Housing Headlines

SCITUATE --- In an effort to simplify zoning and avoid strip mall-type growth in the town's Greenbush neighborhood, town officials last month presented a zoning initiative that would encourage mixed-use development and better control commercial development that residents say is changing the character of the neighborhood.

WEYMOUTH --- While residents acknowledge the progress - 1,200 homes, athletic fields and jobs coming in - some residents on and off the former South Weymouth Naval Air Base wonder if Union Point will ever realize its promise of becoming the urban oasis as developer LStar has yet to attract one permanent store or business into the ground floor commercial space as of June 9, when reporter Jessica Trufant wrote this feature.

BOSTON --- Boston Medical Center's decision to invest $800,000 to help stabilize a long-neglected Dorchester apartment building is part of a $6.5 million investment the hospital is making in housing around the city. The investment is part of a state requirement tied to BMC's expansion. "Only about 10 to 20 percent of health is actually determined by what type of health care you get," says Dr. Megan Sandel, one of the leaders of BMC’s housing initiative. "Much more [significant are] the social determinants of health -- where you live, what your environment is like."

WORCESTER --- Following a narrow 6-5 city council vote against putting the Community Preservation Act on the November ballot, proponents have turned their attention to gathering 5,400 signatures to get the measure on the ballot via the initiative petition process. Joseph C. O’Brien, a former mayor, city councilor and a member of the Yes for a Better Worcester Coalition is hopeful, given that a survey showed 82.7 percent of voters support putting CPA on the ballot.

LAWRENCE --- Gov. Charlie Baker joined with local officials on July 9 to celebrate the grand opening of 55 market-rate apartments at the Wood Mill, the latest effort by developer and restaurateur Sal Lupoli to transform the massive mill site into a bustling mixed-use development known as the Riverwalk. According to Lupoli, Riverwalk today boasts 2.6 million square feet of space and is home to 5,000 employees in about 200 businesses. It also features 260 apartments.

WEYMOUTH --- In late june, the city's zoning board of appeals approved plans by Chris DiMambro of LT&E Properties to consolidate five Main St. lots, demolish the buildings and construct a five-story building that will include 153 one- and two-bedroom apartments, 210 parking spaces and 7,000 square feet of commercial space.