Housing Headlines

FALL RIVER --- Liberty Affordable Housing of Rome New York has begun construction on turning the old granite Knitting Mill on Alden St. into 100 apartments for people 55 and older. It's the nonprofit company's first foray into Massachusetts and a big reason why is that the former mill owner and housing company's founder are both Colgate University graduates, as is architect Lee Woltman, who has done a lot of work for Liberty and who is also a Fall River native who went to Durfee High.

WORCESTER --- The healthy Massachusetts economy is having an impact on Worcester, where it's estimated that outside investors are poised to pour more than $300 million into the city's central core and nearby neighborhoods for housing and economic development. Business reporter Lisa Eckelberger pens an extensive rundown of all the players, from Trinity Financial's first foray into the city to Franklin Realty of Wellesley to companies that specialize in building housing just for students.

SUDBURY --- B'nai B'rith Housing Executive Director Susan Gittelman hopes to break ground on the second phase of Coolidge at Sudbury in 2019, providing the company can secure necessary state and federal funding to go forward with 56 additional units that is expected to keep Sudbury's supply of affordable housing above 10 percent in time for the 2020 census.

NEWBURYPORT --- The City Council voted favorably on two zoning measures recently, approving an inclusionary bylaw that require developments of six units or more to be at least 12 percent affordable, and okaying a second measure that reduces the size of multifamily districts in the historic North and South ends.

HOPKINTON --- The developer of the former Weston Nurseries - now known as Legacy Farms - is facing a $500,000 payment to the town as part of an agreement that calls for the covering of school costs if the development attracts more than 250 students to the schools in the first six years. As of Oct. 1, the school department is reporting that the development has added 207 students. Selectmen Chairman John Coutinho said the development will likely exceed the 250 students by 2019 six-year deadline, but the houses are selling for much more than anticipated. “The revenue it is bringing in is significantly more than the town ever expected,” he said.

FOXBORO --- The town's affordable housing trust is planning to allocate $50,000 to do preliminary feasibility work that would determine how the town would seek development proposals on its desire to see 90 senior apartments develop on former state land on Walnut Street.