Housing Headlines

FALL RIVER --- The development team of Tony Cordeiro, Larry Couto and Alan Macomber have reason to be happy as 90 of the 103 market-rate apartments at the renovated Quaker Mill have been leased up as of grand opening week, more than double what they expected. Developers say the new mixed-use waterfront development - which boasts a Jerry Remy Sports Bar, second floor offices and apartments on the top three floors - are attracting a mix of millennials and empty-nesters.

HAMILTON --- Enlisted by the town but thwarted by abutters, Harborlight Community Partners has made what's being termed a final development offer, proposing to develop 20 apartments for seniors on a Willow St. parcel and 40 apartments for families on a parcel near the regional high school, down from the 118 the nonprofit proposed for that site a year ago. Harborlight has site control over part of the latter site but said it would cede control by the end of the summer if the town declines to support a development there.

SOMERVILLE --- Demonstrating that keeping Somerville diverse and affordable isn't just about housing, the Somerville Community Corp.'s recent summer newsletter is primarily focused what it is doing to promote access to jobs to further help low- and moderate-income residents keep up with rising home prices and avoid displacement.

BOSTON --- In its ongoing mission to provide workshops on a wide range of topics related to affordable housing and the community development field, the Mel King Institute is sponsoring a 2 1/2 day training in September called "Undoing Racism." The workshop will focus on history, the structure of oppression, defining and sharing culture, and leadership development.

SALEM --- In an effort to promote progress in Salem's "Point" neighborhood and showcase the creativity of its residents, the non-profit North Shore Community Development Corp. is supporting a massive public art project that is allowing street artists to paint murals on 40 of its buildings. Read Yvonne Abraham's column and check out the North Shore CDC video that comes with it.

DORCHESTER --- In a departure from the usual stories where residents express fears that new housing will increase traffic, developer ARX Urban is saying its plan to knock down two Hancock St. auto shops and build 31 units will reduce traffic and are backing it up by including only 22 parking spaces in the project.