Housing Headlines

EAST BOSTON --- A Chelsea-based real estate developer recently announced plans to convert a former Catholic high school into 25 to 30 condominium units. The complex will consist of studios and one- and two-bedroom units with up to five units designated as affordable. If the project is approved by the Boston Redevelopment Authority and the city's Inspectional Services Department, the developer predicts that the building could be ready for occupancy in the spring of 2012.

LEOMINSTER --- Twin Cities Community Development Corporation recently announced that construction is set to begin as soon as early spring on the conversion of a former paper-box factory into 40 units of affordable housing. The project is being paid for through a combination of federal funds, historic tax credits from the Massachusetts Historical Commission, and local grants.

PAXTON --- Developers of the Muir Meadow housing development recently outlined their plans to the Board of Selectmen. The project is set to include 87 units on a 58-acre site off 203 Pleasant Street with a certain number of units set aside as affordable units.

BOSTON --- The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) recently approved two new residential projects in two Boston neighborhoods. The 319 A Street project, in South Boston's Innovation District, will bring 184 new rental apartments to the area, 24 of which will be designated as affordable for residents below a certain income level. The project will also include the creation of 27 "innovation housing" units intended for individuals whose income is too high to qualify for formally restricted affordable housing units but who are often priced out of the housing market. The second approved project, 9-23 Griggs Street, will transform a former garage in Allston into 100 new residents units.

LEOMINSTER --- A re-opening ceremony was recently held for the Silver Leaf Terrace affordable housing project which recently underwent an $8 million renovation. The renovation of 216 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, spread out over seven buildings, was done while tenants remained in their homes. The renovations included new carpeting, paint, upgrades to bathrooms, and new flooring as well as exterior upgrades.

WORCESTER --- The development company converting the former Worcester Vocational School into 28 market-rate apartments recently announced that construction on the project could begin as soon as January. Acorn Management Co. has received the blessing of the city's zoning and planning boards and if they receive their building permit soon construction could wrap up sometime next summer.