Housing Headlines

SOMERVILLE --- Governor Patrick recently joined with state, federal, and local leaders to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Clarendon Hill Tower construction project. When completed, the three high-rise buildings that make up Clarendon Hill Tower development will contain 501 renovated units of housing, including units reserved for low-income households and 25 handicap accessible units. Renovations will also be completed on the common lobby, corridor areas, pavement, sidewalks, and plantings on the parking deck.

WORCESTER --- A development entity financially backed by Worcester-based Hanover Insurance Group Inc. has completed its purchase of downtown properties slated to become part of CitySquare; a proposed development of offices, stores and housing.

PLYMOUTH --- The local chamber of commerce recently held a bus tour aimed at highlighting more than 30 local properties available for development. The tour featured some stalled projects --- the 55-plus Summer Ridge and the Copper Cove condo projects for example --- as well as the 1,200-unit Pinehills development, which generates more than $7 million in annual property taxes and has room for another 1,800 housing units.

SPENCER --- Faced with budget cuts, the Spencer selectmen have voted to authorizie the sharing of a town planner with neighboring Leicester. Spencer will get 15 hours of services from Leicster's experienced planner for $26,000, far less than the $82,000 the town has spent for a full-time planner.

BERLIN --- Developers Matthew and Christopher Senie recently launched a new $60 million mixed-use development, Riverbridge, with construction to begin in the fall. The 470,000 square-foot development will consist of 130,000 square feet for commercial uses, 167,000 square feet for 115 residential units, and 175,000-square-feet for an assisted living and retirement center. More than 84 of the 115 residential units will be designated as affordable for residents earning below 80 percent of the area median income.

HYANNIS --- Two days after surprising a downtown organization audience with news that his board had voted not to cut back on homeless shelter beds until the need is reduced, the head of the housing agency that runs the 60-bed facility said the shelter has been used as a scapegoat for Hyannis' problems.