Housing Headlines

BELMONT --- About 50 residents appeared at a recent selectman's meeting to urge the town to continue to fight a Pennsylvania company's plan to build 299 units in the northeast corner of town known as the 'Uplands." Back in April, the Department of Environmental Protection gave indications that the proposal does not violate enviromental standards and this is likely to be the basis of a final ruling that will deny the appeals of local activists and local boards, who have been arguing that the project would damage the environment, ruin trees and cause flooding.

CHICOPEE --- Developers have asked the city for an permit extension on their $28 million plan to redevelop the former Cabotville mill into 227 one-bedroom condominiums.

SPRINGFIELD - Three family housing projects managed by the Springfield Housing Authority will get a $15 million makeover to prepare for new ownership by the federal government.

WORCESTER --- Communities in the Worcester area are taking various steps to preserve energy and the City of Worcester included in its plan $300,000 to help buyers of foreclosed properties make their new homes more energy efficient.

BRIGHTON --- Hera Development Corporation recently submitted plans to the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) to construct a mixed-use project on a site bordered by Market, Vineland, and North Beacon Street. The proposed development would include 122 apartments, 219 parking spaces, a 4,700 square foot day care center and 20,400 square feet of commercial space.

BOSTON --- Writing for the Boston Globe editorial page, Harvard University's Edward Glaeser outlines the similarities between Atlanta and Boston and says that the two cities are in competition for young workers in popular growth industries like life sciences. To attract young workers, Glaeser says the greater Boston area must continue to "provide the education, quality of life, and affordable homes."