Housing Headlines

PLYMOUTH --- One month before its special permit was to expire, the plannng board granted A.D. Makepeace a two-year extension on River Run, a mixed-use village project that is expected to include a full-service YMCA, retail and office space, an assisted living facility, approximately 1,175 homes in a variety of styles, a water treatment plant and 1,600 acres of open space.

WORCESTER --- Church officials are considering converting the former Ascension Church on Vernon Hill into 35 units of affordable housing for seniors. An application for federal grant money to assist with construction costs will be submitted sometime next month.

ARLINGTON --- In an attempt to end a stalemate over how much money should be paid to buy out of the town's affordable housing requirement, the new developer of the former Symmes Hospital site has said he would abandon the 115-unit townhouse proposal and would instead build 200 rental apartments.

FITCHBURG --- The state college continues its effort to connect its campus with the downtown by demolishing or rehabilitating buildings. A commercial building has been torn down, an apartment building is next and another apartment building has been turned into office space for the school's exercise and sports programs.

SOMERVILLE --- Governor Patrick recently announced that the state has issued $10 million in funding for the Assembly Square project. When the completed the "Assembly on the Mystic" project will revitalize a 66.5 acre neglected industrial site into a mixed-use, transit-orientated development with 18 buildings, 2,100 residential units, 1.8 million square feet of office space, 1.1 million square feet of retail space, and a 160-200 room hotel.

HINGHAM --- Without debate, Hingham voters at April's annual town meeting unanimously OK'd spending $250,000 in Community Preservation Act funds for a veteran's home. The home at 111-113 Fort Hill St. will house six veterans and will be managed and owned by Father Bill's Place and MainSpring, Quincy-based non-profit. Further funding for the $1.3 million project includes $825,000 in government grants and loans, a $90,000 mortgage with a private lender and $50,000 from Hingham's affordable housing trust. Father Bill's still needs to raise a little more than $135,000 for the project.