Housing Headlines

SOUTH BOSTON --- The Old Colony public housing development recently received more than $22 million in redevelopment funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Old Colony site is comprised of more than 16 acres, with 873 apartments in 22 three-story, brick walk-up buildings. The "green" redevelopment funding is set to add 150 new units of housing and a new community center in phase one. Construction is expected to begin in late fall of 2010 with a completion date of summer 2012.

BOSTON --- The Boston Redevelopment Authority recently approved two redevelopment projects in South Boston and West Roxbury. The Distillery project consists of the redevelopment of a former rum distillery into 65 residential units, some of which will be artist live-work lofts. The Gordon's Wood project consists of the redevelopment a former nursing home into 42 new homeownership units, with five units designated as affordable. Both projects are expected to begin construction sometime in the next year.

ANDOVER --- Developer Todd Wacome recently applied to build 32 three-bedroom townhouses in the southern section of town, despite the zoning board's initial rejection of the project in January. The Taylor Cove development would cluster 32 townhouses in a mix of two and three-unit buildings, with each unit consisting of three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, and an attached two-car garage. Eight townhouse units would be designated as affordable. The next ZBA meeting to discuss the Taylor Cove Development is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.

FRAMINGHAM --- Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly recent announced that they have secured all funding for the new construction of a 150-unit affordable senior housing complex on Edmands Road. The project received federal stimulus funds from the state in addition to $6.6 million in tax credit investments from the Brookline Bank and the Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation (MHIC).

SCITUATE --- Developer Merrill Diamond recently submitted an informal proposal to build an affordable housing project on the former Pier 44 site. The 40B project, proposed under a local-initiative process involving input from town officials, will feature two 14-unit buildings with six or seven units reserved as affordable.

SOUTHBOROUGH --- Developer Robert Heavey recently proposed the construction of 16 homebuyer units off Oak Hill Road at Route 9. The 40B project would consist of five duplex units and two, three-unit buildings, with four units designated as affordable. The local zoning board of appeals is currently reviewing the project and will conduct a public meeting in October.