Housing Headlines

LAWRENCE --- Mo Vaughn's development company, Omni New York LLC, recently bought the 168-unit affordable apartment complex Sycamore Village. Developers plan to maintain the complex as affordable housing, and invest up to $6 million in renovations.

CHICOPEE --- HallKeen Management Inc. developers are awaiting the distribution of additional historic building tax credits to fund the major redevelopment of the 180-year old Ames Privilege building. The project has already received a partial award of $1 million in historic building tax credits to add 46 apartments to the 94 unit complex. The next round of tax credit applications are likely to come out in the spring.

BOSTON --- New York-based Citi Foundation recently awarded $100,000 to both Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation and Somerville Community Corporation to build low-income housing and improve access to public transportation in their neighborhoods. In total, Citi Foundation provided more than $2 million in grants to 20 urban communities.

WEYMOUTH --- Last month, Hingham developer William Barry proposed the conversion of a 105-year old town landmark into 38 condos and 7,000 square feet of office space. Of the 38 residential units, eight would be designated as affordable homebuyer opportunities. The renovation of the Clapp Memorial Building is contingent on a 40R Smart Growth zoning change in addition to the application being approved by state housing officials. The town and developer hope to receive the state's decision by the end of the month.

MAYNARD --- The state agency considering whether to grant Avalon Bay a permit to develop 198 apartments in Maynard has received a letter of support for the project from the town's board of selectmen.

WELLESLEY --- The Zoning Board of Appeals recently granted developer Michael J. Connolly preliminary approval for a 5-unit, 40B condominium project at Hillside Road and Washington Street. Last January, the board of selectmen voiced their opposition to the project and indicated they would wait until the zoning board issues its final conditions of approval before deciding whether to exercise any options they might have to stop the project.