Housing Headlines

LOWELL --- The Coalition for a Better Acre recently announced plans to convert the former site of St. Joseph's High School into 22 affordable-housing units. The $4 million project will consist of one, two and three-bedroom units with renovations slated to begin in the summer of 2009. CBA Project Manager Jeff Fugate stated that they hope to preserve as much of the Merrimack Street building as possible.

MANCHESTER --- The Zoning Board of Appeals is weighing a 40B proposal to turn a large indoor horse riding arena into a 40-unit condominium project, with 10 of the units slated to be affordable. Called Coolidge Commons, developers plan one 24-unit three-story building and four four-unit townhouses. Town selectmen have expressed concerns about the potential run-off from the Summer St. site and additional bacterial contamination of the nearby water.

HALIFAX --- Developers of the proposed Blackledge Farm project officially filed a 40B application with the Zoning Board of Appeals this week, two years after the project was first introduced to the town. The project would consist of 104 units, 26 of which would be marked affordable, in 52 duplexes. This is the first privately developed 40B project to advance to the town's ZBA, and they are seeking a state grant to hire a consultant for assistance in advancing the project. The board will open a hearing to all interested residents on November 10 at 8:30 p.m. in the Great Hall at Town Hall.

HINGHAM --- Earlier this month, Trammell Crow Residential developers outlined a seven-building 40B apartment complex proposal to the Zoning Board of Appeals. The $50 million development on Recreation Park Drive would consist of 248 rental units with 25 percent being affordable from $1,126 a month for a one-bedroom to $1,351 for a two-bedroom. Residents and town employees would receive first priority in renting the affordable units. Neighbors say they object to the proposal because of its size and "intrusiveness in a single-family-home neighborhood."

HINGHAM --- Voters authorized a $7 million municipal bond issue to buy the Lincoln Apartments in a special town meeting this week. The federal and state funded complex consists of 60 units of affordable housing for seniors and disabled residents. Town ownership ensures that the apartments will remain affordable in the future.

LAWRENCE ---The Washington Mills lofts developers were recognized recently by The National Trust for Historic Preservation for bringing "new life" to a depressed community. The president of the National Trust noted, "This project has demonstrated in remarkable fashion how historic preservation can be a real catalyst for downtown revitalization." Ten percent of the apartments have been set aside as "affordable" with reduced rents based on income levels. MHP helped to finance the project with a $13.25 million dollar loan approved in January of 2007.