Housing Headlines

PROVINCETOWN --- Officials are weighing two proposals from developers to build 45-50 affordable units on 2.5 acres of town-owned land at Shank Painter Road. Currently the largest affordable housing project in town consists of 24 units, though the need for affordable rental units is 200 to 250, according to a 2006 affordable housing study.

ROCHESTER --- A meeting between the zoning board and a local developer reached an impasse when the parties disagreed over developer-paid consultants for the town. The developer, Charles Tringale, has an agreement to purchase land and plans to build a 144-unit townhouse project off Featherbed Lane.

WESTPORT --- The town will receive $201,000 to clean up contaminated soil at Noquochoke Village, the site of a proposed 54-unit housing development that will include up to 24 affordable units.

CHICOPEE --- The owner of Ames Privilege plans on adding 46 apartments to the 94-unit apartment complex on Springfield Street in downtown, bringing the project full circle. The former mill was converted into a 138-unit apartment complex in 1985. Three years later, 44 of the apartments in the southeastern wing had to be vacated because the floors had wood rot. Now 20 years later, new owners, HallKeen, are prepared to gut and renovate that wing and add 46 one- and two-bedroom units to the complex at a total project cost of $9.8 million.

BROOKFIELD --- A proposed $31.5 million affordable housing project on 111 acres at Rice Corner Road is still on despite the recent death of developer Todd M. Marsh and his wife Michelle last month in a car accident. Selectmen say project engineer Scott D. Charpentier told them he had met with the Marsh family and it was agreed that the 144-unit 40B project would go forward.

NEEDHAM --- The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is considering building 60 housing units at the Needham Heights commuter rail station. They recently held a workshop to encourage community participation and have another meeting planned for June 12 at Avery Crossing. The project would include affordable units as well as underground parking.