Housing Headlines

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.

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.

AMESBURY --- Officials will confer with the town's attorney this week to determine their next legal steps after recent state court decisions ruled in favor of two Chapter 40B housing proposals totalling over 300 units.

FALL RIVER --- The plan to raze and replace the 100-unit Watuppa Heights housing project with 60 units of homeownership and rental housing has drawn criticism from the city council, who fear many of the units will be filled by non-Fall River residents.

SUDBURY --- The Greater Worcester Habitat for Humanity plans to partner with the Sudbury Housing Authority on a 40B effort that will create a duplex with one two- and one three-bedroom home, and be affordable to families earning up to 50 percent of the area median income, which is $42,900 for a household of four.

HINGHAM --- A warrant article to create smart growth zoning districts for two housing proposals was defeated earlier this month when the measure did not get the necessary two-thirds majority. Town meeting voted 145-118 in favor of creating a 40R district for a town-owned parcel on Beal St. and a Lincoln St. site owned by the development company Avalon Bay. Despite the vote, a planning board member predicted that both projects will be built.