Housing Headlines

SPRINGFIELD --- The city continued to target blighted buildings in the Old Hill section yesterday, knocking down an automotive garage that had fallen into city hands due to back taxes. At the demolition ceremony, Mayor Charles V. Ryan said this and other sites would be turned into housing and added the city will next set its sights on blighted buildings in the North End neighborhood.

EASTHAMPTON --- The city is considering whether it should adopt a state-created zoning provision that creates "smart growth districts." So far, nine parcels in the city have been identified as qualifying because of their proximity to transportation, water and sewer infrastructure or both.

IPSWICH --- Following a non-binding town meeting vote, selectmen have asked residents how to proceed in resuming discussions with the local YMCA over its proposed 48-unit affordable housing proposal. The project has been stalled for over two years by groups wanting to see the project's size reduced.

CHELMSFORD --- The housing authority director believes the town can use Community Preservation Act funds to spark the transformation of an abandoned 34-acre truancy school site into 100 units of housing. Neighbors agree that something should be done to the property (owned now by UMass-Lowell) but some expressed concern about how housing might impact traffic in the neighborhood.

FITCHBURG --- The Twin Cities Community Development Corp. has received a $130,000 state grant to handle asbestos and lead paint contamination in a downtown building that will be redeveloped into into 31 market-rate and affordable apartments.

NATICK --- The town has received a letter from the state certifying that it has met affordable housing requirements and can reject any 40B proposals through December 31. Despite this, officials are working to compromise with a developer to add 268 more units, which would get the town closer to an affordable housing reprieve until the 2010 census.