Housing Headlines

AYER -- State Rep. Sheila Harrington, R-Groton, then state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton, were asked by Ayer selectmen to state whether they support rezoning the vacant Vicksburg Square on Devens to permit a 246 unit apartment complex. Harrington glowingly endorsed the proposal. Eldridge reserved comment.

MEDFIELD --- The Gatehouse Group has agreed to purchase nine acres of land at the intersection of Rt. 27 and West Street and will apply to the town for a Ch. 40B comprehensive permit. The Mansfield based-company, which has built apartment buildings in Walpole, Stoughton and Franklin, hopes to build 96 units of affordable rental housing.

WILLIAMSTOWN --- The town's affordable housing committee has asked the town to allocate over $600,000 in Community Preservation Act funds to support the future acquisition of land for affordable housing development.

NEWTON --- After years of debate, a $300 million-plus transformation of Newton's Riverside Station is poised for a city review. The latest proposal calls for a 575,000 square foot development (down from 700,000), 290 apartments (up from 245) and one office building instead of two. While the new plan addresses neighborhood concerns, some feel the project is too small and will yield far less in new tax revenue than first anticipated.

AGAWAM --- Soldier On is expected to come before the town's zoning board of appeals later this month to seek approval for a Ch. 40B comprenhensive permit that will allow it to proceed with its $12 million housing development for homeless veterans. The Northampton-based nonprofit plans to revampi the former Western Massachusetts Regional Police Academy into 54 studio apartments. Soldier On President Jack Downing hopes to begin construction in July, providing that the nonprofit can obtain its permit and finalize financing.

LUNENBURG --- Lunenburg Housing Authority has reduced its operating costs over the last decade by regionalizing with the Leominster and Sterling housing authorities, according to Eugene J. Capoccia, executive director of the Leominster Housing Authority.