Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- The Abbey Group developers recently proposed the new construction of a 16-story building complex to include retail, office, and residential units on Boylston Street near Fenway Park. The 210 residential units would range from studio to three-bedroom units with 21 units designated as affordable for residents earning below a certain income criteria. If approved, construction of the project would begin in late 2012.

LEOMINSTER --- Construction on 40 affordable rental units is set to begin at the former Whitney & Co. paper-box factory building in the French Hill neighborhood. Once construction begins, the project is expected to take a year to complete.

EASTON --- Two projects recently received project eligibility letters (PEL) to move forward with plans to build affordable rental housing in town. The first proposed project, called Welsch Woods, will consist of 26 town homes on 10 acres of land. The second project, Sawmill Village, will include 44 town homes on 13 acres of land.

CAMBRIDGE --- Construction was recently completed on Just-A-Start Corporation's Elm Place development. The four-story building will feature retail space on the first floor and 19 affordable rental apartments. The project includes a 24 kilowatt solar power plant and is expected to be award a LEED Gold designation. Developers celebrated the project's ribbon cutting last week and tenants are expected to move in soon.

SOUTHBOROUGH --- The ZBA recently approved a 40B project to be built by developer Robert Heavey. The project will consist of 16 housing units, four of which will be designated as affordable, on a 2.5 acre lot behind Walgreens on Oak Hill Road.

HAMILTON --- Developers recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new affordable housing project called Firehouse Place at 69 Willow Street. The project, a former firehouse, will house the Acord Food Pantry on its ground floor plus four affordable residential units. The project was the first in town to receive Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds. Work on the project is expected to be completed later this year.