Housing Headlines

GREAT BARRINGTON --- RiverSchool Development LLC recently announced that they will soon launch a $19 million redevelopment project to convert the former Searles-Bryant school facility into a mixed-use development comprised of office, living, and retail spaces. The developers plan to construct 40 condominium units, with 16 units designated as affordable.

HYANNIS --- Despite urgings from the police chief and a state senator to close or reduce beds at a Hyannis homeless shelter, Housing Assistance Corp. Executive Director Ric Presbrey told a downtown organization that his board has voted not to reduce the number of beds unless the need for homeless shelter beds lessens.

LYNN --- A local developer who had originally planned to build 156 condominiums and then adjusted into an rent-to-own scenario when the real estate market slumped has now put his project on hold and has withdrawn his request to seek a special permit from the city council.

NEWTON --- A plan to redevelop a Rt. 9 Chestnut Hill property that has been vacant since a fire several years ago has raised the ire of nearby Brookline residents who fear a back road leading to the site will bring traffic to their neighborhood. Newton-based New England Development hopes to build a one-story retail building along Route 9, an eight-story residential building behind it and two retail/office buildings behind that.

BELMONT --- About 50 residents appeared at a recent selectman's meeting to urge the town to continue to fight a Pennsylvania company's plan to build 299 units in the northeast corner of town known as the 'Uplands." Back in April, the Department of Environmental Protection gave indications that the proposal does not violate enviromental standards and this is likely to be the basis of a final ruling that will deny the appeals of local activists and local boards, who have been arguing that the project would damage the environment, ruin trees and cause flooding.

CHICOPEE --- Developers have asked the city for an permit extension on their $28 million plan to redevelop the former Cabotville mill into 227 one-bedroom condominiums.