Housing Headlines

SPRINGFIELD --- A big part of the foreclosure story is how abandoned and foreclosed properties can impact neighborhoods, and another example of this took place in Springfield this week as a fire swept through an abandoned house for the second time in a week, causing the evacuation of nearby homes. Scroll down this page for similar stories in Quincy and Weymouth.

WEYMOUTH --- After two vacant buildings burned down days apart, officials in Weymouth are monitoring other possible targets. Mayor Sue Kay has asked that vacant buildings be mapped and monitored after fires claimed the former Grange Hall and a 19th century Victorian home.

SPRINGFIELD ---- An Illinois-based bank is making significant repairs and improvements to an apartment block on Belmont Avenue, which was left without heat in December and abandoned by its prior owner, lawyers said.

EASTON --- The property where developer Nick Mirrione planned to introduce cottage-style starter homes to Massachusetts was sold last week at a foreclosure auction, just a few days before the town was set to rule on the developer's 40B proposal.

QUINCY --- At least one residential home, a failed condo project and a former pizza parlor would make a "dirty dozen" list of blighted properties that the city would like to see repaired by property owners.

WORCESTER --- Following through on earlier discussions as to whether the downtown needs to emphasize more market-rate housing, the city has designated Quincy-based Acorn Management as its preferred developer for the former Lincoln Square Boys Club building. Acorn intends to redevelop the building into 28 market-rate housing units.