Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- The Home Depot Foundation recently granted $50,000 to Roxbury-based Urban Edge developers to help support the "green" renovation of Jamaica Plain Apartments. The complex consists of 104 affordable multi-family units in Jamaica Plain and Dorchester. The grant money will be used to purchase and install a solar-thermal hot water system, supplying 80 percent of the residents' hot water needs. To date, Urban Edge has developed and preserved over 1,360 units of affordable housing.

BOSTON --- Last month, Columbia Point neighbors gathered to view the progress on the Boston Redevelopment Authority master plan for the area. Developers Corcoran Jennison proposed to build 900 residential apartments along with hundreds of thousands of square feet for office, hotel and retail space in the Bayside on the Point development. The other proposed developer, Synergy, would add as many as 700 apartments and incorporate workplaces and shopping outlets in the development. Comments from several neighborhood meetings will be gathered and will help guide the task force in creating future development guidelines.

NORTHAMPTON --- Earlier this month, Valley CDC purchased a gutted downtown building to be converted into eight one-room apartments for homeless or low-income people with commercial space on the first floor. Valley CDC is currently pursuing financing from the Department of Housing and Community Development as well as city CPA funds and Smith College.

MARBLEHEAD --- At the January 28 selectmen's meeting, members gave initial approval to a plan that would develop two 40R smart-growth zoning sites for affordable housing. The proposed projects would be mixed-income with 20 percent of each development designated for affordable housing. Selectmen are awaiting DHCD authorization before the plan can move forward.

WESTFORD --- The ZBA and developers of the proposed 208-unit Graniteville Woods condominium development recently identified issues and considerations requiring more research before a 40B permit is issued by the town. The board expressed particular concern about earth and gravel removal at the project and the proposed hours of construction. More information about the project's next step will be provided at the February ZBA meeting.

WESTFIELD --- Domus Inc. will soon open 21 rental apartments for low to moderate income residents at the former site of the Sanford Whip Factory. The development will consist of 15 studio units and six one-bedroom units, as well as two community rooms and an educational room with computers. Funding for this project came from state and Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC) funds.