Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- New York-based Citi Foundation recently awarded $100,000 to both Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation and Somerville Community Corporation to build low-income housing and improve access to public transportation in their neighborhoods. In total, Citi Foundation provided more than $2 million in grants to 20 urban communities.

WEYMOUTH --- Last month, Hingham developer William Barry proposed the conversion of a 105-year old town landmark into 38 condos and 7,000 square feet of office space. Of the 38 residential units, eight would be designated as affordable homebuyer opportunities. The renovation of the Clapp Memorial Building is contingent on a 40R Smart Growth zoning change in addition to the application being approved by state housing officials. The town and developer hope to receive the state's decision by the end of the month.

MAYNARD --- The state agency considering whether to grant Avalon Bay a permit to develop 198 apartments in Maynard has received a letter of support for the project from the town's board of selectmen.

WELLESLEY --- The Zoning Board of Appeals recently granted developer Michael J. Connolly preliminary approval for a 5-unit, 40B condominium project at Hillside Road and Washington Street. Last January, the board of selectmen voiced their opposition to the project and indicated they would wait until the zoning board issues its final conditions of approval before deciding whether to exercise any options they might have to stop the project.

SHREWSBURY --- AvalonBay Communities developers recently informed town manager Daniel Morgado that the large Shrewsbury Hills project will be put on hold and re-evaluated after the first of the year. AvalonBay principal Michael Roberts noted that "the adverse credit markets have cause [the] company to rethink the project." Selectmen gave AvalonBay the approval to go ahead with its plans and the state granted site eligibility, but the developers never applied for a comprehensive permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Shrewsbury Hills would be a 444-unit mixed income rental community on 36.4 acres off CenTech Boulevard and Green Street.

NORTH ANDOVER --- At the end of December, Avalon Properties informed the town that they will no longer develop 530 affordable rental units on 32 acres of vacant land located at Osgood Landing. Scott Dale, vice president of development for Avalon Properties, told the Eagle-Tribune that the project was a victim of the housing market collapse and inability to reach an agreement with property owner Orit Goldstein. The breakdown of the development deal is blow to the town because they have already received and committed $600,000 from the state for approving a zoning change on the property to allow a mix of affordable housing and retail uses. The town will have to pay back the money if the land is not developed within the next few years.