Housing Headlines

BOURNE --- The Great Lakes Hotel Co. for the second time in nine years is expressing interest in developing a 400-room destination facility with a conference center at the CanalSide Commons tract above the Bourne rotary. If the project proves feasible, the developer will talk with CanalSide Commons developer Len Cubellis and see if he is interested in abandoning his proposed Chapter 40B complex of 300 dwellings now being reviewed by the Bourne Board of Appeals.

WORCESTER --- Former members of the Green Island/Vernon Hill Community Development Corporation (CDC) held a meeting this summer to discuss the possibility of regrouping. Inactive since 2004, the meeting was held in part to discuss public comments that the nearby Oak Hill CDC was considering expansion into the neighborhood.

EASTON --- It was voted down at the Town Meeting in May, but developer Nick Mirrione of Mirrione Realty wants an opportunity to change residents' minds about the cottage community bylaw. Mirrione wants to build seven 1000-square foot starter homes on one acre of land.

WEYMOUTH --- Mayor David Madden said he supports a request from a nonprofit group to collect $440,000 in community preservation money to spend on construction of affordable apartments in South Weymouth. The 24-unit building on Pond Street (Route 58) has for years been the subject of intense neighborhood scrutiny and legal appeals.

WORCESTER --- On the eve of the two-year anniversary when the site plan for the $563 million CitySquare redevelopment project was approved, the Planning Board last night voted to extend that approval for yet another year. It was the second such extension the board has voted for the project. The general development agreement reached by the city and the developer, Berkeley Investments calls for enough commitment of tenant space to provide tax revenues to pay for t,he bonds the city will issue for the DIF disbursements. Earlier this year, city officials said Berkeley Investments had about 150,000 feet of space committed in the first specialty office building of 260,000 square feet needed to trigger a release of funds.

WAYLAND --- If a 16-unit affordable housing effort on a former Nike missile site is to move forward, voters must approve to spend an additional $600,000 in Community Preservation Act funds to close the funding gap. In addition to the housing units, 12 acres of land will be conserved through the effort. If it stays on track, the project is expected to be completed by the spring of 2008.