Mayor Menino Announces Groundbreakings for ARRA-funded Competitive Grant Projects
October 4, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced today four groundbreakings at Boston Housing Authority developments that have been made possible through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). In September of last year, the BHA was awarded $40 million in competitive ARRA grants which is being used to upgrade four buildings at the Cathedral and Bromley Heath developments, redevelop a portion of the Old Colony development and create a Services Center for Frail Elders at the Amory Street housing development
“This is an excellent opportunity for us to improve our residents’ quality of life and to put people back to work,” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “The city of Boston is leading the way in developing green affordable housing opportunities.”
At Cathedral in the South End, approximately $11 million will be used to upgrade 56 units across three buildings through an innovative greening program. Improvements will include new kitchens and baths, a new high-efficiency heating and hot water system and other energy efficient enhancements. Construction will be completed in September 2011.
About $3 million will be used to rehabilitate a severely distressed building at the Bromley-Heath development in Jamaica Plain. Those fifteen units (including three handicap-accessible) will receive green upgrades and new floor plans. Work at Bromley Heath will begin October 6 and will be completed by September 2012.
The BHA and the Upham’s Elder Services Plan (USEP) and a Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), will use approximately $4 million to create a PACE center for frail elders at its Amory Street Elderly/Disabled development in Jamaica Plain. The funding will enable the BHA and the UESP to develop a full-service center serving the needs of frail elders and people with disabilities who are over the age of 55. Services to residents will include primary care, specialty care, dental and eye care, prescription drugs, home health services, rehabilitative services, nutrition, respite care, and transportation assistance. There will be no cost to residents. In the main building, the project will include renovating approximately 7,000 square feet of former BHA administrative offices into common space and the creation of 12 apartments for an on-site 24 hour care center to support the needs of frail elders.
“It’s very exciting to able to provide quality housing and services that can help our elderly residents age in place,” BHA Administrator William McGonagle said. “The ARRA funding has allowed us to make upgrades that might not have been possible otherwise.”
The remaining $22 million, along with investment from the City of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, MassHousing working in partnership with the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, and private equity investment, will enable BHA and Beacon Communities to redevelop a portion of the Old Colony site into innovative, high-efficiency affordable housing for current residents. Old Colony Phase One will entail the demolition of 164 existing distressed units and the construction of 116 new affordable rental units. Also included in this Phase One portion of the transaction will be a new 10,000 square foot community center and outdoor recreation space. Phase One will be completed in 2012.
These four projects are estimated to create 197 jobs. Thus far, the City has received $73 million in ARRA funding for BHA projects. A $33 million formula-based grant funded a number of other projects. Those projects include $10 million for the construction of 100 affordable, energy-efficient units at Washington Beech in Roslindale, as well as $4 million for the renovation of 213 bathrooms in Charlestown and $3.8 million for 152 bathrooms and kitchens at the Mary Ellen McCormack development.
Contact:
Mayor’s Press Office
Press.Office (at) cityofboston (dot) gov
