GA Blog

8.4.10 Hilltop Estates on Folly Hill in Danvers

According to the Salem News, A failed section of a riprap overlooking Bradley Road in (pictured above) is one of the issues the Danvers Planning Board is looking into when it takes up the Folly Hill luxury housing development next month.

The 38-home Hilltop Estates will be set on a hill of sand and clay, with views of Boston, and includes construction not only on Folly Hill but several at the base of the hill at the end of Ardmore Drive, Garfield Avenue and Bradley Road.

As part of the development, the riprap was built to keep a portion of the hill in place above Bradley Road, but in mid-March, a section of it slid down the hillside, causing concern among residents and town officials. Since the slide, 3 homes have been constructed on Bradley Road, 2 of which flank the section of the wall that collapsed.

Read the entire Salem News article.

8.2.10 Affordable Housing at LePage’s Glue Factory in West Gloucester

The Cape Ann Beacon reports that the Swampscott-based Caleb Foundation and Caleb Group will break ground at a ceremony on July 22nd on Phase III of the Pond View Village housing project at the former LePage’s glue factory in West Gloucester.  Project coordinator Rob Bernardin said the plan calls for 6 one-bedroom apartments at an average rent of $715 per month, 21 two-bedrooms with an average rent of $910 per month, and 7 three-bedrooms with an average rent of $1,208 per month.

The units will be sold as affordable housing for people with income at 60% of the city’s average, with 4 units reserved for people with income at 30% of the average. The Caleb Group will also provide social service coordination for residents, as well as community space and a computer learning center.

Read the entire Cape Ann Beacon article.

7.30.10 Ipswich ZBA Will Rule on Brownville Avenue

According to the Ipswich Chronicle, the Ipswich Zoning Board of Appeals will make a decision on 46 Brownville Avenue at its August 19th hearing.  Property owner Sean Keefe is asking for a variance to create two lots out of the Brownville property – the existing house would remain on one lot along with the two-car garage. The other lot, now the yard, would have two townhouses with first floors above one-car garages.

A variance is needed because there is not enough street frontage on Brownville Avenue for two lots without demolishing the lot’s 75 year-old house.  The lot is deeper than it is wide.

Read the entire Ipswich Chronicle article.

7.22.10 Gloucester Preservation Awards

The Gloucester Historical Commission recognized several individuals and organizations during its annual Gloucester Preservation Awards ceremony held recently at the Cape Ann Museum. The accolades went to people and organizations that have made significant contributions to the preservation, protection, awareness and documentation of Gloucester’s long history.  Recipients for building renovation included:

• 4 Walker St. - E. Bonnie Akerley
• The Rudder Restaurant - Charlie and Jeanne Boland and Ginger Attaya
• Saunders House - Sawyer Free Library
• 304 Main St. - David Campbell
• 85-87 Prospect St. - David and Donna Lee Christensen
• 18 Western Ave. - Robert Dargon
• Action Energy Building, the former Forbes School and GAR, Hall, 47 Washington St.
• Action Shelter, 180 Main St.
• 705 Washington St. - Julianne Mackey
• 505 Washington St. - David Rosen and Laura Harrington
• Rogers Street School Condominium - 24 Elm St., Robert Wolfe
• 17 Conant Ave. - Gregg Zoske and George Hall

Read the Cape Ann Beacon - http://www.wickedlocal.com/gloucester/news/x242417113/Historical-Commission-honors-20-at-awards-ceremony

7.19.10 Housing in Old Salem Jail – Restaurant & Museum to Follow

After beginning in December 2006, the renovation of the Old Salem Jail in Salem, Mass is nearing completion.  According to the Salem Gazette, developer New Boston Ventures finished its renovation earlier this year and held its first open house a few weeks ago.  An estimated 3,000 people came to see the refurbished jail and within a little more than a week, 21 of the 23 available units had been leased out.

The original plan for the redevelopment was to turn the jail into condo units available for purchase, but the economic crash changed the plan to a minimum of 5-year rentals, with current residents having a right of first refusal to purchase their unit with part of their rent from their lease term being applied to the purchase price.  The condo units, which range in size from 800 to 2,600 square feet and rent from $1,200 to $2,600, have 12- to 15-foot high ceilings and views of the North River. There are 30 parking spaces included as part of the project’s footprint, mostly for use of the Old Salem Jail’s residents.

New Boston Ventures founder David Goldman said the restaurant on the ground floor of the building will be opening soon and will be called — appropriately — The Great Escape.  The restaurant, much like the condo building itself, will embrace the history of the jail, incorporating old jail cell doors and other historical decor throughout the dining area.

There will be a public museum open seven days a week that displays all of the history of the building that Goldman didn’t incorporate into the condos. It will have its own entrance separate of the residential entrance and the hours of operation have yet to be determined.  Also, some space in the building will be reserved to act as an artist’s studio, too.

Read the entire Salem Gazette article.

7.9.10 Ipswich Affordable Housing Development Begins

The Salem News reports that construction has begun on Powder House Village apartments, which will be made available to people who make less than 60% of the median household income in Ipswich.  Individuals who make less than $35,340 and families making less than $50,460 will be eligible. The project consists of:

• 12 one-bedroom apartments
• 24 two-bedroom apartments
• 12 three-bedroom apartments
• Commercial space
• Space for a YMCA child care center

For additional information, describing the 8-year battle to get the project approved and funded, including a 140-condition comprehensive permit, 37 meetings, about a half-dozen site visits, and a stack of paperwork 2 feet high, read the entire Salem News article.