Newton Chooses Developers For Armory Affordable Housing Project

Newton MA

17 December, 2021

4:28 PM

Description

NEWTON, MA — The City of Newton has chosen two developers for the West Newton Armory affordable housing project, set to be completed in 2025. According to Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, the city chose to partner with Metro West Collaborative Development, a Newton-based non-profit affordable housing developer, and Civico Development, a for-profit housing developer that has built local community-focused mixed-income housing, out of seven total proposals. The two developers worked together to present a proposal that includes 43 units available for intergenerational family housing. These apartments will be affordable to residents with incomes that range between 30 and 60 percent of Newton's median income. "I pulled together a nine-member Evaluation Committee to assess thoroughly the seven proposals which had a variety of types of tenants, designs, number of apartments and bedrooms, site plans and more," said Fuller in a statement. "The Committee included Newton residents and staff with affordable housing development, design, and supportive services expertise. They spent the last two months analyzing each proposal, interviewing each proposer and reading the insightful public comments submitted by residents and community groups. They found the Metro West/Civico proposal to be the solid winner." The armory, located at 1135 Washington Street, housed the Massachusetts State National Guard for over 100 years. After the National Guard decommissioned the building, they transferred control of it to the state's Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) and it was offered to the City of Newton with the caveat that it could be used only for 100% permanently affordable housing. According to the proposal, the historic front of the building will be preserved with an addition build behind it. Parking will be provided underground and the building will be environmentally sensitive as an all-electric building with solar on the roof. Support services will also be available for the residents. Tthe Metro West Collaborative Development and Civico Development teams will be discussing the project at a public Zoom meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. Log-in details will be available in the coming weeks. To view the proposal, click here.