In the December 1 issue of Banker and Tradesman, Dave highlighted Chelsea and Haverhill as two places where workforce housing is getting built and the lessons that successful projects in those cities might mean for the rest of the Commonwealth. To read the article, click here.
Box District Wins National ULI Award
Dave was down in New York City this past week with Ann Houston, Executive Director of The Neighborhood Developers, and Jay Ash, Chelsea's City Manager, at the Urban Land Institute for their Fall Meeting where it was announced that the Box District won the Jack Kemp Excellence in Affordable and Workforce Housing Award which celebrates and promotes the exemplary efforts of real estate and public policy leaders from across the country who are working to expand affordable and workforce housing opportunities.
We are incredibly thankful to all of our partners that helped envision the Box District - Mitchell Properties, the City of Chelsea, and The Neighborhood Developers - for the opportunity to help create this amazing neighborhood. TC provided project management services for Atlas Lofts, the Flats at 44, and the Flats at 22.
(L to R) Jay Ash (City of Chelsea), Dave Traggorth (Traggorth Companies), Ann Houston (The Neighborhood Developers), Marty Jones (MassDevelopment), and Sarah Barnat (ULI New England)
A video of the finalists in the 2014 ULI Terwilliger Center for Housing awards. Learn more about the program and past winners at http://on.uli.org/1yHObRO
Governor Patrick Opens Flats at 44
Last Wednesday morning, Governor Patrick visited the Flats at 44 to cut the ribbon (only four units remain!) and put a shovel in the ground at the Flats at 22 (opening November 2014). The Governor was also joined by Secretary Greg Bialecki, Undersecretary Aaron Gornstein, Senator Sal DiDomenico, Representative Dan Ryan, and Representative RoseLee Vincent.
During his keynote speech at the event, Governor Patrick spoke about making investments like those made in the Box District as a catalyst for growth in Massachusetts. You can read more about his remarks here.
In addition, we honored Rufus Phillips, Peter Hollands, and Kristin Blum who all provided key predevelopment and acquisition loans early in the project when it took a lot more vision to see what was possible.
Both projects expand on the previous successes within the Box District, an award-winning revitalization of a once vacant and blighted industrial area into a vibrant mixed income community. The revitalization was conceived by the City of Chelsea, The Neighborhood Developers, and Mitchell Properties, a highly successful public/non-profit/private partnership formed around this effort. With public and private funding seven new residential properties have been built over the past ten years providing high-quality, safe, and attractive housing for families, young professionals, and retirees. Residents are attracted by the Box District’s proximity to Boston and Cambridge workplaces, transit, and public amenities such as the Box District Park, installed and dedicated in 2013 by the City of Chelsea. In addition, The Flats at 44 is the first building to be completed utilizing the Commonwealth’s Housing Development Incentive Program, a program that provides Gateway Cities like Chelsea with a development tool to increase residential growth, expand diversity of housing stock, support economic development and promote neighborhood stabilization.
Construction for Flats at 44 started in July 2013 and opened to new residents in March 2014. The building offers studios, one-bedrooms, and two-bedroom homes and is over 80% leased. Flats at 22 recently started construction and is anticipated to open in the Fall of 2014. Each apartment comes fully equipped with stainless steel energy efficient appliances, in-home washer/dryer, hardwood flooring, gas cooktop, granite counters, 42” cabinets, 9-foot, and expansive windows. Amenities include a fitness center, a roof deck along and off-street covered parking.
Box District Living
What makes living in the Box District so appealing? It's really about the value for your money and finding a place that balances a small neighborhood feel with all the conveniences of an urban location.
For example, in the Box District you can:
- Live 15 minutes away from Haymarket/North End in Downtown Boston with your monthly rent for a brand NEW one-bedroom with 9' ceilings, energy efficient systems, hardwood floors, and a roof deck for around $1,600/month. See www.flatsat44.com or www.atlas-lofts.com for more information about leasing opportunities now available.
- Be on major public transportation lines such as the 111 to Haymarket (click here) which connects you directly to the Orange and Green T Lines, or the 116 to Maverick Station (click here) which connects you directly to the Blue Lines. Oh, and let us not forget the Commuter Rail Stop in Chelsea. It's one stop into North Station along with all the points North.
- Live steps away from eateries where foodies come from miles away to visit, such as Fusion Foods (read a great recent review here) or the Mystic Brewery (their website is here). For all those everyday needs, there is Home Depot and Market Basket around the corner.
- Become part of a community that really cares about each other and is absolutely intent on become a better place to live. How about movies in the park across the street with your neighbors or great organizations such as The Neighborhood Developers as your neighbor? That's all happening in the Box District as we speak.
To give you a better sense of how convenient the Box District is, we've put together the map below and if we've missed anything let us know!