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Contact: Lydia Agro, Communications Director, 988-4109
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A joint venture between Haley House and the Madison Park Development Corporation submitted the winning proposal to assume ownership, management and renovation of four Boston Housing Authority properties in the South End. The BHA tentatively designated the partnership as developer and future owner of its properties at 282 Columbus Avenue, 68 West Concord Avenue and 564 and 688 Massachusetts Avenue.
“Not only does this project bring about the renovation of 74 affordable apartments in the city, it also provides for their long-term viability, preserves historically important structures and ensures that they will remain affordable for years to come,” said BHA Administrator Sandra Henriquez. “We are very pleased that this project is moving forward.”
Haley House and Madison Park were chosen as the development team after an extensive community and resident process. The selection committee for designation included three members of the Interfaith Tenants’ Association, Inc., the resident group for the buildings. Haley House and Madison Park were chosen unanimously by the selection committee as the highest scoring proposer. The proposal calls for the residents to participate in the ownership entity through two seats on the board of directors of a newly created corporation. The development team will hold two seats on the board as well.
“I’m very glad that Madison Park and Haley House were chosen and I look forward to working with them in the future,” said Kevin Boyle, President of the Interfaith Tenants’ Association.
Under the new agreement, the properties will be substantially renovated but all of their apartments will remain affordable housing. There will be no permanent displacement of current residents, although temporary relocation will be required during reconstruction. A consultant will assist residents with the relocation process on an individual basis.
“We have worried about the future of these buildings for many years in the midst of so much expensive development,” said Kathleen McKenna, Executive Director of Haley House. “We are excited to accept the challenge of renovating them into the beautiful homes they can become.”
Originally expiring use properties, the properties were deeded to the BHA by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in 1986. However, HUD anticipated that a non-profit local development corporation or resident controlled corporation would own the properties and put deed restrictions on them to ensure that affordability would be retained in the transfer.
In addition to working with residential tenants regarding future plans for the building, the BHA has also signed a seven-year lease with Freddie Blanco, a commercial tenant that has operated a grocery market out of the West Concord Street building for more than twenty years. The long-term lease will allow Mr. Blanco, the owner of Don Quixote Market, to apply for financing and renovate and expand his storefront. Mr. Blanco’s storefront is located on the side of the building at 1639-1641 Washington Street.
The 74 units consist of 31 units at 282 Columbus Avenue, formerly known as the Albermarle Hotel, 33 units at 68 West Concord Street, which once housed the Chatham Hotel and five unit townhouses at 564 and 688 Massachusetts Avenue.
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