Waterworks Development

Waterworks Development

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LHAND updates neighbors on Waterworks project,
offers grants for home improvements

LYNN – In the heart of West Lynn, construction is underway on the site of the former
Waterworks pumping station on Walnut Street, with five new homes slated to be on the
market this summer.

The Lynn Community Development Housing Corporation (LCDHC), the Lynn Housing
Authority and Neighborhood Development (LHAND), along with City Councilors Rick Ford
and Paul Crowley, hosted a neighborhood meeting February 7 to update residents on the
redevelopment of the site. Also in attendance were state Rep. Steven Walsh and a
representative of Sen. Thomas McGee.

All machinery, equipment, oil tanks and windows have been removed from the pumping
station and three of the five single-family homes, set behind the building, have been
constructed. Lots for the homes range from 5,100 to 7,400 square feet, and the grounds
will be fully landscaped. Irrigation systems for the lawns will also be installed.

“We pride ourselves in building quality homes,” said LHAND Neighborhood Development
Manager Peggy Phelps. “They’re nice, modest homes, and they look great. They blend in
perfectly with the neighborhood.”

Sales of the three-bedroom, six-room homes are expected to begin in June. Two houses will
be sold at market rate, and three will be set aside for first-time homebuyers. Each home will
have two parking spaces.

As for the waterworks building, LHAND is currently exploring all options. Initial planning
included renovating the station to house 13 owner-occupied condominium units, but real
estate market lows are prompting alternatives.

“Right now there are 350 condos available in Lynn, and we’re weighing the costs of the
project against the current ability to sell the units in this market,” said Charles Gaeta,
executive director of LHAND. “We want to try to keep the facade and keep the character of
the building, but we’re open to options. We’re certainly not going to leave the site
abandoned or have empty units occupying the space.”

To further enhance the surrounding neighborhoods, LHAND is offering a development area
grant for residents of Flint, Wyman and Childs streets, and of a portion of Boston and
Walnut streets. Residents of owner-occupied homes can apply, now through March 9, for
funding for exterior repairs including painting, siding, window work, roofing and porch repair.
They must submit an application form, income documents, a deed of the property and a
recent real-estate tax bill. LHAND has $117,000 available through this grant and approval
will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Once the application and necessary paperwork are returned to LHAND, a rehabilitation
specialist will schedule a review of the proposed work and perform an inspection of the
interior and exterior of the house. Residents also must submit an estimate of the proposed
work, from a licensed contractor. After the cost and method of rehabilitation have been
reviewed, LHAND will commit to a maximum grant of $3,000. The homeowners have 12
months from the date of the commitment to complete the work, and they will be responsible
for any expenses exceeding $3,000.

For more information about the development area grant or to pick up an application form,
please contact Brandi Walker, LHAND neighborhood services coordinator,
at (781 ) 477-2800.

Flint St

Childs St

Foundation digging

Framing

Finished Foundations

Framing

We're making Progress, one neighborhood at a time.