WORCESTER —
The Main South Community Development Corporation, local and state officials, community organizers and residents got together today for an upbeat celebration of the last phase of the Kilby-Gardner-Hammond housing development project in Main South.
“Look at these — these are absolutely beautiful,” Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray said as he stood next to a brand-new, brightly painted three-story building at the corner of Beacon and Hammond streets, where the ceremony took place. Colorful balloons were tied to other similarly painted buildings in the neighborhood that are a part of the housing development.
“This (the housing project) will pay for itself many times over,” Mr. Murray said.
It is the final phase of new housing construction associated with the Kilby-Gardner-Hammond Neighborhood Revitalization Project, which began a dozen years ago. The last phase consists of 22 high-quality, energy efficient, affordable rental units on seven sites. Five units are reserved for families earning less than 30 percent of the area's median income, and three are fully handicapped-accessible.
J. Stephen Teasdale, executive director of the Main South Community Development Corporation, said that in addition to the 22 rentals there are 36 new units designated for owner-occupants. The CDC has acquired 49 additional units, some through foreclosure, through the years. Mr. Teasdale said the project will have a positive economic impact.
“There will be $167,000 dollars back on the city tax rolls,” Mr. Teasdale said. “So it makes economic sense as well as practical sense.”
Mr. Teasdale and Mr. Murray credited U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, with being a staunch advocate of the project. Mr. Teasdale said Mr. McGovern sent his regards but was unable to attend today's ribbon-cutting ceremony because he is attending the funeral of former U.S. Sen. George McGovern in South Dakota today.
“From the beginning, Jim's been here every step of the way,” Mr. Teasdale said.
The Main South CDC has been working since 1996 with its development partners — Clark University, the Boys & Girls Club and the city — to reclaim the 30-acre severely blighted section of the neighborhood that contained more than 40 vacant lots and $600,000 in property tax liens.
The total development cost of the final phase was $6.45 million. Funding came from private and public sources.
“Look at these — these are absolutely beautiful,” Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray said as he stood next to a brand-new, brightly painted three-story building at the corner of Beacon and Hammond streets, where the ceremony took place. Colorful balloons were tied to other similarly painted buildings in the neighborhood that are a part of the housing development.
“This (the housing project) will pay for itself many times over,” Mr. Murray said.
It is the final phase of new housing construction associated with the Kilby-Gardner-Hammond Neighborhood Revitalization Project, which began a dozen years ago. The last phase consists of 22 high-quality, energy efficient, affordable rental units on seven sites. Five units are reserved for families earning less than 30 percent of the area's median income, and three are fully handicapped-accessible.
J. Stephen Teasdale, executive director of the Main South Community Development Corporation, said that in addition to the 22 rentals there are 36 new units designated for owner-occupants. The CDC has acquired 49 additional units, some through foreclosure, through the years. Mr. Teasdale said the project will have a positive economic impact.
“There will be $167,000 dollars back on the city tax rolls,” Mr. Teasdale said. “So it makes economic sense as well as practical sense.”
Mr. Teasdale and Mr. Murray credited U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, with being a staunch advocate of the project. Mr. Teasdale said Mr. McGovern sent his regards but was unable to attend today's ribbon-cutting ceremony because he is attending the funeral of former U.S. Sen. George McGovern in South Dakota today.
“From the beginning, Jim's been here every step of the way,” Mr. Teasdale said.
The Main South CDC has been working since 1996 with its development partners — Clark University, the Boys & Girls Club and the city — to reclaim the 30-acre severely blighted section of the neighborhood that contained more than 40 vacant lots and $600,000 in property tax liens.
The total development cost of the final phase was $6.45 million. Funding came from private and public sources.
Articles Most Read Today
- New spin on cyber cafés
- Boston Scientific moving headquarters to Marlboro
- Restaurants mark Albanian anniversary
- Ameridose laying off 650 in fallout from meningitis outbreak
- Obama victory leads to fast tax moves by wealthy
- Police release name of driver killed in Leominster crash
- Smart spending: How to do Black Friday week right
- City rebounding from season's first storm
- When counting votes, Big Bird a big pain
- Courthouse records