Lgn4 & Community Revitglizgtion
BROWNFIELDS SUCCESS IN NEW ENGLAND
SOUTH WORCESTER NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION
WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS
Property Details
Property Address:
Property Size:
Former Use:
140 Grand Street/South Armory Street,
Worcester, MA 01603
1.07 acres, 0.32 acres
Residential units for nearby foundries industries in the
1880s; more recently, warehousing and auto repair
Contaminants Found: Petroleum/petroleum products, asbestos, lead
Current Use: Affordable residential space; child care facility
Current Owner: City Builders LLC
Project Partners
Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation (MHIC), Massachusetts
Housing Partnership (MHP), Home + Johnson / StepONE, L. D. Russo,
Inc., Elmwood Homes LLC, Mechanics Guild LLC, South Worcester
Neighborhood Improvement Corporation (SWNIC), City of Worcester,
NSP, Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation
(CEDAC), Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
Drivers for Redevelopment: The project is a joint partnership
between a non-profit (SWNIC) and a for profit developer
(Mechanic Guild, LLC). This area contained multiple abandoned
warehouses and SWNIC, as part of its neighborhood improvement
plan for South Worcester, saw the creation of affordable housing
in a blighted area as key to improving quality of life and the
neighborhood. These particular properties were chosen for
affordable housing units because of its proximity to the South
Worcester Industrial Park (SWIP). This location will help provide
affordable "work force" housing for the SWIP.
Property History: Through the 1930s these properties were
used for residential housing, storage and garages for the nearby
foundries. During this time residential dumping and urban filling of
ash occurred on the properties. These parcels were then bought up
by lumber distributors for wholesale building supply warehouses.
An auto repair shop with gas storage tanks also operated on-site.
These uses resulted in lead, petroleum and asbestos contamination.
Most recently, the site was used for storage by construction
contractors, furniture retailers, restaurant suppliers, and auto repair/
auto body shops. The buildings and properties were completely
abandoned in the early 2000s.
Project Results: An EPA Targeted Brownfields Assessment grant
awarded in 2009 was used to perform environmental assessments
that helped to characterize areas of contamination and prepare for
cleanup, which included building debris and asbestos removal.
Some building materials (e.g., concrete and masonry) were
recycled on an on-site processing facility. Cleanup was funded
through EPA Cleanup grants. Recently, ground has been broken
and construction started on 25 affordable rental apartments, with
Funding Details
Brownfields Cleanup Grant -Parcel I and II (2008): $73,250
Brownfields Cleanup Grant -Parcel I (2009): $141,400
Brownflelds Cleanup Grant -Parcel II (2010): $163,550
Brownflelds Targeted Assessment Grant (2009): $78,250
Tax Credit Exchange Funds: $3.8 Million from U.S. Treasury
Leveraged Funding: $750,000 from
DHCD; $450,000 from City of Worcester; $379,000 from CEDAC; and
$300,000 from City of Worcester Neighborhood Stabilization Program
(NSP)all for affordable housing development
Project Highlights
The first phase of this project will create 25 affordable rental units that
feature energy saving features such as solar hot water heating, motion-
activated lighting, exhaust air energy recovery systems and energy star
compliant appliances.
Plantings will introduce trees especially bred for resistance to the Asian
Long Horn Beetle, an insect responsible for prior infestations.
The second phase of the project will create a condominium complex
with new garden space and/or a child care facility.
two parking spots per unit, and on-site recreation. These homes
will have energy saving features such as solar hot water heating,
motion-activated lighting, exhaust air energy recovery systems and
energy star compliant appliances. Landscaping around the buildings
will introduce trees especially bred for resistance to the Asian Long
Horn Beetle, an insect responsible for prior infestations. Occupancy
of rental units on Parcel I is expected in the spring of 2011,
while cleanup and construction of Parcel II for development into
condominiums is expected to begin by July 2011.
Project Timeline
1880s Residential units for nearby foundry industry
1930s Primary use changes to lumber warehouse storage and
automotive repair
1970s Lumber yard razed all residences in the area and expanded
warehouses
1980s The parcels are primarily used for storage
2000 Portions of the parcels used for automobile repair/auto body
activities
2006 Initial environmental site assessment completed
2008 Additional assessments performed
2009 Cleanup begins on Parcel I
2010 Cleanup of Parcel I completed (February)
2011 Anticipated occupancy of Parcel I rental units; cleanup and
construction of condominiums is planned for Parcel II
November 2010
Local Contact: Randy Johnson Home & Johnson Architects/StepONE (508) 315-3666 rjohnson@hjstepone.com
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