The hotly-contested LIHC housing proposal on Concord Square will get another public airing tonight, Aug. 15, at the Claremont Neighborhood Association.
LISC has been discussing the project with neighbors since early spring, propos-ing to put 60 market-rate units into a newly-constructed building on what is now open space fronting Worcester Street for the Concord Houses (715 and 725 Tremont St.), which it also owns. The project has been contested publicly by a group of neighbors, and supported vociferously by other neighbors.
The proposal hasn’t yet been filed with the City, but LIHC hopes to do so very soon, but not until neighbors in Claremont get another chance to review it.
CNA will hold a special meeting on August 15 (Thursday) at 7:00 pm with LIHC Investments. The meeting will be held at 48 Rutland St.
“We’ve taken great care to listen to the community and tonight (Aug. 15) is another step in laying out our plan to bring much-needed housing to the South End,” said Marci Booth, CFO of LIHC Investment Group. “In addition to creating new homes, our proposal will ensure Concord Houses re-mains affordable far into the future by extending Section 8 protections there from 20 to 40 years. While we have not yet officially filed with the city, we look forward to doing so within the next few months.”
LIHC’ will review their plans for their development proposal on Worcester Street (between Columbus Avenue and Tremont Street) into approximately 60 market rate apartments. LIHC currently use this space for parking and a locked gated open space for their residents at Concord Houses.
This informational session will allow residents to ask questions about their plans as well as raise concerns and suggestions.
Booth pointed out that there have been changes made to the project since its original unveiling. One of those changes includes taking it from six- to five-stories tall, and moving the 5th floor rooftop balconies to the rear of the building to reduce street height.
They have also pulled the building forward to align it with the existing block, and created a three-foot garden in front of the building. On the front, they have al-so enlarged the windows and made cornices more prominent to match the rest of the neighborhood.
The rear of the building has been altered at the request of abutters to use dif-ferent materials, such as wood to cover the parking, making it look less institutional.