Construction should begin at the end of 2024, early 2025 to knock down and rebuild the Lakeside Apartments, one of the Worcester Housing Authority’s oldest properties. Some units will be reserved for affordable housing; others for first-time home buyers.
WORCESTER — In its ongoing commitment to keep its residents apprised about the Lakeside Redevelopment Project, the Worcester Housing Authority (WHA) last Wednesday held two meetings in an outdoor common area on the property.
“It’s critical that residents are fully informed,” said WHA’s CEO Alex Corrales, adding that it was the third meeting of its kind. “This is one of those projects that misinformation can have a devastating effect. … It opens folks up to be worried, so these meetings are to walk them through step by step what will occur, and hand-hold them through the process.”
Melissa Petit has lived at Lakeside, which is located alongside Coes Pond at 30 Lakeside Ave., for 14 years, and has attended and recorded each meeting. “I like to know what happens in my neighborhood,” she said. “[The WHA] are always respectful, and they’ve answered every question I’ve asked. Sometimes they don’t know, but they tell me that and they always get back to me.”
Built in 1949, Lakeside is among the WHA’s oldest buildings. Not only do they need structural and cosmetic updating, there are only two wheel-chair accessible apartments in the 202-unit complex. The existing units are planned to be replaced with 328 affordable apartments and 28 home-ownership units. Most will fall under “affordable housing,” meaning residents pay 30 percent of their income for rent and utilities, and some will be reserved for first-time homebuyers.
The project is led by Tremont Development Partners, which is working with E3 Development. Rich Mazzocchi from Tremont and Eliza Datta from E3 spoke to the particulars and logistics of the project.
“We want to replace the buildings with more modern, energy-efficient ones for the residents, and add additional units,” Datta said. “All the units will be affordable to give new families more opportunities for housing … Another great feature is we are going to add elevators, and 10 percent will be handicapped accessible. There will be green spaces, and a linear park, and all will be energy efficient.”
Corrales agreed: “It’s more than being able to provide more green space. We will really connect with Coes Pond, and residents can take advantage of the boardwalk and the beach. We can really integrate the neighborhood into our property.”
The construction will be done in phases to minimize the displacement of the current residents. Phase 1 will affect 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44, and 46 Lakeside Ave., and 19 Garland St. Phase 2 will focus on 52 and 54 Circuit Ave.
“We have to think about the relocation of each phase, because we are adding more units than we are taking away,” Datta said.
The project is being done through Section 18, which allows for a full demotion of the apartments. Funding is funneled through multiple sources at the city, state and federal levels.
“The timeline changes frequently,” Mazzocchi said. “All the city approvals should be completed by the end of the year. The financing should be in place next summer. Construction should begin at the end of 2024, early 2025, roughly 12 to 15 months from now.”
Despite the lengthy timeline, with so many families needing to move, that could begin within the complex as early as January. Families relocating off-site will begin moving in June.
Wednesday’s meeting also introduced residents to Housing Opportunities Unlimited (HOU), the agency which will help with that process.
“The moving company and supplies will be provided, at no cost,” HOU’s Regional Director of Relocation Vanessa Rivera said. “All residents will get help with packing and unpacking if needed, and during the relocation there will be a team from HOU on site to help with any issues.”
The first step is a resident assessment, set to begin next month, to evaluate the needs of every family.
“It’s important because we need to be able to determine the relocation plan for each household,” Rivera said. “It’s important for families to communicate all their needs, and for us to do so in the home, so we can assess furniture to help the moving company. Our goal is for each household to have a smooth transition process.”
Residents are not required to stay in Worcester, and if it’s more convenient to stay with a family member or friend, that is also acceptable. Those individuals would still have a new apartment available after construction.
Residents staying on site will be prioritized based on family needs, such as those with medical conditions, or those wishing to keep their children in the local school district.
Finding safe and affordable housing remains a challenge for many families. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, the average fair market rent in Worcester County is $1,272 for a one-bedroom, $1.635 for a two-bedroom, and $1,990 for a three-bedroom.
“We see that with the Section 8 program,” Corrales said. Section 8 provides vouchers for use in the private housing market, and will pay 70 percent of the monthly rent, depending on a person’s income. “Five or six years ago, 95 percent could find an apartment within the required time frame, and now that’s gone down to 68 percent.”
“My first apartment, when I was 19 years old, was $600 for three bedrooms,” Petit said. “It’s not like that anymore.”
“We’re not going to solve the problem, but our hope is that we can be part of the solution,” Corrales said. “It takes all of us – the city, the state, the developers – anyone involved in housing to make a commitment to affordable housing.”
Christine M. Quirk is the former editor of MotherTown and has written for the Telegram & Gazette, BayState Parent, and Times & Courier. She lives with her family in West Boylston and can be reached at cmqwriter@gmail.com
