The firms chosen to transform the Newton Armory into a historically sensitive, environmentally progressive development of 100 percent permanently affordable housing, answered community questions this week about the project.
More:Newton plans ahead for transformation of armory into affordable housing
With an “aspirational but realistic” design, Metro West Collaborative Development (a nonprofit) and Civico Development said they are aiming to finish the project and have residents move into the rental units by 2026.
According to Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, the “apartments will be deeply affordable to individuals and families with incomes ranging between 30% and 60% of our area median income.”
More:Officials still aim to buy Newton armory for $1 for affordable housing
She said that “a family of four earning 30% of the area median income is $40,260, while a family of four earning 60% of the area median income is $80,520.”
Rare $1 purchase
The city last year purchased the decommissioned National Guard Armory for $1 from the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) after agreeing to turn it into 100 percent permanently affordable housing.
The armory, built between 1910 and 1912, sits outside West Newton center at 1135-1137 Washington St. The building includes a full basement, assembly hall and a two-story administrative wing, according to the Massachusetts National Guard.
The castle-like appearance of the front façade and “head house” will remain, but the former field house will be demolished. Metro West and Civico will create 43 intergenerational housing units in a new building in back of the head house.
What are some of the goals?
This is a sampling of the companies’ plans, which will tackle the city’s top priorities.
Historic preservation
According to the presentation, Metro West will relocate its headquarters to the second floor of the original building. In the headhouse the developers plan to:
- Preserve the existing window openings by locating all residential units in the new building.
- Create a publicly accessible historic exhibit space highlighting the Armory and neighborhood’s history.
- Build a community room, patio and management office.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
According to the presentation, the firms are committed to making the development diverse, equitable and inclusive. Some of the ways they will achieve these goals are by:
- Adopting a social equity pledge (which Metro West has already done)
- Making sure all apartments support aging in place.
- Creating a minimum of five accessible units with four more having enhanced accessibility features.
- Hiring minority- and women-owned businesses to work on the project.
Commitment to sustainability
According to consultant Michelle Lambert of Lambert Sustainability, the developers will make sure the project will:
- Align with 2019 Newton Climate Action Plan and goal to be carbon neutral by 2050.
- Align with Washington Street Vision Plan section on climate and local environment.
- Meet the Newton Sustainable Development Design Zoning Ordinance requirements.
- Achieve “passive house” certification with an efficient building envelope, great indoor air quality and efficient HVAC systems.
- Use all-electric infrastructure (although they will likely need to install a backup generator of some kind for emergencies, according to Laura Cella-Mowatt of Davis Square Architects)
- Include solar panels
What about amenities?
A sampling of the Armory’s amenities include:
- Indoor bike storage
- Two elevators
- Mostly underground parking
- Rooftop spaces including lawns and a garden
- Community room
- Laundry room
Representatives from Metro West said on Feb. 15 said they would meet with the Newton Housing Partnership and on Feb. 24 with the Newton Historical Commission. There was no information on those meetings on the Armory’s web page as of Jan. 27.
For more information on the project, visit https://newtonarmory.com/
[ad_2]
Originally Appeared Here