Old Colony Redevelopment
Since 2010, BHA has worked closely with Old Colony's residents and community members on a master-planning process for the whole site, envisioning the demolition of the existing Old Colony and its replacement with a new community: lower-density, with attractive, energy-efficient homes that reflect the local architectural traditions, new streets that tie into the local grid and give each unit street frontage, private yards and semi-public landscaped areas, and a new community center. In 2011, the BHA partnered with local developer, Beacon Communities, to complete the first phase of the redevelopment. Old Colony Phase One involves the recently-completed demolition of 164 public housing units and their planned replacement with 116 units of affordable rental housing, as well as a brand-new 10,000 square foot community center and the creation of several new streets.
In June 2011, BHA was awarded an HOPE VI grant from Department of Housing and Urban Development to redevelop Old Colony Phase Two, a portion of the development which is immediately adjacent to and northwest of Phase One. Construction for Phase Two began in July 2012 which involved the demolition of an additional 223 public housing units and these units will be replaced with a total of 169 new affordable rental units. Phase Two construction completed in summer 2015.
Click here to view the Old Colony Master Plan
Old Colony Phase One
Old Colony Phase Two
Old Colony Phase One
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Year Completed: 2011
Total units: 116
Total Development Cost: $59.3 million
Developer: Beacon Communities Development
Manager: Beacon Residential Management
Awards:
- Voted Best Urban Project in the nation by Affordable Housing Finance 2012
The Homes at Old Colony is one of the largest “green” residential affordable housing project constructed in the Commonwealth. This development is the first phase of the Old Colony redevelopment plan to transform the distressed and isolated 845-unit development into an innovative and high-efficiency affordable housing development. Under the first phase, 164 of the existing distressed units were replaced with 116 new affordable rental units in an attractive mid-rise building and townhouse-style buildings.
The project has met a number of green certifications and programs including: Enterprise Green Communities, LEED Gold for New Construction, LEED Gold for Homes Midrise, LEED Platinum for Homes, LEED Gold for the Tierney Learning Center, Energy Star Homes (townhomes), Midrise Utility Program (midrise building) and LEED for Neighborhood Development. These energy efficient features in the development will help reduce the utility operating costs of the units. In addition, the Homes at Old Colony is entirely smoke-free.
Included in this development is a brand new 10,000-SF community center that is easily accessible to Old Colony residents. The Joseph M. Tierney Learning Center, which opened for operation in March 2012, provides space for the Old Colony Resident Task Force; a 48-slot Head Start program for infants, toddlers and preschoolers; afterschool programming; and a Neighborhood Networks Center. The community center also includes a large room where plays, concerts and events can take place.
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Photos by Andy Ryan
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Old Colony Phase Two
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Year Completed: Phases 2A and 2B completed in March 2014 and Phase 2C completed June 2015
Total units: 169
Total Development Cost: $95.8 million
Developer: Beacon Communities Development
Manager: Beacon Residential Management
In May 2011, BHA was awarded a $22 million HOPE VI grant from HUD for the redevelopment of Old Colony Phase Two. Construction began in summer of 2012.
Old Colony Phase Two was completed in summer 2015 adding 169 new affordable units to the Homes at Old Colony. The development is comprised of a mix of townhomes, two four-story elevator buildings and two three-story walk-ups.
Both Old Colony Phases One and Two are on track to earn Gold Certification in LEED in Neighborhood Development.
Click here for more news about the Old Colony redevelopment.
Contact
For more information or to apply for housing go to Beacon Communities' Old Colony website.
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