Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Work on the redevelopment of the Mary Ellen McCormack Public Housing Complex officially began on Monday.
The complex was the first housing of this kind in Boston and one of the oldest in the United States, first being built in 1938. The complex has stayed open since that time, but the city has desired to expand the building and modernize it.
The project is being helmed by WinnCompanies in collaboration with the Boston Housing Authority, and representatives from both organizations attended the official breaking ground event, along with federal, state, and local politicians.
According to WinnCompanies, “When the entire project is completed the Mary Ellen McCormack property will offer 1,016 units of low-income and affordable housing and 2,284 units of workforce and market rate housing.”
Mayor Michelle Wu was one of those leaders in attendance, speaking on the importance of redeveloping structures like this that have been around for a long time and could use some modernizing.
“Now in Boston, we know that being the first will soon mean that you’re the oldest if you don’t maintain things over time and renovate and redo them,” Mayor Wu said. “Today we’re making right on that part of it with what will be beautiful incredible spaces and homes.”
The emphasis on low-income apartments was also a major plus for Mayor Wu, as this aligns with her push for more adorable housing.
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Vice President of Winn Development Andrew Colbert also spoke about the redevelopment, mentioning the company’s aim to create a multifaceted space that accessible to all income types.
“It’s redeveloping the oldest public housing community in New England into a transformative mixed used, mixed income development,” Colbert said.
He also mentioned their development of a new system of temperature control for the complex.
“We’ve completed WinnCompanies’ and the BHA’s first geothermal wellfield which is going to assist in heating and cooling the building,” Colbert said.
The construction project is being split into two phases, with the hope that the first phase will be completed sometime next year, with the second phase being started shortly after.
The company also said that residents who are already living at the complex and are in good standing will be able to return. Construction plans will be structured in such a way to allow for relocation of these residents to be as quick as possible.
“Existing buildings will be demolished in phases in a complex relocation strategy choreographed to maximize existing households moving directly into new apartments,” WinnCompanies said.
More information regarding the redevelopment can be found here.
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports.