Domus Inc. Exec. Dir. Ann D. Lentini, Studio One architect Brian Fitzgerald, Attorney Ellen Freyman, and development consultant JooRi Johnson were on hand to explain the Moseley School Apartments project to neighbors Tuesday night. (Photo by Amy Porter)
WESTFIELD – The nonprofit affordable housing developer, Domus, Inc. , held an informational meeting last night at The New Life Christian Center for neighbors of the proposed family housing development in the former Moseley School on Dartmouth Street. Domus acquired the school from the City of Westfield in 2014, and was the sole bidder. They plan to build 23 affordable apartments in the building, while maintaining the historic facade of the school.
Ann D. Lentini, Executive Director of Domus, welcomed the approximately 20 neighbors who came to hear about the project, ask questions, and express concerns. Lentini said that reuse of a building gives back property taxes to the city.
“This isn’t my first rodeo,” said Lentini, noting that this is Domus, Inc.’s 11th project in the city. Domus also rebuilt Prospect Hill apartments at 33 Montgomery Street, and is in the process of completing “Our House,” a house for homeless teenagers in the old Red Cross building at 48 Broad Street, which she hopes to have ready for residents to move into by July.
Lentini introduced the architects, president Gregory Zorzi and partner Brian Fitzgerald of Square One Architects in Springfield, who are also both Westfield residents. They described the project as a “gut rehab,” going right down to the walls, with all new windows and doors. The building will house 23 units, 4 one-bedroom, 16 two-bedroom, and 3 three-bedroom, one of each which will be accessible.
A small new addition will be built on the side of the building with a historical consultant’s guidance to house an elevator. The consultant will also give guidance on windows and masonry, and the project will also go before the Mass. Historic Commission.
Rob Levesque of R. Levesque Associates, Inc. presented the landscape plan, which will include 51 parking spaces on the site, as well as use 6 parking spaces on Woodmont Street, along a former bus bumpout. They are also considering adding a basketball court and playscape, which may be accessible to the neighborhood, depending on arrangements with the city.
Levesque said lighting will be period lighting that is reasonable for the neighborhood, and provides safety for the site. They will also make drainage improvements. All existing trees will stay on site.
Lentini said that certain historic elements in the building, such as tin ceilings and wainscoating, will be saved and used in the rehabilitation.
“This is one of the things I love to do,” Lentini said. “I love to retain the historical feel.”
She said in the Prospect Hill project, they reused old chalk boards in the kitchens.
“It’s a nice feel, so you don’t lose that sense that it was a school,” Lentini said.
One neighbor asked whether there would be parking on Dartmouth Street, and whether there would be signage. Lentini said there would be no parking in the front of the building on Dartmouth Street. She said they hadn’t asked for signage to that effect.
Ward 2 City Council Ralph Figy said he would take that concern to the parking commission. Zorzi added that there would be ample parking on site. He also said there would be no entrance to the building in the front on Dartmouth, only egress. The entrance will be in the back of the building. One of the reasons is due to the steps in the front of the building.
“The rules have changed for accessibility, and are very onerous,” Lentini said. “We try to follow the rules.”
“It’s going to be the people living there who won’t follow the rules,” another neighbor commented.
Lentini said there would be a site manager for the building, as well as maintenance managers. She also said that she personally keeps an eye on the buildings.
When asked whether the apartments would be income subsidized, Lentini said she doesn’t know if they will qualify for Section 8 vouchers.
“The most they will give us is four or five,” she said. “Everyone will have to income-qualify, and they will pretty much have to be working.”
She said the leases will be for a year, and then tenants must be recertified. They will also go through background checks. There will also be no pets allowed in the building, and no smoking.
A discussion ensued about smoking areas, which one woman said was a problem for her elderly mother who lives adjacent to the Prospect Hill apartments. She said that workers come home from second shift and smoke and talk on the street, right outside of her mother’s window.
Lentini and the planners said they would consider establishing a smoking area on the grounds of the Moseley Street project, and that she would look into the situation at Prospect Hill.
“I have security cameras over all of my properties,” she said, adding that she had a recent incident where someone dumped trash at one of the buildings. She got the license plate and a photo, and plans to go after the offender.
“It’s really important. People have a better sense that it’s secure,” she said.
When asked about the time frame, Lentini said that it will depend on state funding.
“We might have good news or bad news by February 2017, and then we’ll do the closing,” she said.
The project will also have private investors, which gives another other level of oversight, according to JooRi Johnson of MBL Housing & Development.
“It’s an investment of love, endurance and time. I’m here for the long haul,” Lentini said.
Domus Incorporated, established in 1982, is a non-profit affordable housing developer governed by a board of directors. One of its missions is to provide safe and affordable, decent, sanitary housing for the homeless, low-to-moderate income people and people with special needs.
More information may be obtained on its website at www.domusinc.org.
