Condos / Summer Street MBTA Shaft Site

[buckturgidsen.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen anyone post anything about the MBTA Shaft Site on Summer Street for a while, so here's an update. The developer was unable to build their previous concept -- a 14-unit condo building on the shaft site -- due to problems meeting conditions of their special permit. After suing the mayor and ward alderman in a last-ditch effort to meet the conditions of the permit, they disappeared for a few years only to come back with a new and much larger plan: a 31-unit building on the VFW parking lot. They're also building a new lodge for the VFW as part of a land swap.

The plans are here on the city's website, and apparently they'll be going in front of the Zoning Board in April. It looks like the city is rolling out the red carpet for them.

The people behind this proposal are the Dakota Partners guys, who own the shaft site and who I think have built 5 other buildings in Somerville: Belmont Terrace, Osgood Lofts, 23(?) Park Ave, a row of townhouses on Weston Ave, and 1188 Broadway. Some were built under the previous name of the firm Emerald Development. I realize that none of these other buildings are in Davis Sq, but does anyone out there live in one of these buildings and can share anything about what they're like to live in, or their experiences dealing with this developer?

I certainly would like to see that shaft site finally developed, but 31 units seems ridiculous. And while I'm happy to see the veterans finally get a new post, I can't understand how this deal makes sense for them. The vets are giving the developer all of their best real estate: the developer gets the current VFW Post (their portion of the building they currently share with the Winter Hill Bank) AND over 80% of the current VFW parking lot which is a prime street-front parcel in the central biz district zoning. And in return the VFW only gets the undesirable MBTA shaft site and a new lodge. I can't see why the vets would go along with this.

Comments

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

Is that the conversion of the old church into lofts? Those were very swank, although I agree it's a shame about that siding. Of course, the fact that they did a nice project with seven-figure lofts in the early 2000s doesn't say much (pro or con) about whether their new projects will meet the ideals of the neighborhood.

31 units is a lot, but if they're relatively small/inexpensive spaces, and come with less parking than is typical (given how close to Davis they are, it's not unreasonable to expect a lower level of car-ownership in the building)... not totally out of line.

[en-ki.livejournal.com]

Oh good lord, somebody did that to a church? I'm stabbing my eyes out already and I haven't seen that.

Turns out I was thinking of 23 Park St, halfway to Union Square near the AAAS and the train tracks, not 23 Park Ave, which is more or less right in Davis.

[ron_newman]

If this is the Park Ave building I'm thinking of, it was an Orange Order hall for a long time after it stopped being a church, and before it became condos.

[buckturgidsen.livejournal.com]

Sorry for the confusion -- the building I meant is 23 Park STREET not Park AVE. I typed it wrong. So it's the one en_ki was thinking of -- over near the train tracks. Sorry to cause confusion! :)