Sitkowski School Groundbreaking 

  

The Town of Webster and NOAH’s terrific development team are excited to announce that construction will begin for the renovation of the historic A.J. Sitkowski School on Negus St into 66 units of affordable senior housing and a community center for seniors. A Ground-Breaking Ceremony will take place within the attached Town Hall and Town Auditorium on February 6^th from 11:30-1:30.

 The long-vacant 85,000 square foot historic Sitkowski School is an essential piece of the Town’s on-going redevelopment of older downtown Webster, which includes a new police station, a proposed new library, Main Street infrastructure improvements, a park on the nearby French River, expansion of municipal parking and significant local and international private sector investments. The developer, NOAH from Boston, has been working with the Town and state agencies for five years to secure over $ 20 million in funding to develop the school into needed affordable housing. The Town has a significant proportion of people over 55 years of age. The Town’s senior center will also be relocated to a 9,000sf Community Center in the school’s old gym. Approximately 125 jobs will be created to help stimulate the economy.

 The 66 new apartments include 59 one-bedroom units and 7 two-bedroom units.  Eight units will target residents earning less than 30% Area Median Income (AMI) using Project-based Section 8 Vouchers. In addition five units for residents earning less than 50% AMI, with the remaining 53 units affordable to those earning less than 60% AMI.  Common amenities will include lounges on each floor and a central laundry.  The Senior Center will include a large multi-purpose room with kitchen, a reading room, conference room and offices, an art space, an exercise room, a health office and a salon.  The Center will have its own public entrance but will also be accessible from within the building for the residents so that seniors can enjoy the community activities without ever leaving the building.

 The rehabilitation (by DellBrook Construction) will be a substantial renovation of a locally prominent, historic, decommissioned school. The architectural firm of DiMella Shaffer retained the historic elements and classrooms into beautiful apartments. The original oak woodwork will be preserved where feasible, or salvaged for re-use elsewhere in the project.  The slender original wood floors will be repaired and restored.  The architectural treatment is appropriate to the historic character of the building and the historic district in which it is located. All exterior features will be maintained or enhanced with the addition of new parking areas, landscaping and streetscape improvements with the narrowing of Negus and Church Streets to make the project more pedestrian friendly.  The development is incorporating many Green features and energy efficiencies and is seeking a LEED Silver Certification. 

 Funding is being provided by a mix of Federal, State and quasi-public agencies as noted below along with investment from Webster-based Commerce Insurance and Selective Insurance. 

 

Selectwoman and Chair Deborah Keefe has championed the Sitkowski renewal ever since she began serving on the Board. “I am very, very excited!! I can’t tell you how much the Town has worked for the preservation and re-development of this historic building so we can create housing for our hard-working seniors. I pushed for the inclusion of a senior center so we will now have a beautiful new place for them and for the whole Town. We can have so many activities there! The new 9,000 sf center will have a new kitchen, dance floor, balcony, medical room, library and meeting spaces in what is now the old gym. It will shine!”

 Town Administrator John McAuliffe said, “When I arrived here four years ago, the Sitkowski was at the top of the Town’s agenda. I was worried we could not get it done in time to save the building. I am extremely happy and relieved that we have been able to work with the developer, NOAH, our elected officials and the whole Town actually, to finally get this project moving. We will soon be able to stop spending much needed resources on preserving this historic asset and eventually collect taxes to re-invest in other critical downtown enhancements. It’s a great day!”

 Carol Cyr, Community Development Manager and representative of the Webster Redevelopment Authority which initially put the project out to bid on behalf of the Town said, “I could not be happier! This is such a joy. We have worked so hard for this day. It is a dream we had when we started to save this building for our seniors, many of whom even went to school here. I thank NOAH for listening to Town concerns and putting together such a good proposal. Onward!”

 The developer is NOAH, Neighborhood of Affordable Housing, from East Boston. NOAH is a regional developer of multi-use affordable housing. They were selected by the Redevelopment Authority in April of 2009. Philip Giffee, Executive Director, said, “We are over the top happy for the Town. We have been working with the State to get this essential project funded for several years. The Town has been absolutely terrific. I congratulate them for holding fast under lengthy and challenging economic times. We are so pleased to have been selected and to work hand-in-glove with such passionate advocates for their Town. We thank the Governor and DHCD for this wonderful award. Since it is a historic property, we also thank Secretary of State, William Galvin.”

 Giffee said the $20 million project is funded and will begin construction in February and will take approximately 14 months.  Winn Management, which has several developments in the region, will supervise marketing, resident selection and management of the facility.

 A Groundbreaking Ceremony will take place within the Town Hall Auditorium, 350 Main Street, on February 6^th from 11:30-1:30.