Condos slated for brownfields plot
By this time next year, new condos will be rising on the former site of Institutional Linens Inc. on Mason Street in Worcester.
A February 14 groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of a new 21-unit residential project, in which 80 percent of the units will be sold at market rates. The remaining space will be set aside as affordable housing."This site of an old industrial laundry is going to be transformed into high-quality affordable housing that will improve the quality of life for all residents of this neighborhood," said Rep. James McGovern (D-Mass.).
Construction of the $4.9 million project is expected to get underway by early fall of 2006. The 2-story town-house style condominiums will be between 1000 and 1200 square feet, and will include a lower level garage. While architectural work has yet to be completed, the building will sit on just over an acre of land, said Stephen Patton, executive director of Worcester Common Ground (WCG).
The Mason Street site was formerly home to Institutional Linens, a laundry that primarily served the health
care industry. Many potential developers avoided the site, due to contamination from the laundry, and a former garage on the property. Projected environmental cleanup costs are $800,000, said Patton.
"This has evolved into a home ownership area," said Patton, "and potentially toxic businesses aren’t appropriate for our neighborhoods."
Jeff Lavery can be reached at jlavery@wbjournal.com
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