On December 10, funders and partners come together to celebrate the completion of Carol Avenue Apartments in Brighton!
The Carol Avenue Apartments was formerly known as the Carol Avenue Co-Operative and has been an important source of deeply affordable housing since the late 1980’s, providing stable homes in an area where rents have continued to soar beyond the reach of many individuals and households that have traditionally called Brighton home. The redevelopment of Carol Ave. is the most extensive renovation project at the property since the building was built over 110 years ago. After 15 months of construction, this property now features 33 fully rehabilitated units which are home to nearly 80 residents.
“The completion of this major renovation project was a significant achievement and underscores the skill and tenacity of ABCDC’s Real Development Team, headed up by Caitlin Robillard,” said ABCDC’s Executive Director, John Woods. “The complexity of addressing the Deep Energy Retrofit (DER) activities at this site was amplified by the ongoing effort to address the complicated and significant work while trying to minimize the disruption to the people who live in the buildings, many who have called this property home for close to 40 years. We are grateful to the wide array of funders and partners who helped make this happen and especially grateful for the support and patience of the Carol Ave Apartment residents.”
This renovation project at Carol Avenue Apartments was focused on green, sustainable, and climate-resilient design. An exciting aspect of this project is that it is considered a Deep Energy Retrofit (DER), which is a label reserved for rehabs that will significantly reduce energy usage. Much of the rehab scope was focused on strengthening the thermal envelope, decarbonization (eliminating fossil fuels), and improving ventilation.
“The vision of Allston Brighton CDC is a major step forward in sustainable, resilient affordable housing for Massachusetts,” said Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) Executive Director Clark Ziegler. “ABCDC is a leader on deep energy retrofits. The rebirth of Carol Avenue Apartments means that 33 families who have invested in the neighborhood are working alongside ABCDC to further the clean energy movement. MHP is a proud partner and happy to provide support through our green incentives and financing program.”
Carol Avenue Apartments now has a new roof, all new windows, and additional insulation in the roof and exterior walls. The property was also converted from oil and gas to all electric heating, cooling, and domestic hot water. All new Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) were also installed throughout to provide fresh air, and exterior ducting was added for bathroom fans.
“ABCDC is proving that Deep Energy Retrofits and affordable housing go hand in hand, and DOER is thrilled to support this project to create an innovative, fossil-fuel-free affordable housing property that offers residents healthier, more comfortable homes and lowers air pollution in the community,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Elizabeth Mahony. “Projects like this one show that when we decarbonize affordable housing buildings through deep energy retrofits, we can improve the comfort and monthly costs for those hit hardest by climate change.”
“The rehabilitation of Carol Ave Apartments shows Boston’s dedication to preserving and enhancing affordable housing for families and individuals in a way that also meets our climate needs,” said Sheila A. Dillon, Boston’s Chief of Housing. “This project not only ensures long-term affordability for residents but also brings new life to a critical housing resource in the Allston-Brighton neighborhood. Thanks to the work of Allston Brighton CDC, we are providing families with stable, energy-efficient homes that strengthen our communities.”
The property is 100% fossil-fuel free, and it will add to the Commonwealth’s renewable energy grid through the addition of rooftop photovoltaic solar panels. The completion of this project will now reduce energy usage at the property by nearly 54%! All of these changes will provide a healthier and more comfortable environment for residents.
“WNC was thrilled to be able to include Carol Avenue Apartments in our tax credit equity fund WNC 55,” said Christine Cormier, Executive Vice President at WNC. “The fund provides funding for the development and preservation of affordable housing throughout our nation and especially in Boston, where more affordable housing is much needed.”
“NEI is proud to be part of the Carol Avenue renovation project as well as executing the deep energy retrofit and electrification of 33 units,” said Marc C. Marcelli, Vice-President at NEI General Contracting.
We would like to thank all of our event speakers including City Councilor Liz Breadon, Representative Kevin Honan, Clark Ziegler (Executive Director, Massachusetts Housing Partnership), Amy Stitely (Undersecretary for Strategy & Climate, Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities), Benjamin Silverman (Residential Program Manager, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources), Christine Cormier (Executive Vice President, WNC), Ross Speer (Principal, Davis Square Architects), and Devon Kraemer-Roberts (Superintendent, NEI General Contracting).
This project was made possible by a number of funding sources including CEDAC, City of Boston’s Mayor’s Office of Housing, Eastern Bank, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts Development Finance Agency, Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, Massachusetts Housing Partnership, MassHousing, Liberty Mutual Foundation, Department of Energy Resources, Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers Foundation, The LEAN Multifamily Program, and WNC. We would also like to thank our project partners: NEI General Contracting, Davis Square Architects, Community Square Associates, New Ecology, Judy Cohn Housing & Relocation Consultants, Tierney Development Services, Resonant Energy, Klein Hornig LLP, and Maloney Properties for all their hard work!
Event Highlights
