Templeton breaks ground on first multi-family housing in 25 years: Where is it?
On June 10, MPZ Development LLC and Capstone Communities LLC celebrated the official groundbreaking of Baldwinville School Apartments redevelopment project in Templeton. The Baldwinville School Apartments project is set to bring much-needed affordable housing to Templeton, according to a community announcement.
The redevelopment of the historic Baldwinville Elementary School will create 54 rental units, with 49 designated as affordable for households earning 30% to 60% of the area median income. The project is the first multi-family housing initiative in Templeton in over 25 years.
The development, designed by ICON Architecture, will include a new Enterprise Green Communities-certified, Passive House addition. The apartments will offer various layouts, including lofts, studios, and one to three-bedroom units, many of which will be rehabilitated from the original school structure.
Future residents will have access to several on-site amenities, such as an outdoor courtyard, community green space, children's playground, fitness center, electric-vehicle charging stations, in-building laundry, and a community walking trail leading to an overlook of the Otter River.
The project was made possible through financing from several sources, including the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, MassHousing, Rockland Trust, National Equity Fund, the Massachusetts Historical Commission, and The Life Initiative. The Templeton Community Preservation Committee also contributed $1.924 million, and the project received $750,000 from the Underutilized Properties Program via the Community One Stop for Growth awards, administered by MassDevelopment.
'Capstone Communities and MPZ Development are thrilled to celebrate the official groundbreaking of Baldwinville School Apartments in Templeton today,' Jason Korb, principal of Capstone Communities, and Mathieu P. Zahler, principal of MPZ, said in the announcement. 'We're proud to breathe new life to this historic school building and bring deeply needed affordable housing to Templeton. Baldwinville School Apartments are a reflection of what's possible through collaboration, both locally and throughout the commonwealth. We hope that this project will support Templeton through thoughtful and purposeful redevelopment.'
The project has garnered support from various state and local officials.
'The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to bringing down housing costs for all residents and creating more housing across the state for families at all income levels,' Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities, Ed Augustus, said in the announcement. 'We are proud to contribute funding in support of these new mixed-income units that will allow families to live affordably in Templeton.'
'This long-awaited housing project is a fantastic example of a public, private partnership and the Healey-Driscoll administration's commitment to uplifting rural communities,' Anne Gobi, director of Rural Affairs, said in the announcement. 'I look forward to seeing the historic school occupied again and I know the new residents will enjoy all Templeton and the region has to offer.'
State Sen. Peter Durant, R-Spencer, and State Rep. Jonathan D. Zlotnik, 2nd Worcester District, also expressed their support for the project.
'Today is a day of new beginnings for this site and it's my pleasure to be here to see the ceremonial shovels going into the ground to kick off this project,' Durant said in the announcement. 'Templeton has recognized its need for additional affordable housing and the Baldwinville School Apartments will fill that need. The design plans look amazing, and I am looking forward to the day when we see the finished project.'
The project has been in the works since early 2020, according to Holly Young, Templeton's interim town administrator.
'It has taken a lot of work and joint efforts from the Town of Templeton departments working with Matt Zahler of MPZ Development and Jason Korb of Capstone Communities to see this project come to fruition,' Young said in the announcement. 'I look forward to seeing the building take shape and the project completed as it will enhance the entire neighborhood.'
More information on the project can be found at thebaldwinvilleschoolapts.com.
This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
This article originally appeared on Gardner News: This historic school in Templeton is getting a major new purpose
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