The CHA is approximately half-way through its ambitious $1 billion reinvestment in public housing in Cambridge which is started in 2010. Since that time, CHA has completed or has underway $583 million of construction at its public housing properties.
Current construction projects total approximately $255 million affecting 695 units are listed below.
Current Construction Projects
Millers River – $115 million
Construction on the 300 units at Millers River started in January 2019, and is scheduled to be completed in early 2022. Work is proceeding from the top of the building down. As of January 2021, work will have been completed in Floors 13 through 19. Every building system is be replaced or upgrade and a new air conditioning system installed. The building is being cladded with an insulated metal panel. New community center is being constructed as an addition to the building. Thirteen new handicapped accessible units will be constructed as part of the construction work.
Burns Apartments – $70 million
Construction on the 198 units at Burns Apartments started in February 2020, and is scheduled to be completed in late 2022. Work is proceeding in one wing of the 50 Churchill building. As of January 2022, the first renovated units will be turned over to CHA with the goal to have the second phase of construction fully underway by March 2021. As with Millers River, every building system is be replaced or upgrade and a new air conditioning system installed at Burns. The building is being insulated and cladded with a cementitious panel. Enhanced and expanded community spaces are being constructed including a new second floor outdoor deck. Eight new handicapped accessible units will be constructed as part of the construction work.
Roosevelt Towers Low-Rise – $35 million
Construction on the 112 units at Roosevelt Towers started in January 2020, and is scheduled to be completed in early 2022. Work is preceding hallway by hallway with the first hallways scheduled to be completed in early 2021. Apartment interiors are being fully updated with new kitchens, bathrooms, flooring and fixtures. A new heating system is being installed as is a new ventilation system.
78-80 Porter Road – $12 million
Construction on the 26 units at 78-80 Porter Road started in January 2020, and is scheduled to be completed in mid-2021. The building was constructed in 1915, and the renovations will retain its historic charm and key features. The building required extensive refurbishment having seen very little substantive renovations for many years. Work includes replacing the roof, completing significant masonry restoration, installing new windows, upgrading all unit finishes and fixtures, and installing new building systems including a fire protection system. Two of the 26 units will be made handicapped accessible.
Truman Apartments – $23 million
Construction on the 59 units at Truman Apartments starts in January 2021, and will be completed by mid-2022. The building was constructed in the late 1960’s and has seen only limited modernization since that time. Given the significant deterioration of building masonry a cladding system will be installed along with new windows. The roof and building systems will be replaced and upgraded. Apartment finishes and fixtures including new kitchens and bathrooms will be provided.