Housing task delivers new lifestyle to downtown spot

FITCHBURG – Developer Nick Pelletier of Pelletier Qualities gave a tour Friday to Mayor Stephen DiNatale, state Sen. John Cronin, and state Rep. Michael Kushmerek of the housing job his enterprise is constructing on the corner of Blossom and Crescent streets.

7 1,700-square-foot, two-bedroom units are staying built on the web-site of the prior household of the historic Crescent developing, which burned down in 2001. The internet site was bought to a developer who started construction in 2005 on luxurious condominiums, but soon after design began the earlier developer defaulted on the challenge with only foundations and first web-site function full.

“It was deserted foundations for decades,” Pelletier mentioned. “The house remained an eyesore at the downtown intersection for virtually 15 years.”

Pelletier Properties took web-site manage in January 2020 of the .508-acre good deal that had a exclusive permit still in location. After discussions with the City of Fitchburg which include DiNatale Fitchburg Building Office, MassDevelopment, the Redevelopment Authority, and Fitchburg Housing and Development Office environment the undertaking strategies had been revised to improved meet latest industry wants and new making codes.

Pelletier mentioned he wants to name the housing units Crescent Townhouses as an homage to the previous developing, and that they ended up capable to get $340,000 in Housing Advancement Incentive System tax credits for the undertaking which he estimates will be finished sometime in June.

“Without that this wouldn’t have been probable, we purchased the land at chance,” he mentioned of the tax credits. “Things are going great.”

Pelletier claimed they have utilized a quantity of regional contractors and businesses from Fitchburg and the region for the challenge, together with Bob Hakala of Hakala Bros Corp., the former developer who bought Pelletier the assets and stayed on as the standard contractor.

“I am just content to have the whole factor finished,” Hakala mentioned. “It’s an asset to the community. I am grateful to the Pelletier brothers for having this on, we are very happy and enthusiastic to be a section of it nonetheless.”

The challenge will increase considerably wanted current market-price housing to the downtown corridor. Pelletier stated that when the units could potentially be offered in the upcoming, for now they will be rentals.

“I think incredibly strongly this is a rental market place,” he explained. “I really do not think offering them would be good correct now, it’s possible extended time period.”

Every single two-tale unit attributes an open up principle dwelling room and dining area space, wrap-around staircase, comprehensive lavatory, laminate flooring, a roomy storage closet and recessed lights. Some of the models showcase a sweeping watch of downtown Fitchburg and every one has its own oversize garage that could be utilized for additional storage.

“I realized garages would be vital,” Pelletier claimed.

Pelletier mentioned he has not shown the assets but but that he has had a lot of curiosity.

“I have had people contact my mobile,” he explained. “I do not want to say ‘ready June 1’ and then it not happen. I want to make certain the timing is proper.”

Spiral staircases off the Blossom Avenue side of making will guide up to the 2nd egress, and the housing device is inside strolling distance to downtown and features there including bars, dining places, workplaces and the MBTA commuter rail.

“For me, the proximity to the prepare station was crucial to this task,” Pelletier claimed. “I visualize young experts, commuters and local professionals, transferring in below. The methods are right here and there is so a great deal to do listed here.”

DiNatale, Kushmerek and Cronin all praised Pelletier for his component in the challenge and revamping the site.

“Here you are a young developer making this expenditure and showing other people what can be carried out,” Kushmerek stated.

DiNatale reported the metropolis “couldn’t be happier and extra thankful” to Pelletier and all the men and women associated in the challenge for bringing it to fruition.

“This was a finish eyesore, now it is best urban residing,” DiNatale claimed even though experiencing the downtown watch out a window on the 2nd floor of 1 of the units.

Cronin congratulated Pelletier on the job, indicating “it seems marvelous.”

“I assume this undertaking extra than something else is a image of the irreversible momentum in downtown Fitchburg,” Cronin explained.