by Frank Schroth
The redevelopment of the Hendries building is largely an enigma to the neighborhood. The residents do not know what is happening. Does anyone? There are three issues or strands dangling unresolved. The Building Inspector issued a demolition order which was affirmed by the Board of Selectmen late last year (see related post here); but there the building sits. There are at least two reasons for that.
The building is co-owned by Carrick Realty and the town. The whole building should come down. Logically both parties would cooperate and the entire structure would come down in one go. It is complicated. There are homes nearby, there is the MBTA which would need to be shut down, etc. But the town’s RFP for demolition services and selection was appealed and the town needs to rebid the contract. Second, Carrick Realty contends that there is nothing structurally wrong with their portion of the building. The building inspector cited a collapse in the roof as evidence of the need to take the building down; but apparently there is a portion of the building that is not specified in the deeds. Hard as it may be to believe, the collapse is on the portion of the building that no one owns or is claiming ownership of. So that is one hairball.
Second, Carrick Realty was denied their special permit to build a mixed use development. They have been considering another proposal, a 40B apartment building of approximately 72 units. However, the town has yet to receive notification from DCHD that the plan has been filed. And there is some question as to whether it can be filed. Given the denial of the special permit there may be a need for a 12 month “cooling off” period. That cooling off period is right around the corner. It would end in late August. The market for apartments is strong in this neighborhood according to a recent article in the Dorchester Reporter (see article here). There is also a pending enforcement action from the Conservation Commission regarding the removal of the black oak. The Conservation Commission has yet to define what the reparations will be.
Lastly, a group has convened to determine if the mixed use development can be revived. Senator Joyce has asked some officials and residents to get together with the Connelly’s (i.e. Carrick Realty) to see if modifications can be made that are compliant with zoning and amenable to Connellys (see related post here). There have been several meetings. Alex Whiteside, Planning Board member, is expected to update the board tomorrow evening on the status of that. The Connellys have not publicly indicated whether they are open to revisiting the plan or not.
One development that moved through fairly quickly was the proposal by Seasons Hospice to build a facility on the site of the St. Elizabeth’s rectory. The Zoning Board of Appeals approved the application. The developer is awaiting the written decision on this. There will be a twenty day comment period upon the filing of the decision. What is not known is where all the granite went.
Lastly, it is spring and Turners Pond is full of life. Two mother ducks who nested in the courtyard at Glover recently led their new borns to the pond. While we haven’t spotted then, there are also so new goslings on the scene.
