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Apartment complex proposed for abandoned Haartz-Mason site
By Laura Paine Wicked Local WatertownPosted Feb 08, 2011 @ 06:35
PM
Last update Feb 10, 2011 @ 01:38 PM
WATERTOWN A group of developers are looking to remove one of the
worst eyesores in Watertown.According to the Bedford-based real
estate company Criterion Development Partners, an
apartment complex may be the answer to the question of what
should be done with theabandoned Haartz-Mason factory on Pleasant
Street.
CDP, and architecture firm Cube 3 Studio of Lawrence, proposed a
plan to replace thedecrepit structures with two apartment
buildings, retail space and a really wonderfulstreetscape during a
community meeting on Feb. 3.
The proposed plan will restore the buffer along the bike path
and the location will allowresidents to take advantage of the
natural amenities of the river, the proximity to therestaurants and
shops in Watertown Square and the commuting options of the bike
path and
bus lines all without needing to rely on a car, CDP Vice
President Heather Boujoulian said.The proposed four-story, U-shaped
building would include a raised courtyard facing theCharles River
and increased access to the bike paths. The building would have a
grade-levelparking garage with 189 spaces beneath the 139
residential units. It would include aclubhouse with a gym for
renters and other rooms for meetings and events.
The second building would be constructed in the parking lot at
Pleasant Street and HowardStreet. The three-story building would
also house a grade level-parking garage with 45spaces, 35
residential units and feature a retail space. Some of the garage
parking would bemade available in the garage for retail customers
during operating hours.
Its a great location for an ice cream or coffee shop, Cube 3
Studio Architect BrianOConnor said. This is a great opportunity to
take advantage of the river, improve accessand help activate this
whole area that could really use some activity. It could be a
reallymeaningful place.
For more than 70 years, Haartz-Mason Inc., a manufacturer of
roofing and auto-top fabrics,employed dozens of immigrant families
at the property. But the mill closed in 1993 and soonbecame a haven
for teen vandals and the homeless, neighbors say.
Fires in 2004 and 2007 further damaged the buildings weakening
structure and increasedneighborhood calls that it be razed before
someone wandered in and was badly hurt or killed.
The newest proposal includes 26 studios, 82 one-bedroom
apartments and 66 two-bedroomapartments, which would each cost
approximately $2 per square foot. 17 of the units will
beaffordable.
Parking will not be visible from Pleasant Street except through
the door of the garage and avariety of flowers, bushes and trees
would be planted around the property, which Boujouliansaid will
make the building look less like a blank, br ick wall.
CDP has also agreed to provide Charlie Cards to any resident who
wants one to encourageuse of public transportation. There will be
extra space in the garage for residents to keeptheir bicycles and
CDP will provide rental bicycles for complex residents to encourage
use of the bike path.
CDP has made an agreement with the Department of Conservation
and Recreation tomaintain a portion of the bike path behind the
building along the river.
Extra storage will be created beneath the building for
floodwaters that will go through afiltration system before it is
released back into the environment.
If approved, the project would take approximately 22 months to
complete. The proposalwill go before the Planning Board on Feb. 9
at 7 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers.
Laura Paine can be reached at [email protected] 2011
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