8/7/2019 Proposal for Watertown's Haartz-Mason Site Gets Final
OK
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Proposal for Watertown's Haartz-Mason site gets final OKCOURTESY
PHOTO
The abandoned Haartz Mason building on Pleasant Street is
proposed to be redeveloped intoa two-building apartment
complex.
By Laura PaineWicked Local WatertownPosted Mar 03, 2011 @ 12:00
PM
WATERTOWN The Haartz-Mason building was once considered one of
the worst eyesores inWatertown, but the Conservation Commission has
given the final O.K. to turn it into an apartmentcomplex.
On March 2, the commission unanimously approved the project for
the apartment complex proposedby the Bedford-based real estate
company Criterion Development Partners, which would replace
theabandoned Haartz-Mason factory and kick-start the long-term
design plan for the Pleasant Street corridor.
Commissioner Marylouise Pallotta McDermott said the only
information that disturbs her is thegroundwater report.
Commissioner Maria Rose shared her concern because it was not clear
that surfacewater samples had been collected and tested.
Our charge is the River Front Protection Act and Wetlands
Protection Act, McDermott said.Protection of the Charles River is
something we have paramount concern for.
The development team assured the commission that the
contamination levels were below the criteriafor risk, but the
commission approved the plan with the special condition that the
outfalls are sampledbefore construction and quarterly thereafter in
order to get the certificate of compliance.
The newest proposal includes 170 units consistent of studio,
one-bedroom and two-bedroomapartments, which would each cost
approximately $2 per square foot. A total of 17 units will be
madeaffordable.
CDP, and architecture firm Cube 3 Studio of Lawrence, proposed a
plan to replace the decrepitstructures with two apartment
buildings, retail space and a really wonderful streetscape.
The proposed plan will restore the buffer along the bike path
and the location will allow residents totake advantage of the
natural amenities of the river, the proximity to the restaurants
and shops inWatertown Square and the commuting options of the bike
path and bus lines all without needing to relyon a car, CDP Vice
President Heather Boujoulian said.
The proposed five-story, U-shaped building would include a
raised courtyard facing the Charles Riverand increased access to
the bike paths. The building would have a grade-level parking
garage with 189spaces beneath the 139 residential units. It would
include a clubhouse with a gym for renters and otherrooms for
meetings and events.
The second building would be constructed in the parking lot at
Pleasant Street and Howard Street.The four-story building would
also house a grade level-parking garage with 45 spaces, 35
residentialunits and feature a retail space. Four of the garage
parking spaces in addition to 11 outdoor parkingspaces would be
made available for retail customers during operating hours.
Its a great location for an ice cream or coffee shop, Cube 3
Studio Architect Brian OConnor said.This is a great opportunity to
take advantage of the river, improve access and help activate this
wholearea that could really use some activity. It could be a really
meaningful place.
For more than 70 years, Haartz-Mason Inc., a manufacturer of
roofing and auto-top fabrics, employeddozens of immigrant families.
But the mill closed in 1993 and soon became a haven for teen
vandals andthe 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.
Parking will not be visible from Pleasant Street except through
the door of the garage and a variety offlowers, bushes and trees
would be planted around the property, which Boujoulian said will
make thebuilding look less like a blank, brick wall.
CDP has also agreed to provide Charlie Cards to any resident who
wants one to encourage use ofpublic transportation. There will be
extra space in the garage for residents to keep their bicycles and
CDPwill 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 to maintain aportion of the bike path behind the
building along the river.
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