Planning Board backs referral for 305‑unit affordable redevelopment of Saint John towers

The Planning Board on June 10 recommended approval of a zoning referral for a proposed redevelopment of the Saint John towers into an approximately 305‑unit all‑affordable apartment building.

Ray Mazzeo and Rick Redness of Redness & Mead outlined the site's history and redevelopment aims. Rick Redness said the two cylindrical towers are functionally obsolete and that the replacement project would preserve or replace affordable housing downtown. David McCarthy, president of Heritage Housing Inc., a joint‑venture partner on the proposal, explained financing details and affordability mix, saying the plan uses income averaging and that "our average AMI is 55% AMI." He added income averaging allows mixing some 80% AMI units to enable production of deeper affordability, including 30% AMI units.

Board members asked about an executed tax‑abatement agreement raised in a piece of public comment and whether it limits future redevelopment to 60% AMI; developers said they were aware of deed restrictions and tax agreements and would revisit abatement language with a land transfer. Members also asked about sanitary sewer capacity and suggested updated metering or engineering verification; the project team said they would coordinate with engineering and provide more data at the zoning board stage.

Design concepts shown during the general development plan stage include two levels of parking, double‑height amenity space, and streetscape features intended to activate Tresser Boulevard and the pedestrian realm. The Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the referral to the Zoning Board.