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Council discusses Waube Park options — tiny homes, shared equity or reactivation of DownStreet plan
Summary
Staff and council discussed options for city-owned Waube Park (0.41 acres) as part of the flood resiliency plan, including reactivating a DownStreet shared-equity proposal, tiny/modular homes, or reissuing an RFI; constraints include landlocked access and a deed requirement to replace green space.
The flood resiliency update included a discussion of Waube Park, a 0.41-acre city-owned parcel that is out of the floodplain and has been considered for housing. Staff reminded the council that staff previously signed an option with DownStreet for four shared-equity homes but the project is not active; larger, denser proposals struggled to pencil out due to access limitations.
Councilors suggested alternative approaches including small modular or tiny homes (local manufacturer Upend This was named as a potential partner), movable units on slabs, or reissuing an RFI to solicit other ideas. Staff noted a deed restriction requires replacement green space elsewhere in the North End if Waube Park is developed and suggested buyout land from the grant program could provide replacement parkland.
Council generally supported continuing to pursue development options for this parcel while recognizing the access, fire-safety and deed-restriction constraints and agreed staff should conduct targeted outreach including a site visit with potential modular-home manufacturers.
