Exactly. The Roux housing impact will be substantial going down Washington Ave. to where Redfern is going to build over 360 small apartments. They will more than likely start this summer or fall, hoping (and are applying pressure) for a city change with its inclusionary zoning penalty. There is absolutely no way that they are going to build nearly 100 affordable units in this area for a significantly reduced profit. By January of 2028 (the first semester at the new Roux), it will be a total sellers market and a desperate one for renters. Roux is committed to building a pedestrian/biking bridge next to 295 that will connect to the Bayside trail. Now, from Roux to Redfern's new building it's maybe a brisk ten-minute walk or easy 5 min. E-bike ride. Going down Washington Ave. from the above proposal at the corner of Congress to Redfern's new build, there are probably at least ten properties that could be developed into market rate housing that could appeal to Roux (I've heard through Roux that it could be up to 8,000 students by 2031). I know someone who owns one lot (teardown) along this stretch, and the AmVets property is up for sale. The bottle redemption center and the small office building to its right are also available, though not officially on the market. This area and Route 1 in Falmouth are good places for Roux to concentrate on. The residents of East Deering will put up a NIMBY stink with any more development.
Roux also needs a small hotel for their business model. A current program features at least 30 "students" from other countries who own current start-ups with a need to learn A.I. skills. This program will see substantial growth--perhaps tripled, so at least 100 per semester. The entire old bean factory is undergoing a massive renovation for incubators. I think a citizenM Hotel could work for these students along with teaching and lecturing visitors. A while back, Holiday Inn was interested in the Northern Burner lot, the one that Redfern is going to build on. There are only a few places along this stretch of Wash. Ave. that could go for less than a million, or now. I'd buy the whole street if I could. You don't need a crystal ball for this one.
