Re: Hong Lok Project - Chinatown
Rogerson Communities is new to this forum, but we would like to share further details about the Hong Lok House project with those who are interested. We are in the process of getting our website updated, and it should be done by tomorrow. In the meantime, following is the text of the press release regarding the groundbreaking which provides quite a few of the pertinent details.
While our formal celebration will occur on August 4, it is expected that physical site work will begin closer to the end of the month as contractor Walsh Brothers is now arranging for subs and purchasing materials.
Contact:
Anne Morton Smith, VP, Development & Community Relations
O: 617.469-5810
E:
smith@rogerson.org
STALLED CHINATOWN HOUSING PROJECT FINALLY BREAKS GROUND
Groundbreaking Celebration:
Thursday, August 4 -- 10 AM
China Pearl
9 Tyler Street
Chinatown, Boston
Boston, MA ---- (July 12, 2011) - - -The Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center [GBCGAC], a nonprofit that serves Chinese-speaking Asian seniors, is celebrating the much anticipated groundbreaking of the new Hong Lok House on Essex Street in Boston’s Chinatown on August 4, 2011. Putting shovels in the ground culminates a five year struggle to redevelop a vital center for Chinatown’s seniors.
The effort dates back to April, 2006 when GBCGAC first engaged Rogerson Communities to redevelop the existing Hong Lok House, an outdated HUD-202 residence for low-inclome elders. Developed in 1978, the 28-unit elder housing facility has been in dire need of rehabilitation for years. In fact, the adult day health program, located in the basement, no longer meets licensing requirements and is allowed to operate only through a grandfather clause.
As Boston’s premier developer of affordable elder housing, Rogerson Communities took on the very complicated task of fundraising and securing financing, as well as managing design and construction of the new 8-story Hong Lok House. Rogerson’s expertise includes compiling numerous government funding sources together with private fundraising to move the project forward. Yet just as financing was falling into place, the economic downturn of 2008 stalled construction. It is nothing short of miraculous that construction is now finally beginning and the community could not be more pleased.
“Working with Rogerson Communities to bring this project to fruition, I am thrilled and proud that construction of the New Hong Lok House is beginning. I am looking forward to the completion of this wonderful project and am excited to be planning for the programs and services for the residents and community's elders,” stated Ruth Moy, Executive Director of Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center.
DESIGN:
In managing the design of this project, Rogerson has to take into account the needs of both frail residents and historic concerns. Located in the important Liberty Tree Historic District, the old facades of the buildings will be preserved and construction has been planned in stages in order to avoid displacing frail and elderly residents. Residents will be moved into new apartments before demolishing the old building.
Most important, all units will remain affordable in perpetuity. Chiaming Sze Architects designed the building and Walsh Brothers is general contractor. The new Hong Lok House will be the center of activity for Chinatown’s seniors and will promote a sense of stability, caring and community in Boston’s Chinatown. The building will feature:
74 new apartments for low-income elders with an additional unit for a live-in manager
An adult day health program for 32 participants daily, a significant increase over the current daily enrollment allowed of only twenty with wheelchair and street level accessibility and privacy for medical treatment
“Green roof” and T’ai Chi deck
A separate senior drop-in center, offering community space, fitness programs and ballroom dancing.
Rogerson Communities is excited to continue its efforts in developing properties that meet high standards for green building. Hong Lok House will meet the U.S. green building council’s LEED Silver standard. It will have many energy efficient features, including the “green roof” which will provide essential on-site outdoor space for residents who have long been contained within a neighborhood of concrete. The roof will be fully accessible and reached easily via an elevator.
FINANCING:
The total cost of redeveloping Hong Lok House is projected at $33 Million.
To date Rogerson has raised over $4 million in private donations from corporate and individual donors. Top donors include:
$2 million from State Street
$1.37.5 million from Charles H. Farnsworth Charitable Trust
$250,000 from Tufts Medical Center
Additional commitments include:
$7,026,272 from K.P. Residences, an Alan and Harriet Lewis Family entity, through the affordable housing program at the Boston Redevelopment Authority
$1 million in Linkage Funds from Archstone-Smith and the Boston Redevelopment Authority
$850,000 in Facade Preservation Linkage Funds from the Boston Redevelopment Authority
$1 million in HOME and/or Community Development Block Grant funds from the City of Boston’s Department of Neighborhood Development
$750,000 from the City of Boston’s Neighborhood Housing Trust
The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development has approved:
$1 million in HOME funds
$1 million from the Housing Stabilization Fund
$1.5 million from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund
$1 million from the Housing Innovations Fund, and
$714,861 from Community Based Housing
MassDevelopment has provided a commitment to provide tax-exempt volume cap construction financing for $ 17,050,000 with 4% Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC)
The Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center was founded in 1972 after neighborhood activists – members of community organizations, merchants, professionals, students, and elderly residents – recognized the lack of supportive services for Chinese-speaking elders. The organization’s goal is to promote the general welfare of Chinese-speaking Asian elders by providing programs and services that help them to maintain their independence and live at home. Today, the agency provides congregate housing and a comprehensive network of services such as nutrition, adult day health, elder-at-risk, lifeline and transportation programs. The agency serves approximately 1,200 people per day through its programs and services.
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