Mayor Thomas M. Menino today cut the ribbon for the Westland Avenue Apartments Preservation Project, which involved the acquisition and preservation by the Fenway Community Development Corporation of four mixed-income buildings at 65-67, 64-68, 72-78, and 83 Westland Avenue in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston. This rehabilitation project not only preserved the affordability of 61 apartments in an important mixed-income development, but also ensured economic diversity in a highly desirable neighborhood.

"As you get settled back into your homes, you will see and feel the difference these improvements have made," Mayor Menino said. "These apartments provide dozens of much needed low and moderate income units. Even as we continue our efforts to build affordable housing, it's vital that we preserve every affordable unit in our city."

The Fenway CDC acquired the property in January 2005 and undertook extensive renovations. These included modifications to the atrium, conversion of the existing electric heating system to gas, window and boiler replacement, and building envelope restoration. The renovations remedied a potential fire safety hazard, ensured the long-term viability of the property, and safeguarded the surrounding neighborhood. All of the apartments have wall-to-wall carpeting, dishwashers, garbage disposals, and individual air conditioning units.

"This development reflects the Menino Administration to preserving the affordable housing in our city, and it continues a long line of success in that area," said Charlotte Golar Richie, chief of housing and director of the Department of Neighborhood Development. "I want to thank our partners and congratulate them on this successful development."

As a result of the Westland Avenue Apartments Preservation Project, the unit breakdown is as follows: 30 low-income Section 8 units, 19 tax credit units affordable to 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI), 12 moderate income units affordable to 80% AMI, 34 market rate units, and one manager's unit.

The total development cost of this project was approximately $21.5 million. Bilt-Rite was the contractor and Mostue & Associates was the architect.

Funding for this project was provided by the Department of Neighborhood Development ($3,175,000), MassHousing ($10,500,000), Department of Housing and Community Development ($2,000,000), developer equity and loans ($1,742,759), tax credit equity ($3,458,955), and 6A Tax Liability Assumed ($615,197).

Mayor Menino was joined by Carl Nagy-Koechlin (Executive Director, Fenway CDC), Robert Pyne (Director of Rental Development, MassHousing), Thomas Maxwell (Principal, MMA Financial, LLC), Sheneal Parker (Board President, Fenway CDC), Ms. Santosh Sharma and other residents of Westland Avenue Apartments, and local residents.