101-103 Morse Street

Zoning Board Asks Developer of Morse Street Project for More Details

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The Zoning Board of Appeals told developers looking to change a former massage school into an apartment complex that their plan needs more work before it can get approval. The complex at 101-103 Morse Street, south of the Charles River in Watertown, most recently was occupied by the Cortiva Institute, but when the massage school left property owner Kamran Shahbazi decided to change it into a residential building. The current plan calls for 44 apartments – 3 studios, 32 one-bedrooms, nine two-bedrooms and one three-bedroom – to be constructed. This is down from 49. One of the main complaints the ZBA had about the plan was a lack of information and clarity in the plans submitted by the developers, including images of what it would look like, more detailed architectural plans and descriptions of the project.

Arsenal Mall

Developers Creating Guidelines for Arsenal Yards, Must be Approved by Planning Board

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Developers of the Arsenal Yards announced plans to renovated the oldest buildings in the current Arsenal Mall to bring new life to them while adding a look reminiscent of the past. However, the anchor tenants will get more leeway to diverge from the historic look. Representatives from Boylston Properties, The Wilder Cos. and their design team discussed their plans for the first phase of the Arsenal Yards project at a Community Meeting on Thursday night. This phase includes the renovation of Building A (where Marshall’s is located) and Building E (which now houses Old Navy).

Arsenal Mall

Redevelopment of Arsenal Mall Now Includes a 145-Room Hotel

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The firms behind the redevelopment of the Arsenal Mall have added a 145-room hotel along Arsenal Street to their plans. Boylston Properties announced that they plan to put a Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton in what is known as Building B in their master plan for what is now called Arsenal Yards. Jeff Heidelberg, project manager for Boylston Properties, said that the hotel is replacing what was originally planned to be a 79-unit residential building. The difference in the number of hotel rooms compared to residential units is because hotel rooms are smaller than the apartments. Town Council President Mark Sideris said in the announcement that he welcomes the hotel and Steve Magoon, the Assistant Town Manager and Community Development and Planning Director, said it adds to the economic diversity of the project.

Development

First Phase of Arsenal Mall Renovation to be Discussed at Community Meeting

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Developers planning the renovation of the Arsenal Mall will discuss the first phase of the project during a Community Meeting on Thursday evening. Boylston Properties and The Wilder Companies will host the meeting where they will review Phase 1 of the Arsenal Yards master plan. “The purpose of this meeting will be to present and discuss the final layout and design of Building’s A and E, and discuss the operation of the property during construction,” said the meeting announcement. The master plan was approved by the Planning Board in January after nearly a year of discussions and meetings. Both buildings in Phase 1 were part of the original Watertown Arsenal.

Development

Planning Board OKs Southside Apartments, Some Concern Over Town-Owned Parking

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The Planning Board gave its support for the proposal to transform a Southside commercial building into an apartment complex on Wednesday night. The proposal changed a bit from the one presented at the January community meeting. The number of units have shrunk from 49 to 45 and the roofline design has changed to look more like it has been historically. When owner Kamran Shahbazi first purchased the building it was occupied by Cortiva Institute massage school, but soon afterward the school pulled out, as did many of the other businesses that relied on the school. Instead of looking for another tenant for the building, he decided to turn it into a residential one.

Development

Planning Board to Consider Marijuana Dispensary, Morse Street Apartments

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On Wednesday night, the Watertown Planning Board has two major agenda items – the medical marijuana dispensary proposed for Elm Street and the apartment complex on Morse Street. Two weeks ago, Natural Selections – the group seeking to open the marijuana dispensary – received a the vote it needed from the Town Council to move on to seek a special permit from the Planning and Zoning boards to open up a dispensary at 23 Elm Street in East Watertown. On Wednesday, April 12, the dispensary will appear before the Planning Board for the first time. According to the application submitted by Natural Selections, the dispensary would occupy 2,755 square feet of Building 2 on the site (behind A-Affordable Auto Insurance) and will have 22 parking spaces. Before the vote is taken by the Planning Board there will be an opportunity for resident to give their input.

330-350 Pleasant Street

Mixed Retail/Residential Project on Pleasant Street Near River Approved

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{NOTE: A correction was made at 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 14 about when the Planning Board can debate the design of the project.}

After much debate, the Planning Board approved a mixed-use project on Pleasant Street that will include retail stores, a restaurant near the Charles River and apartments. Last week, developers of 330, 350 Pleasant Street – called Water Mills at Bridge Point – appeared before the Planning Board for the second time. The team representing developer Mark Coppola of World Realty and Development Ltd. had made some minor changes to the planned 18,445 sq. ft.

Development

Developers Looking to Turn Former Massage School into Apartment Building

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A commercial building on the Southside of Watertown could be turned into an apartment complex with nearly 50 units, but some residents were skeptical about the plans. 

On Wednesday night, developers from FSL Associates of Newton presented their plan for the property at 101, 103 Morse Street. The plan calls for building a four-story apartment building with 48 units on the property that most recently was home to the Cortiva Massage School. The proposal calls for a mix of unit sizes: 6 studios, 31 one-bedrooms, 10 two-bedrooms and one three-bedroom. The building would not exceed the existing footprint, and some of the asphalt parking area will be turned into green landscaped areas. In their application, developers argue there is little demand for an isolated commercial building in the area that is predominantly residential.