Construction begins at Peter Bulkeley Terrace in Concord

The sounds of hammering drifted from the fenced-off Peter Bulkeley Terrace in Concord Tuesday afternoon as a crowd of two dozen gathered to celebrate the building’s transformation from a congregate living facility into an apartment complex for seniors and the disabled.

“This redevelopment took a lot of staying power,” said Arthur Jemison, assistant undersecretary at the state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). “It has been one of the unique public-private partnerships in the state, using DHCD funds, CPA resources and very significant contributions from private philanthropic organizations.”

Besides $3.08 million from the DHCD and $1 million in Community Preservation Committee money, funding sources include the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Trust Fund; the sale of the Belknap House in Concord; and private local donations from the Concord Housing Development Corporation and the Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation. The project cost is slightly less than $6.7 million.

Everyone worked together on this project, said Concord Housing Authority Board Chairwoman Mary Johnson.

“I don’t think any one person did this alone. We all did it together,” Johnson said. “Each person carried enthusiasm for this project. All of us wanted this to happen.”

Concord Town Manager Christopher Whelan said the collaboration has been fruitful.

“It’s great that senior citizens will be able to live in the heart of town and walk to the library and downtown, and that the Housing Authority has been able to adapt to changing living patterns, which are no longer congregational living,” Whelan said.

CHA board member Christopher Jane Corkery praised Johnson, the board and the CHA administrative staff for their work on the project.

“These are the people who drive it,” Corkery said.

Built in 1912, Peter Bulkeley Terrace served as administrative offices before being converted to a single-room occupancy space. The renovated building, designed by Abacus Architects, will consist of 23 one-bedroom apartments and one studio apartment, each measuring 600 to 700 square feet. Four of these units will be handicapped-accessible.

The building will include air conditioning, laundry facilities, and open community spaces. Tenants pay 27 percent of their income toward rent, which includes heat and hot water but not electricity, and an activity program will be available on-site.

Tuesday, Concord officials shivered in the brisk wind as they watched L.D. Russo interior demolition workers climbing ladders, visible through the empty windows of Peter Bulkeley Terrace. Construction is expected to finish in 10 months.

“Next time we have a celebration here, we’re going to take you inside,” Johnson promised.

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Construction begins at Peter Bulkeley Terrace in Concord