Partly empty lot in Fitchburg will get makeover

FITCHBURG At North and Main streets, where downtown Fitchburg meets Fitchburg State University, is a partially empty lot with dilapidated buildings the city has been talking about developing for years.

It will finally get a face-lift this summer.

Some officials were hoping for a mixed-use development of residential and commercial/retail space at the site. But, after years of no action, some councilors say they'll take just the business as long as something goes in there.

At Tuesday night's council meeting, Dan Curley, executive director of the Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority, updated councilors on the project. Some were unaware that construction will begin, with or without the upper floors for housing, in August.

Developer Edward "Ted" C. Carman Jr. pulled together nearly $1 million in financing for the construction of a multistory building that would include retail space on the first floor and 62 units of market-rate housing on the upper floors and already signed a contract with a major national retailer.

But to develop the housing portion of the project, Mr. Curley said, Mr. Carman is awaiting approval for financing under the New Markets Tax Credit Program. The program attracts investment capital to low-income communities by permitting individual and corporate investors to receive a federal tax credit.

"It is the last hurdle," Mr. Curley said. "It is contingent on new markets tax credit financing.

"Plan B is, if the financing is not in place by August, they'll go with a free-standing retail building. Either way, the shovel is in the ground in August."

Councilor Marcus DiNatale appeared surprised that the latter was "plan B."

"Bring on plan B," he said. "We have enough housing in downtown."

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Partly empty lot in Fitchburg will get makeover