Waterworks facility to be redeveloped into single-family homes

LYNN – While the rickety shell of the former Waterworks facility on Walnut Street remains standing now, it will soon be redeveloped into five single-family homes, according to Lynn Housing Authority Neighborhood Development Manager Peggy Phelps.The building is currently surrounded by five newly constructed affordable and market priced homes, a project by LHAND and the Lynn Community Development Housing Corporation (LCDHC).”We have to go through a process and consult with the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the Lynn Historical Commission,” she said. “We met with both commissions this week and now we have to put together a summary of all the facts and figures to show why the building needs to be torn down.”The façade of the roughly 120-year-old building is all that remains of the former facility, and is in the process of being demolished and redeveloped as a mixed-use development.The residences would be sold at both market and affordable rates and would include three on Childs Street, two on Flint Street, and two multi-family homes on Walnut Street.Residents and abutters collectively agreed to raze the building at a public hearing in July, stating the structure was unsound and a financial risk for developers to renovate.Engineer Chuck Faia of Parsons & Faia Inc., previously said existing cracks, rotting bricks and extensive masonry work would result in extensive repair costs that would most likely not net a profitable return with homebuyers in the Lynn area.In July, LHAND Executive Director Charles Gaeta said he hoped to have a “fast track demo” take place to demolish the building prior to the start of a new school year in September.That date, however, has since passed.”Unfortunately these things take time,” Phelps said. “However, we hope to break ground next spring in 2008 after we get the go ahead from the Massachusetts Historical Commission.”Phelps said the summary process would take between 30 to 60 days to complete.