LYNN — While the city raised the Juneteenth flag on the front steps of City Hall Tuesday, concerned citizens, as well as Lynn United for Change, gathered inside to protest a developer’s bid to build luxury apartments at 811 Lynnway — despite the developer’s promise to give $3 million to the city for affordable housing.
After delivering their speeches at the entrance of the City Hall, the protesters then went to the meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), where the developers were seeking a parking variance that was supported by the city development team,which passed unanimously.
“While we do see this as a step in the right direction, we have to be honest about what is missing from this agreement,” said Celly De La Cruz, community organizer for Lynn United for Change.
To indicate what is missing from the current 811 Lynnway project proposal, Lynn United for Change developed a legislation proposal addressing inclusive affordable housing development to prevent displacement and segregation, and to make sure that Lynn residents have a voice before decisions are made.
Some of those present said that their voices were not always heard. Lynn resident Ana Galindo said she was an example of the housing crisis in Lynn, where, she says, the luxury buildings in the city are the reason for displacement and segregation. She said that she lived in deplorable conditions with vermin, bedbugs, cockroaches, broken floors, leaky ceilings, and without the hope of the landlord fixing any of these issues.
“Many times, when I saw the new constructions of these luxury buildings here in Lynn, I was quite happy thinking that I was finally going to be able to apply for one of these apartments and live more comfortably with my family, but unfortunately the reality of these constructions is very different,” said Galindo.
Another Lynn resident, Pebbles Fuentes, said that while the Lynnway developer’s vow to give $3 million to the city of Lynn to invest in affordable rent is a step forward, that should be followed by the next step — the acceptance of the public participation of the community in the negotiations, “in which the most affected party has neither a voice nor a vote.”
“I have been on the affordable housing list for 12 years; how much longer should I be on the list waiting?” said Lynn resident Amberlee LaRocque.
The development in question is located on the site of a former used car lot, adjacent to Starbucks, on the southbound side of the Lynnway. Under current zoning regulations, the developer is not obligated to include affordable units in the project. This marks the first time a developer has contributed funds that will be restricted for affordable housing, Mayor Jared Nicholson said.
“We have really high aspirations for development that is inclusive,” Nicholson said. “We appreciate this developer coming to the table with this project and being willing to make this investment that will support our affordable housing initiatives.”
However, the residents consider that their voices were not heard, as when they went to the zoning board meeting on this project for the first time, the hearing was postponed, and they did not have a chance to speak.
“The issue was tabled without a chance for comment, frustrating many in the audience,” reads the press release from Lynn United for Change.
After that, more than 150 Lynn residents signed a letter to Nicholson, Ward 6 Councilor Fred Hogan, and the Zoning Board demanding that the variances be granted only if the developer agrees to make 25 percent of the apartments affordable at levels appropriate for Lynn households.
“We need to make sure that in the future there is a chance to hear the voices of low-income people who, no matter how hard we try, can’t get an affordable rental apartment,” said Fuentes.
Oksana Kotkina can be reached at [email protected].
