LYNN — Three different developers are competing to turn the site of the former Thurgood Marshall Middle School at 19 Porter St. into affordable housing units for seniors.
On Tuesday, Feb. 14, the city’s Public Property and Parks Committee will vote to approve one of three proposals — one from the non-profit developer B’nai B’rith Housing, another from the Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc (POAH) and a third from 2Life Communities, the current developer of the Solimine House senior housing development at 500 Lynnfield St.
Since the century-old building was shuttered in 2015, plans to demolish or redevelop the site had all fallen through. In 2021 the city approved East Boston Community Development Corporation’s (EBCDC) $2.5 million bid for senior housing development, but disagreements between the city and the developer killed the project before it began, Ward Three City Councilor Coco Alinsug said.
One of the city’s top priorities, City Planner Aaron Clausen said, is to select a developer that can quickly take over property management, ridding the Inspectional Services Department of its maintenance costs.
“The desire was to have whoever the developer is, whoever we select, immediately upon signing land development agreements, take over the responsibility of maintaining the building, so that the city wouldn’t have to incur that cost,” Clausen said.
A city council member, who spoke under the condition that he or she not be named, said that while there are still three proposals on the table, the city plans to select 2Life’s $1.71 million bid.
The counselor said that 2Life’s site will, most likely, be selected Tuesday for its parking options and its plan to quickly demolish the former school.
“I believe they picked the same non-profit that’s working on the old Union Hospital (2Life),” the counselor said. “One of the reasons the city likes them is because there’s more parking, and they’re going to take care of the building — they’re going to demolish it.”
If their proposal is approved, 2Life’s residence will offer “approximately 114 high quality apartments with innovative services,” for low-income seniors aged 62 or older.
Given the Marshall site’s four-mile proximity to 2Life’s Solimine House site at 500 Lynnfield St., the proposal states that the two senior housing services could mutually benefit from one another.
“The 19 Porter St. site is approximately four miles from 500 Lynnfield St, and the combined developments will provide scale and efficiency to 2Life’s operating and service program, which will enhance what we have to offer at each site,” the proposal said.
In an interview Monday, Alinsug said that he is glad the committee will select a developer after nearly eight years. He said that his Ward Three constituents have been tired of the abandoned building for a long time.
“Residents in that area are tired of waiting like this. There’s a lot of over-grown trees, a rat problem, the building’s not safe and a lot of kids are hanging out there,” Alinsug said. “I’m glad that it’s happening now, and I’m glad that they are going to bring this to the committee tomorrow.”
