LYNN — A long-vacant building at the gateway to Lynn may soon be transformed into a new residential development, as city officials, developers, and neighborhood residents continue discussions ahead of a June 9 public hearing.
The project centers on the former W Proodian and Sons Inc. on Western Avenue, a structure that city leaders describe as both an eyesore and a safety concern.
The proposal, led by Singh Realty Group, LLC, would demolish the existing building and replace it with six condominium-style residential units with on-site parking and traffic modifications designed to address neighborhood concerns.
Ward 2 Councilor Obed Matul said the location is one of the city’s most visible entry points and deserves redevelopment that reflects positively on Lynn.
“Western Avenue is the gateway into the city coming from Salem,” Matul stated. “One of the first things that you see is the stapled building that has been there for so long.”
Matul described the property as effectively abandoned and emphasized the importance of creating a welcoming first impression for visitors entering Lynn from neighboring communities.
“We need something that is gonna be eye-catching; we need something that’s gonna be beautiful; we need something that’s gonna be feeling welcome,” he said.
The councilor also connected the proposal to broader beautification efforts already underway around Floating Bridge Pond, including recent cleanups and a Springfest event aimed at attracting residents to the area.
“We’re highlighting that area because it’s the gateway into the city,” he said.
Early versions of the development proposal included commercial storefronts on the first floor and residential units above. However, concerns over traffic and limited parking quickly became the dominant issue during meetings between city officials, developers, and neighbors.
“The first thing I said is: We do not have the parking that you need for this area,” Matul said.
Over the past year, the project team has met with the mayor, planning officials, and neighborhood residents to revise the proposal. According to Matul, the project evolved from six commercial units and four apartments into an entirely residential plan consisting of six two-bedroom units and nine parking spaces.
Attorney AJ Capano, who represents Singh Realty Group, said the project has undergone significant revisions since developers purchased the property in December 2024.
“We’ve been working on this case for over a year now,” Capano said. “My client saw what’s there now — a vacant, dilapidated building at the critical gateway to Lynn — and they saw the opportunity to invest.”
Capano explained that the original proposal sought to maintain commercial use on the ground floor while expanding residential units above. However, after discussions with city officials and residents, developers concluded that a fully residential project would better fit the surrounding neighborhood.
“We quickly realized that parking was going to be the main challenge,” Capano said. “So, we pivoted.”
Under the revised proposal, the existing structure would be demolished and replaced with six approximately 1,400-square-foot condominium units. Each unit would include an interior garage parking space beneath the building, while three additional exterior parking spaces would bring the total to nine off-street spaces.
“They’re going to be six new homeowners, six new people that have skin in the game,” Capano said. “People that are going to invest in their pride and into their homes.”
Traffic circulation has also been redesigned to minimize congestion along Western Avenue.
According to Capano, residents would enter the property through a “16-foot wide driveway on Manning Road” before exiting onto Western Avenue, using a one-way traffic pattern.
He added that the exit would include “a do not enter sign facing Western Ave and a stop sign facing the residence” to improve safety.
Capano said the site design also accommodates emergency vehicle access, trash removal, and snow storage.
“The biggest concern with my constituents… is traffic and parking control,” Matul said.
Capano noted that the development’s proximity to MBTA bus stops supports the city’s broader goals for transit-oriented housing.
The proposed development is located near the Western Avenue at Buchanan Street and Western Avenue at Fay Street bus stops.
“We want to build houses near public transportation so that people are encouraged to take it,” he said. “That’s exactly what we’re building here.”
Capano and Matul have also pointed to the developer’s previous work on Birchbrook Landing, a 28-unit townhouse development in Lynn, as an example of the quality they hope to bring to the Western Avenue site.
Community engagement remains ongoing ahead of the June 9 special permit hearing. Matul said neighborhood feedback has already influenced major changes to the proposal.
“I’m personally, I’m from here,” Capano said. “I want the gateway to my community to look better than it does right now.”
He added that replacing the vacant building with new housing would create “something that we can be proud to say is the entrance to our city.”
“The building isn’t safe,” Capano stated. “It’s really a liability at this point.”
