Newton Armory Project Secures Permit, Moves Toward Groundbreaking

NEWTON, MA — Plans to redevelop Newton’s West Newton Armory as a fully affordable housing development took a major step forward last week via a vote from the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals.

The board approved a Chapter 40B Comprehensive Permit for the project by a unanimous vote on Jan. 11.

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller later spotlighted the vote in a message to the community on Friday.

“This achievement is the culmination of nearly four years of strategic planning, collaboration, and careful attention to the many aspects of sensitively revitalizing an iconic building to serve people needing deeply affordable apartments,” Fuller said.

The National Guard decommissioned its more than 100-year-old West Newton Armory in 2019, transferring ownership of the site to the state. Newton officials soon eyed the old armory, launching a study in 2020 to look at the feasibility of an affordable housing project.

The state sold the armory to Newton for $1 in September 2021 with the condition that it will move forward with a fully affordable development.

More than a year later, the project is nearing its financing and construction phase having obtained necessary approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Planned work at the site aims to add 43 apartments available for individuals and families earning incomes between 30% and 60% of the area median. The 30% figure for a family of four translates to about $42,000, according to Fuller. The 60% threshold is just over $84,100.

Development plans will preserve the Armory’s historic front facade while adding an addition behind the current front of the building. The development will include underground parking.

A project presentation filed with the Zoning Board of Appeals in October showed 31 total parking spaces at the envisioned redeveloped armory site, with 26 spaces in the underground garage and five surface spaces.

The project is slated to also include parking for 65 bikes, including 43 interior bike storage spaces.

Newton issued a request for proposals in 2021 seeking proposals from affordable housing developers interested in the West Newton Armory project. Seven candidates came forward, with Newton eventually selecting a combined proposal by MetroWest Collaborative Development, a Newton nonprofit; and Civico Development.

Newton has backed the armory project with close to $5 million in combined funding from multiple sources. The estimated total project cost is $25 million, with MetroWest Collaborative Development and Civico both planning to seek their own financing, according to Fuller.

Project personnel plan to apply for state Low Income Housing Tax Credit Support this week, according to Fuller.

Fuller said last week that she is “particularly grateful” for the work of city Director of Housing and Community Development Amanda German and city Housing Program Manager Eamon Bencivengo.

Next steps for armory redevelopment work include an anticipated groundbreaking in the spring of 2025, according to estimates in recent project plans.

Crews first plan to finalize construction drawings and apply for a building permit in late 2024.