Mayor Walsh, Governor Baker, Boston Housing Authority and Trinity Financial celebrate completion of phase two of Overlook Terrace at Orient Heights

(BOSTON - Thursday, November 12, 2020) - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Governor Charlie Baker today marked the completion of Phase Two of Overlook Terrace at Orient Heights with a virtual 'ribbon cutting' event - joining the Boston Housing Authority (BHA), the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and the development team of Trinity Financial and the East Boston Community Development Corporation.

Phase Two of the project involved the demolition of 87 original units in four buildings and the new construction of 88 State Public Housing rental units in a combination of apartment style and townhouse homes. The Phase Two property, which also includes new community and open spaces and play areas, achieved LEED Gold certifiability for sustainability and energy efficiency. 

Photo credit: Anthony Crisafulli, Trinity Financial

"The Orient Heights development is a great Boston story," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "We brought lots of partners together, we got creative sourcing funding, and we harnessed the economic strength of our city to create powerful opportunities for working families. I congratulate everyone involved in the financing, design and construction. I thank the tenants for their patience and input, and the BHA for working with them on relocation and return."

"I'm pleased to celebrate the completion of Phase II of Overlook Terrace at Orient Heights, preserving hundreds of affordable units for Boston residents," said Governor Charlie Baker. "Thank you to Mayor Walsh, the Boston Housing Authority and all the partners that worked together with our administration to make this project possible."

Originally built in 1951, the 331-unit Orient Heights state public housing community has become physically distressed over the years. For the past five years, BHA, DHCD, and the residents of Orient Heights have been working with the development team to transform the community. Phase One of the redeveloped Overlook Terrace at Orient Heights, which was completed in 2018, included the construction of 120 units of new replacement state public housing. The total development investment in Phase One was of approximately $51.2 million, including affordable housing resources from the City of Boston, and funds raised through an allocation of federal 4 percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credits; tax-exempt bonds for construction financing; state public housing capital funds from BHA and DHCD.

Phase Two, being celebrated today, was made possible with $10 million from the City of Boston, including the proceeds from the sale of the Winthrop Street Garage as well as Inclusionary Development Policy funds secured from Article 80 development projects in East Boston. Financing for Phase Two was also provided by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts's DHCD, the BHA, MassWorks, MassHousing, RBC Capital Markets, and Citizens Bank. 

As part of the upcoming FY22 Capital Plan, Mayor Walsh is committing another $19 million for Phase Three, which is anticipated to complete the replacement and modernization of the remaining 123 units in order to achieve a one-for-one replacement of the original 331-units, and is projected to commence in 2021. 

"Orient Heights has been a vital housing resource for low-income families in East Boston for almost 70 years. With these new units we are building a future for our residents," said BHA Administrator Kate Bennett. "The work we're doing today will secure a vibrant, stable home for hundreds of families at Orient Heights for decades to come."

The BHA, which has owned and managed the Orient Heights public housing development since its original construction in the 1950s, undertook a planning process in 2008 with the support of DHCD to consider redevelopment options for the community. In January 2015, with an award of funding from DHCD, the BHA selected the development team of Trinity Financial and East Boston CDC to work with both agencies and the residents of the Orient Heights community to finalize a redevelopment strategy. In partnership with the BHA and DHCD, the development team secured financing to implement the redevelopment, and will own and manage the buildings post-redevelopment. The BHA will continue to own the land and will lease the land to Trinity.  

"This property is a critical part of the BHA's portfolio in meeting the City of Boston's affordable housing needs. It has been a privilege to be part of such a collaborative public-private partnership with our colleagues at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the City of Boston, the Boston Housing Authority, East Boston CDC, the Orient Heights residents, and our colleagues in finance and development to see this second phase through to completion." said Eva Erlich, Vice President, Development with Trinity Financial. "We're thrilled to be marking this milestone for Phase Two, and look forward to completing the full transformation with the third and final phase.  "

Since January of 2015, BHA and the development team have held public meetings with residents and the neighborhood, regular meetings with the Local Tenant Organization and various meetings with City and State officials. The redevelopment effort has been supported by a local community that recognizes Orient Heights as an integral part of the neighborhood. BHA, Trinity, and the East Boston CDC will continue to meet with public housing residents and neighbors in the broader community on an on-going basis throughout the remaining stages of redevelopment.

Mayor Walsh and the City of Boston have dedicated substantial resources to redevelopment efforts at BHA Public Housing sites across the city. In addition to the city's $10 million investment for Orient Heights Phase Two, Mayor Walsh has invested $6.5 million to redevelop the Whittier Public Housing Development in Roxbury, $30 million for a future redevelopment of the Bunker Hill Public Housing Development in Charlestown, $25 million to Anne Lynch Homes at Old Colony in South Boston, and $5 million this year to kickstart renovation efforts for BHA Public Housing for seniors and residents with disabilities across the city.

Since the implementation of the Mayor Walsh's housing plan in 2014, 23,000 new units of housing have been completed. With an additional 9,700 units currently under construction, the City has secured housing for an estimated 45,600 residents, making significant progress in meeting Boston's rapid population growth.  

ABOUT THE BOSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY

The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) is a public agency that provides subsidized housing to low and moderate income individuals and families. In addition to conventional public housing communities throughout Boston, BHA offers rental assistance programs. BHA receives federal and state funding in order to provide housing programs to individuals and families. BHA's mission is to provide stable, quality affordable housing for low and moderate income persons; to deliver these services with integrity and mutual accountability; and to create living environments which serve as catalysts for the transformation from dependency to economic self-sufficiency.

ABOUT TRINITY FINANCIAL

Trinity Financial is a community-driven, diverse real estate development firm with a proven-track record of redeveloping complex urban sites from New York to Greater Boston. Our work spans half a dozen residential and commercial specialties, from multi-family housing to transit-oriented development. Over the past 30 years Trinity has completed more than $3 billion in innovative development, delivering high quality, sustainable, multi-family housing, ranging from affordable to luxury - all with a commitment to people and place. For more information about Trinity Financial, please visit www.trinityfinancial.com.

 

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Launch of First Tech Apprenticeship Program in Massachusetts

Innovative training program will help connect a diverse pool of applicants to high demand jobs in areas such as software development and cyber security

BOSTON, MA – Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced the launch of Apprenti Massachusetts, the first technology focused registered apprenticeship program in the Commonwealth. The program will work with the tech industry to identify high demand employment categories which can be filled by motivated job seekers regardless of their educational background. Applicants for the program will be recruited from a broad base of local community partners. Accepted applicants will receive up to five months of certified technical training and one year of paid on-the-job training  through one of the program’s employer partners.

“Massachusetts is home to world-class educational institutions and a dynamic workforce that serve as the foundation of the Commonwealth’s economic strength and resiliency,” said Governor Charlie Baker.  “The launch of industry-specific apprenticeships, beginning with our partnership with Apprenti, enhances the state’s position as a global leader in tech and education by providing a new pathway for people who are eager to enter the tech sector but who might not otherwise have had the training or connections to pursue it.”

“Our administration has taken important steps to ensure Massachusetts’ workforce is prepared to participate in and help shape the state’s incredible innovation economy,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito . “Apprenticeship programs and partnerships with  organizations like Apprenti are necessary to supercharge workforce development and drive even more economic growth in the Commonwealth by bringing more citizens into the tech workforce and we are grateful to the Workforce Skills Cabinet for their leadership on these efforts.”

In 2015, the Baker-Polito Administration established the Workforce Skills Cabinet to align the Executive Offices of Education, Housing and Economic Development, and Labor and Workforce Development toward a comprehensive economic growth agenda focused on closing skills gaps in areas such as technology, health care, and advanced manufacturing.

To date, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded more than $50 million in Workforce Skills Capital Grants to help educational institutions purchase job ready technologies that positively impact thousands of students in the Commonwealth every year. The Fiscal Year 2019 budget was the first to include a joint workforce funding request and included money for expanding the apprenticeship model into high demand fields. This year’s economic development bill also included new tax credits for companies starting up registered apprenticeships in Healthcare, Advanced Manufacturing, and Tech.

“The tech apprenticeship program will help further our efforts to align our education, economic, and workforce programs to address the potential of critical talent shortages in high demand occupations due to changing technical requirements in the coming years,” said Labor and Workforce Development  Secretary Rosalin Acosta. “This program is a great  example of the power of collaboration between private, public, philanthropic, and the nonprofit sector and I want to thank the One8 Foundation for identifying this opportunity and helping us turn it into a reality.”

“This new apprenticeship program not only strengthens our response to critical employer needs in information technology, it also aligns with our efforts to expand computer science education at all levels, while providing students with work-based learning experiences,” Education Secretary James Peyser said.

“Employers in Massachusetts have added over 60,000 jobs over the last year, with much of those gains concentrated in key knowledge based sectors of our economy like information technology,” said Housing and Economic Development  Secretary Jay Ash. “The launch of the first tech apprenticeship program will help Massachusetts leverage our existing talent pools and help them acquire the skills and experience to meet the needs of our  fastest growing employers.”

The announcement event was held at the global headquarters of Wayfair, a home goods e-commerce company founded in Massachusetts. Wayfair is one of Apprenti Massachusetts’ founding employer partners, and will be hiring apprentices from the first Apprenti tech apprentice cohort. Additional founding hiring partners include Cengage, CarbonBlack, Harvard University Information Technology, Partners Healthcare, and PTC.

“Wayfair is excited to partner with Governor Baker, Lt.  Governor Polito and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the launch of Apprenti Massachusetts,” said Niraj Shah, CEO, co-founder  and co-chairman of Wayfair. “Wayfair’s success is built on the strength of our workforce and our continued rapid growth as a global e-commerce leader depends on our ability to source and develop the very best tech talent. With our corporate headquarters firmly rooted in Massachusetts, we are committed  to working hand-in-hand with the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and the Commonwealth to ensure the local talent pool has greater access to the tech sector and the skills and training needed to help drive our innovation economy forward. We look forward  to welcoming members of the first Apprenti class to the Wayfair team.”

The application and training certification process will be handled through the Apprenti Massachusetts online platform. Apprenti is an industry recognized, state and federally accredited program, which was created by the Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA.) 

Apprenti Massachusetts will be funded by  the One8 Foundation and will reside at the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech,) the state’s lead quasi-public agency to support the technology sector in Massachusetts. The One8 Foundation, a Boston-based philanthropic organization focused on increasing access to applied learning opportunities for Massachusetts students and adults, will fund the initial operations of Apprenti in the state while the organization grows its set of employer partners and expands its work with apprentices.

“We’re honored that the Administration has chosen MassTech as the Massachusetts partner and host for this critical program,” stated Pat Larkin, Director of the Innovation Institute at MassTech. “The Innovation Institute has shepherded programs that have grown tech internships, added new mentoring opportunities for entrepreneurs, and increased cybersecurity training statewide. Hosting Apprenti makes perfect sense and complements our existing programs  extremely well.”

“More than 10 percent of the Massachusetts labor force  works in tech, and that’s a higher percentage than any other state,” said Apprenti Executive Director Jennifer Carlson. “In 2017, there were more than 100,000  tech job postings in Massachusett and Apprenti wants to help the state fill these roles by providing a clear path to employment through apprenticeship.”

Applications for tech apprenticeships in Massachusetts  through the Apprenti platform are available now. More information on how to become an apprentice or a hiring partner can be found at www.apprenti.org.

The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative is an innovative public agency working to enhance  economic growth, accelerate technology use and adoption, and harness the value of research by engaging in meaningful collaborations across academia, industry, and government.  From improving our health care systems and expanding high-speed internet across  the state to fostering emerging industry clusters, MassTech is driving innovation and supporting a vibrant economy across the Commonwealth. Visit masstech.org to learn more. 

The MassTech Intern Partnership connects talented college students and recent graduates to internships in the state's dynamic technology sector.

Source: Workskills Cabinet/EOWLD:  11/15/2018

More election results from EastBoston.com: How Eastie voted in last week's state election

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Ward 1 GOP Committee reports on the Worcester convention

Republicans from across Massachusetts gathered Saturday, April 28, as delegates to the 2018 Massachusetts Republican Convention at the DCU Center in downtown Worcester to nominate candidates for various state-wide offices.  Several members of the East Boston Republican Ward Committee attended.   

The delegates who arrived Friday mixed and mingled at the Friday night parties with various major office candidates or interest groups at hotels and clubs nearby.

The convention took place in the central arena of the DCU Center.  The convention itself started Saturday morning.  Every delegate was issued and required to use the electronic format credential document issued to him or her when they arrived in order to prevent fraudulent voting.  East Boston delegates sat with their fellow Republicans in the district from Revere, Winthrop and downtown Boston. 

East Boston is Boston’s Ward 1 and is in the 1st Suffolk and Middlesex Senatorial District.

The hallway surrounding the arena was filled by representatives and displays of many candidates’ campaigns and political organizations seeking a presence at the convention.  During “down times” between speeches and ballot votes, the candidates, guests and campaign assistants wandered through the aisles, meeting and shaking hands with as many delegates as they could.

After opening exercises, the speeches, including a memorial for former First Lady Barbara Bush, began.  The nomination for certain state-wide offices were not contested.  The convention endorsed Keiko Orrall for State Treasurer, Anthony Amore for Secretary of State and Helen Brady for State Auditor.  

The first contested race on the convention ballot was for Attorney General; Jay McMahon overcame Dan Shores to obtain the party’s endorsement.  The incumbent lieutenant governor Karyn Polito was approved by acclamation.

The next vote was for Governor.  Dr. Scott Lively challenged incumbent governor Charlie Baker and won about 27% of the vote.  

The last vote at the convention was to endorse one of the five candidates running for U. S. Senate:  State Representative Geoffrey Diehl, John Kingston, Mary Beth Lindstrom, Darius Mitchell and Heidi Wellman.  Geoff Diehl won the convention endorsement on this race’s second ballot by obtaining 56% of the vote.

With voting on a second ballot necessary for the U. S. Senate endorsement, the convention ran longer than expected.  The convention ended around 6:00 p.m.

Submitted by Christopher Morton