l-r: Allen Chin, Christopher Scarvalas, Matthew Consigli, Dr. Edward T.T. Chaing, Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Bill Linehan, Aaron Michlewitz, and Chiaming Sze.
Boston – Mayor Martin J. Walsh joined the Chinese Economic Development Council, Inc. (CEDC), Chia-Ming Sze Architect Inc., Consigli Construction Co., Inc., lenders, investors, local and state officials, and Chinatown residents in celebrating the groundbreaking for a new 60,000sf, $26.6 million, affordable housing project on Oxford Street in Chinatown recently.
Developed by the CEDC, the 11-story structural steel building will provide 67 rental apartments for Chinatown’s low-income population. Primary lender for the project is Boston-based Eastern Bank, along with syndicator Royal Bank of Canada.
Participating in the event were Allen Chin, president of the Chinese Economic Development Council; Christopher Scarvalas, project executive for Consigli Construction Co.; Matthew Consigli, VP; Dr. Edward T.T. Chaing, chairman of the board, Chinese Economic Development Council; Bill Linehan, president of the Boston City Council; Mass. State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, and Chiaming Sze, principal of Chia-Ming Sze Architect, Inc.
“Today’s groundbreaking ceremony is a momentous occasion for Chinatown,” said Dr. Edward T. T. Chiang, chairman of the board for the CEDC.
Located in the Boston Empowerment Zone, adjacent to the Midtown Cultural District, the new construction will infill the site which has been used solely for surface parking since 1951. Oxford Ping On Affordable Housing will not only maximize the use and economic vitality of the Chinatown Main Streets area, but also address the critical affordable housing need of the low-income households in the surrounding neighborhood.
The development will include 48 studio apartments, 16 one-bedroom and three two-bedroom apartments, as well as handicap accessible units. Surface parking is located directly across Ping On Street and numerous public transit options – bus, subway and train – are within a few blocks of the site.
Rendering of Oxford Ping On Affordable Housing, courtesy Chia-Ming Sze Architect Inc.
.
“I’m proud that the City of Boston’s commitment to this project will create 67 units of affordable rental housing for working people in Chinatown,” Mayor Walsh said. “The construction of Oxford Ping On will rebuild and preserve an important portion of Boston’s Chinatown community. We are proud to partner with an exemplary team of builders and designers.”
The project is slated for completion in late summer 2015.
