Salem Heights Apartment Complex Set For Major Facelift

SALEM, MA — Salem Heights will soon undergo an extensive renovation and modernization through a $55 million MassDevelopment tax-exempt bond.

The Preservation Associates Limited Partnership, which will own the 281-unit, lower-incoming complex, intends to use the bond proceeds to renovate the Pope Street rental housing that is home to about 500 residents.

The renovations include updating the building's exterior, installing new windows and new roofs with six more inches of insulation, making 15 more units accessible, extensive ductwork and repair, improved ventilation and cooling systems, plumbing upgrades and common area improvements.

A new playground will also be built for the approximately 100 children who live there.

"Not only is it important to expand affordable housing opportunities throughout the Commonwealth, we must also ensure existing facilities receive the upgrades they need to remain vibrant living communities for the long term," said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Mike Kennealy, who serves as chair of MassDevelopment's Board of Directors.

Salem Heights consists of two connected nine- and 10-story highrise buildings with 95 one-bedroom and 186 two-bedroom apartments. The complex was purchased in 2003 to maintain below-market-rate apartments, with a modest rehabilitation done in 2003.

POAH Communities has managed the property since 2005.

"MassDevelopment is proud to partner with Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc. as it moves forward with major renovations at Salem Heights to preserve affordable rental housing for about 500 people in the Gateway City of Salem," MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera said. "Across Massachusetts, our bond financing is helping address the state’s housing crisis by offering developers, CDCs, and nonprofits the resources they need to build or upgrade affordable units."

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(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)