Date Set To Fill 'Crater' In Stoughton Center

STOUGHTON, MA — The developer planning to build 14 apartment units with retail stores in Stoughton Center is expected to start construction this month, according to Town Manager Robin Muksian-Grimm. The building will fill what Selectman Robert O'Regan described as the "crater" created when Chinese restaurant Cheng-DU was destroyed in a 2009 fire. It also would replace the former storefront of Malcolm and Parson's Insurance.

Muskisian-Grimm told the selectmen at Tuesday's meeting that she met with the developer. After meeting with the Connelly Construction Company, Muksian-Grimm said the plan is for demolition of the old building at the corner of Washington and Fremont streets to start this month and for construction to begin in September. The developer said there will be a foundation constructed for the new complex during the fall.

Muksian Grimm said the meetings was productive and she hopes to see the eye-sore in the center filled soon. She said she's hoping to walk across the street to "the Stoughton Diner for lunch and see stuff happening."

The plan for the apartments includes six one-bedroom apartments, eight two-bedrooms, and sixteen parking spaces. Since the space is considered mixed development, the apartments would be above two ground-level storefronts. The building would have three stories. Ten percent of the apartment buildings would be classified as affordable housing, per town bylaw.