Developer Sought To Rebuild Lakeside Apartments Project In Worcester

WORCESTER, MA — The Worcester Housing Authority is outlining a vision for the future of the Lakeside Apartments housing project that includes more apartments and the addition of mixed-income units.

The WHA on Wednesday published a request-for-proposals (RFP) seeking developers to rebuild the 1950s housing project, which is situated between Park Avenue and Coes Reservoir.

The RFP seeks bids to replace the 202-unit complex with a new one with close to 250 WHA units, plus non-WHA units that are affordable for people earning between 60 and 80 percent of the area median income. The new complex might also include market-rate units, the RFP says.

"The project will involve the demolition and redevelopment of Lakeside Apartments. The successful respondent will join the WHA in creating a comprehensive redevelopment plan that will increase the current number of rental units, including rental or homeownership options, to benefit extremely low households up to workforce households as well as a limited number of market rate units. (Not to exceed 5% of the total units developed.)" the bidding document says.

The RFP only means WHA is looking for proposals for the rebuild — it does not mean there are any firm plans or funding to do so.

The Lakeside Apartments complex is now about 70 years old, and the WHA is spending lots of resources maintaining parts of the project like windowsills and stairways. Tenants have also previously sounded the alarm about issues like mold and infestations.

But the need for a redevelopment goes beyond maintenance issues, according to the RFP.

"[T]he biggest issue facing the Lakeside Apartments is the 'industrial feel' of the development itself: comprised of large housing blocks with flat roofs, the mid-century design of the site does not offer a welcoming feel for residents and visitors alike," the RFP says of the post World War II buildings.

Lakeside tenants have also been involved in two major quality-of-life battles recently. A fence separating the development from the Coes Reservoir was locked for years, but has been open since the spring. The tenants also fought unsuccessfully to keep the Hillside beach along the reservoir intact. The city recently completed a new boardwalk over that former swimming area.

Nelly Medina, a Lakeside resident and local activist, said some residents were surprised to hear about the RFP after it was reported by the Worcester Business Journal on Thursday.

"I recommend that Worcester Housing Authority meets with residents about what they read in the paper," she said.

The RFP follows a similar effort at the Great Brook Valley housing project. In February, WHA announced a $178 million redevelopment of a portion of that project to be overseen by developer Trinity Financial.

Proposals for the Lakeside Apartments rebuild are due to the WHA by Dec. 14.