slarsson, Author at AHF Boston

2024 Year in Review

slarsson on December 13, 2024

2024 has been a year of partnerships and relationships. In this line of work, we never work alone – and this year, that was more apparent than ever. From working with municipalities to better understand their historic resources to guiding a Friends group to forge a future for a centuries-old meeting house, AHF is all about creating teams and sharing our expertise.

Here are a few highlights from our year of partnerships.

Worcester Memorial Auditorium, Worcester

Following a productive 2024, optimism is high for the Worcester Memorial Auditorium. In partnership with CSL International, we developed a comprehensive business plan that outlines a sustainable operating model for the building—no small feat. The City of Worcester has also committed to repairing the roof, safeguarding the building against further water damage. AHF is grateful for the $1 million grant from the MassWorks Infrastructure Program, which will help offset future electrical costs. Most importantly, the project is now closer to full revitalization than at any point in the past 25 years, with expectations that 2025 will mark a significant step forward.

Russell School, Hadley

AHF partnered with Berkshire-based design/build firm Allegrone Companies on a feasibility study for the reuse of the Town of Hadley’s historic Russell School. Built in 1894 and part of the town’s historic town center, Russell School has been empty and unused for over a decade. The Town has hired our firms to evaluate possible reuse options, allowing for a more effective decision-making framework about how to move forward with this town-owned property.

Wright and Jim’s House of Shoes buildings, Pittsfield

AHF has assisted Allegrone Companies with the redevelopment of the Wright Building in downtown Pittsfield over a number of years. The project, which consists of the rehabilitation and expansion of two vacant downtown buildings in walking distance to Pittsfield’s train station, reactivates this long-dormant block.

2024 marks a big step forward for the project: Allegrone Companies received another state HTC allocation, an Underutilized Properties Program (UPP) grant from MassDevelopment, and successfully unlocked HDIP funding for the project. Thanks to these sources and combined with the accrued HTCs, construction on 35 mixed-income housing units and 6 retail spaces has commenced.

Beyond the Wright Building, AHF has also been assisting Allegrone Companies in Pittsfield with various preservation consulting services, including Section 106 Review at a nonprofit healthcare facility as well as advancing a new state and federal tax credit project at an exciting and highly visible location.

Manor House at Elm Bank, Wellesley/Dover

In 2024, AHF worked with Massachusetts Horticultural Society (MHS) on a grant application to support the restoration of the historic Manor House that is located within the Gardens at Elm Bank. Though this year’s application was unsuccessful, both organizations have a more concrete understanding of how to create a pathway forward for Manor House – and how AHF might serve MHS as a trusted historic preservation advisor in the future.

Rodman House, New Bedford

This year, AHF has taken on a significant restoration project at the Rodman House, one of New Bedford’s most significant historic resources. Built in 1833, the Greek Revival mansion’s monumental, highly intricate carved columns are distinctive – and in rough shape. AHF is working with Forma Inc. and AP Whitaker and Sons to fabricate a historically accurate replica of one the columns, using cutting edge CNC machining techniques. The goal is to reproduce existing conditions in a high-density urethane material that will be indistinguishable from the original mahogany.

The original columns, which lasted for over 150 years, are remarkable examples of skilled carving/artisanship and old growth wood, and this next round of restoration work will likewise seek to ensure a very long second life. This work is being partially funded by a grant from the City of New Bedford Facade Program.

Church on the Hill, Lenox

The Lenox Meeting House has been a prominent part of the landscape of Lenox since 1806. Today, the Friends of the Lenox Meeting House are looking to make the building more accessible to all. This fall, AHF completed a Strategic Directives Report that will help guide the group as they make changes to allow for more flexible and diverse uses of the sanctuary and narthex, in addition to improving accessibility and adding a communal kitchen area. You can find out about the Friends’ efforts here.

Historic Boston’s Kathy Kottaridis Takes on New Role with the City of Boston

slarsson on November 6, 2024

Boston is fortunate to have several non-profit organizations dedicated to historic preservation advocacy, education, and real estate development/investment. The historic preservation community has benefited from strong and long-standing leadership within these organizations. This month, we honor Historic Boston, Inc.’s longtime Executive Director, Kathy Kottaridis.

At the helm since 2007, Kathy has shown incredible leadership for HBI and for the city as a whole. We have enjoyed working alongside Kathy and HBI over the years, including a recent loan partnership that helped fund the Comfort Station project in Dorchester.

“Kathy has always recognized that Boston is a city of neighborhoods,” said Sean McDonnell, president of AHF. “Under her leadership, HBI’s focus on Boston’s commercial districts and economic development projects has been truly transformative.”

Kathy has been tapped to be the City of Boston’s Director of the Office of Historic Preservation, where she will oversee the Boston Landmarks Commission, the City’s Historic District Commissions, the Archaeology Program, and the Commemoration Commission. Through the Commemoration Commission, she will spearhead the City’s commemorative efforts, including the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026 and the 400th anniversary of Boston in 2030.

We wish Kathy the very best of luck, and look forward to working with her in her new role.

AHF-Supported Projects Receive Funding from Commonwealth’s Community One Stop for Growth Program

slarsson on October 30, 2024

Last week, Governor Maura Healey, Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, Economic Development Secretary Yvonne Hao and Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus gathering in Worcester to announce more than $161 million for 313 grant awards to support local economic development projects in 171 communities across the Commonwealth.

The grant awards were made through the Community One Stop for Growth, a single application portal that provides a streamlined, collaborative review process for 12 state grant programs that fund economic development projects related to community capacity building, planning and zoning, site preparation, building construction and infrastructure.

Since the program’s inception, AHF has worked with project partners to apply for Community One Stop grant funding to support a range of development activity at their respective sites. AHF is pleased to announce that two AHF supported projects have received grant funding during this round.

Worcester Memorial Auditorium, Worcester

MassWorks Infrastructure program will provide $1,000,000 to the City of Worcester for the continued revitalization of the Worcester Auditorium.

Overview: The Worcester Memorial Auditorium is a magnificent performance venue that towers above Worcester’s Lincoln Square.Throughout the twentieth century, the Aud was the center of Worcester’s civic and cultural life, but it has been empty and underutilized for years. AHF has a contract with the City of Worcester to spearhead the redevelopment of the Aud.

Funding will help create a multipurpose, technology-forward, entertainment facility and AI Innovation Center.

AHF involvement: AHF has partnered with the City of Worcester to revitalize the Worcester Memorial Auditorium.

Wright Building, Pittsfield

The Underutilized Properties Program is providing $626,732 to the Allegrone Companies.

Overview: Allegrone Companies are renovating the National Register listed Wright Building, preserving and restoring its historic facade while updating its infrastructure, systems, and finishes to support new residential and retail uses. The redevelopment additionally will address a blighted adjacent property and will create a pedestrian corridor behind both buildings. The full project will transform almost an entire city block in downtown Pittsfield.

Funding will be used for Wright Building Block Phase II, converting the building into 14 more mixed-income housing units and two storefronts.

AHF involvement: facilitated sessions to determine the most competitive approach, compiling developer’s data and budgets into a compelling story and timely grant application.

A big congratulations to all the awardees! See the full list here.

The Stone Carver of the Worcester Memorial Auditorium

slarsson on September 23, 2024

Constructed of Deer Island granite, Indiana limestone, and marble, we know about the architects of the Worcester Memorial Auditorium, but we don’t often have the chance to learn more about the skilled artisans who helped build it.

Well, luckily for us, history lovers have a way of finding each other. Over the summer, we received an email from Justin van Deursen, who told us that his great grand uncle, Enrico Liva, an Italian stone carver, had carved several of the decorative panels that grace the exterior of the Worcester Memorial Auditorium. Van Deursen has been researching and writing a biography about his stone carving ancestors, when he came across a reference to the Auditorium. After examining the building on Google Street View, he realized he had at least 6 photos of the carvings that his great grand uncle made for the building in his studio in Bedford, Indiana. Justin generously shared these images, as well as more information about Enrico Liva, which we have shared below with permission.

With a building as large and impressive as the Auditorium, the exterior details add to the overall impression, but don’t always get their due. Taking in the giant Classical Revival structure, we see the massive Doric columns and a decorated frieze, but how often do we really stop and pay attention to the details?

Seeing these images from Liva’s stone carving studio brings these figures into focus and shows us how incredibly intricate they are, and how skillfully they were made. Can you spot where the carvings show up on the building’s front facade?

We are so thankful to Justin for taking the time to share these images and this fascinating family history with us. We look forward to learning more about Enrico Liva and his family in the future!

ENRICO G. LIVA was the tenth of eleven children of Giusto Liva and Margherita Visentin Liva, born in Savona, on the coast of Italy, on August 24, 1889. His father and five brothers were sculptors, painters and ornamental plaster artists whose work brought them to various places in Europe including Norway, Russia and Sweden, as well as a variety of cities in Italy. “Harry” received his grammar and fine art education in Palermo, Sicily, under Professor Francesco Crocivera, while his family was producing architectural embellishments for the Teatro Massimo opera house. He moved to New York in 1904 and obtained a card in the Journeymen Stone Cutters’ Association the following year. Per the Encyclopedia of American Biography, 1934, his career involved working for Williams Stone Company in the Bronx, NY and Gilbertson Stone Company on Long Island. He married Maria Assunta Zito (1890-1977) in Hoboken, NJ in 1910.

Harry’s family remained on the East Coast, but on July 1, 1911 he began working for the Charles C. Ingalls Stone Company of Bedford, IN. His first project was to carve stone on-site at the newly constructed Rice Hotel in Houston. He stayed with Ingalls Stone Company for the rest of his career and worked as a designer, architect and head of the stone carving department. He was one of the first two Italians in the stone belt, which supplied limestone to major construction projects through the building boom of the 1920s and onward. He retired after 33 years as chief carver, with 22 men working for him. He had the longest tenure in the company’s history, only surpassed by his son, Luigi Liva (1910-1989), (also known as Louis or Gigi) who worked for Ingalls for 34 years, mostly under his father’s leadership. Their work can be found throughout the country.

Harry worked tirelessly and continued with projects in his home studio in Bedford after work each day and volunteered his skills for organizations he cared about. He was considered one of the foremost carvers in the stone belt and was able to turn down commissions such as carved panels for the U.S. Senate chamber in Washington, D.C., because he would have been away from his family for too long. Highlights of his career include the Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak, MI, Kirk in the Hills in Bloomfield Hills, MI, the Chrysler Building in New York, the Gettysburg Address text panels at the Lincoln Memorial, Archives Building in Washington, DC, Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Duke University Chapel, Masonic Temple in Waco, TX and the Stephen Foster Memorial in Pittsburgh, among many others.

Harry and Maria had six children; Luigi “Louis”, Emil, Gilda, Aurelio, Adele and Margherita.

Harry died April 30, 1963 and is buried with his beloved wife in Cresthaven Memory Gardens in Bedford, IN.

The Speedway’s Shared Liquor License Solution

slarsson on July 2, 2024

There’s no question that the city of Boston has a liquor license problem. The strict cap on licenses available means that they have become extremely expensive and increasingly difficult to procure, making it really hard for small businesses to get one. With just about 1200 licenses, each one has a value of about $600,000 – a price tag that makes it nearly impossible for a creative young business owner looking to open their first location.

Shirley Leung writes about this very issue in High & Dry, a Boston Globe series of articles about Boston’s complicated liquor license system. The article puts the spotlight on the developers, landlords, and restaurateurs who are looking for creative solutions within the system to make space for small businesses to succeed.

She writes:

At the Speedway in Brighton — an old horse stable turned nightlife hot spot — there’s something for everyone.

Like Koji Club, a 16-seat sake bar that Esquire has called one of the best places in America to grab a drink, or Super Bien, a grocery bar — imagine a hip bodega that serves empanadas and South American wines. There’s also Birds of Paradise from James Beard-nominated bar owner Ran Duan. Speedway comes to life in the evenings and the weekends, especially when the weather is warm and its outdoor courtyard swells with young people.

And for that, you can thank the Massachusetts Legislature.

Four years ago, when the Speedway was under construction, lawmakers created a special liquor license just for this project. It enabled the developer to get around the strict cap on how many establishments can serve booze in Boston by allowing the Speedway to share one license across its various tenants. That meant innovative entrepreneurs could open there without shelling out the six-figure price tag to buy a license of their own — a dream made real.

“Oh, I actually cried,” recalled Koji owner Alyssa DiPasquale. “What a relief.”

Anyone who has ever been to the Charles River Speedway knows that it is a special place. The historic buildings, which have been beautifully preserved, are now filled with restaurants, shops, a brewery, offices, event spaces and a one-chair hair salon. For those who saw the Speedway buildings before the work began, it is nothing short of a miracle. A project like this needed a ton of support – from the community, elected officials, DCR and more. AHF was very lucky to have the support and enthusiasm of Rep. Michael Moran, who fought for this project for decades.

AHF is so proud of what we have accomplished here at the Charles River Speedway. With the state provided liquor license, the Speedway has become home to several small businesses and first-time operators. The Koji Club, Super Bien, Pizza Project, Rite Tea & Espresso, Notch Brewing, Birds of Paradise, and Bellwether Salon are all in Allston-Brighton because of the creative solutions and advocacy of so many.

As Leung writes in her article:

For Speedway tenants, having a special license has been life changing. Without it, for example, Ren Wheeler, who owns Rite Tea & Espresso Bar, would have looked to open on the North Shore. She now operates a cafe that turns into a Scottish whisky bar on Friday nights.

“It’s really exciting,” she said. “It is really like a dream come true.”

Spotlight on DCR’s Historic Curatorship Program for Preservation Month

slarsson on May 3, 2024

May is Preservation Month! The National Trust for Historic Preservation has set this year’s theme as “People Saving Places” and for us, there is no better way to do that than to put the spotlight on DCR’s Historic Curatorship Program, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

Within the Commonwealth’s 450,000 acres of state parks and forests are a number of unused, historically significant buildings. Established in 1994, the Historic Curatorship Program partners DCR with Curators who rehabilitate, manage and maintain unused, historic properties in return for a long-term lease. In doing so, DCR secures the long-term preservation of threatened historic sites for the public’s benefit, and Curators exchange an investment and their hard work and unique skills for the opportunity to live or work in a one-of-a-kind location.

Curatorship properties are preserved through a wide range of reuses – residential, non-profit, for profit, hospitality and museums, and must be compatible with the historic and natural character of the setting. You can learn more by watching this engaging video about the program.

Here at AHF, we salute all the Curators and we thank DCR for spearheading such an effective and ground-breaking program. As the National Trust says: “historic place-savers pour their time, energy, resources (and sometimes a great deal of sweat and tears) into protecting places they care about.” And for the Curators that have invested and preserved these unique and historic properties across the Commonwealth, that definitely describes you! Throughout the month, we will highlight a few of our favorite properties to shed a bit of light on this ground-breaking historic preservation program.

We’d love to see the Historic Curatorship Program continue to expand and for more properties to benefit from the attention and dedication provided by this public-private partnership. Interested? There are properties open for proposals in Monterey, Shutesbury, and Milton right now! Learn more here.

Want to learn more about becoming a resident curator? The curators of the Dodge House in the Bradley Palmer State Park in Hamilton have recorded their fascinating journey on their blog. Read more here.

Speedway Administration Building, Charles River Reservation, Brighton

Yes, we had to start with this one. The Charles River Speedway is near and dear to our hearts, as AHF is the Curator of this property!

One of the first structures built by the fledgling Metropolitan Parks Commission in 1899, the Speedway represents the earliest history of the nation’s first metropolitan park system. Architect William D. Austin’s dramatic shingle style masterpiece served as the headquarters for the Speedway – a horse racing track hugging the Charles River.

In 2019, Architectural Heritage Foundation (AHF) began a 40-year lease to rehabilitate the property as a mixed-use community space. After years of vacancy, this landmark started its new life and opened to the public in 2021. Today, the Charles River Speedway is home to Notch Brewery and several small businesses, including The Koji Club, Super Bien, Pizza Project, Birds of Paradise, Bellwether Salon, and flexible event spaces at Garage B and The Annex.

Learn more about the history of The Speedway and its current role as a vibrant community hub here.

Walter Baker Chocolate Factory, Dorchester

Built in 1919 as the Administration Building for the sprawling Baker Chocolate Factory, this Classic Revival style office building serves as the centerpiece of one of Greater Boston’s most successful historic preservation projects.

In November, 2000, Keen Development Corporation, in conjunction with Preservation Mass, became the Curator of the Walter Baker Chocolate Factory Administration Building, signing a 50-year lease. Keen Development finished the restoration of the building in 2002, which includes 13 artist live/work lofts, gallery space, and meeting rooms arranged around a three-story central atrium. Today, the historic building also hosts Dot Art, a non-profit offering art education for neighborhood youth.

Bascom Lodge, Mt. Greylock State Reservation, Adams

Opened in 1937, the Civilian Conservation Corps built Bascom Lodge during the depths of the Great Depression. Perched on top of Mt. Greylock, the state’s highest mountain, the iconic property was designed in an architectural style that would later influence a generation of America’s National Park buildings. Constructed of local stone quarried from the mountain, and old growth red spruce timbers, the mountaintop lodge is the centerpiece of a 12,500 acre wilderness park.

In May 2009, DCR selected a Curator to operate, rehabilitate and maintain Bascom Lodge. The Curators continue the decades-long tradition of providing quality food, lodging and programs for visitors to Mt. Greylock State Reservation.

Learn more about Bascom Lodge here.

Wachusett Superintendent’s House, Wachusett Mountain State Reservation, Princeton

Built as an office and residence for Wachusett Mountain State Reservation’s first Superintendent, Guy Chase, this is one of the first buildings built by the fledgling state park agency in 1903. Without a core use, the building sat vacant for 30+ years. DCR continued to invest in the stabilization of the house, but an active reuse was needed to reconnect the property with the public.

In 2018, the Curators signed a 40-year lease to fully rehabilitate, maintain, and manage the house and garage as a bakery, cafe, and community gathering place. Today, Mountainside Bakery and Cafe serves as a destination for hikers and day trippers looking for a good meal and a place to rest.

Visit mountainsidebakerycafe.com to learn more about the project.

The Dodge House, Bradley Palmer State Park, Hamilton

So far, we have highlighted properties that are being used for mostly commercial purposes. But what about the resident curators out there, putting their time, energy and money into historic state properties that will become their homes? For an insider’s look at the challenges, obstacles, and ultimate huge reward, take a look at the fascinating journey of the curators of the Dodge House in the Bradley Palmer State Park. Read more here.

AHF Announces Underutilized Property Program Consulting Services

slarsson on February 7, 2024

Do you have a stuck project? The Massachusetts Underutilized Properties Program could be a great opportunity to move planning, feasibility studies, or construction projects forward.

AHF has extensive experience with this state program, and has successfully supported several projects to gain funding. Wondering if your project might be a good fit, and looking for grant writing support or project consulting? Reach out to AHF today – email info@ahfboston.com.

Learn more about AHF’s past UPP consulting projects here.

The Massachusetts Underutilized Properties Program (via Community One Stop for Growth) is now accepting letters of interest for FY2025. In the last round of funding, the program generated $16.5 million for 39 projects across the state.

For FY2025, Expressions of Interest are being accepted now through April 30, 2024, and full project submissions are due on June 5, 2024.

Community One Stop for Growth is the Executive Office of Economic Development’s application portal that provides a streamlined process for municipalities and organizations to apply for 13 state grant programs that fund economic development projects related to planning and zoning, site preparation, building construction, infrastructure, and housing development.

Underutilized Properties Program, administered by MassDevelopment, for the purpose of funding “projects that will improve, rehabilitate or redevelop blighted, abandoned, vacant or underutilized properties to achieve the public purposes of eliminating blight, increasing housing production, supporting economic development projects, increasing the number of commercial buildings accessible to persons with disabilities.”

2023 Year in Review

slarsson on December 20, 2023

It’s been another productive and exciting year at AHF. As we look out of our office windows at the Charles River Speedway, we can see the historic marketplace’s central courtyard trimmed with festive trees and lights. The small business community here is making merry with holiday events and special gifts. Our newest tenants, Rite Tea & Espresso and Pizza Project, have quickly become an integral part of this community, and have made our days even more delicious. The event space at Garage B has been bustling with weddings, end-of-year parties and holiday markets, and the new flexible event space in the upper courtyard, The Annex, has become a great addition to the Speedway’s offerings. The Speedway is definitely worth a visit this holiday season and beyond!

Beyond Brighton, AHF is involved with projects and preservation efforts across the Commonwealth. As 2023 draws to a close, we are happy to share a few highlights.

20 Years of Massachusetts State Tax Credit

2023 brought us the 20th anniversary of the Massachusetts Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit (MHRTC), a powerful preservation incentive program that has unlocked over 700 projects across the Commonwealth since its inception. Without this program, AHF projects at Washington Mills and Charles River Speedway would never have been possible, and we are grateful to all of those who helped craft and implement what has become a model program for states all over the country. Continued advocacy for the MHRTC has been ongoing through the years, including increasing the cap to meet demand and extending the program’s sunset date, with partners at Massachusetts Historical Commission and Preservation Massachusetts leading the way. We look forward to continuing to access the tax credit for projects of our own and for others that we are helping in our consulting work.

Underutilized Properties Program

Since the program’s inception three years ago, we have worked with various project partners to apply for UPP grant funding to support a range of development activity at their respective sites. This year, we were pleased to support Alander Group’s successful submission for the next phase of their project located at 343 Main Street in Great Barrington. This grant will be used to renovate and convert a historic 22,504-square-foot building in Great Barrington into two retail spaces and 13 units of mixed-income housing. A big congratulations to all the awardees!

Wright Building, Pittsfield

Another project that has benefited from UPP funding is the Wright Building, a long vacant three story former commercial building on North Street in Pittsfield. Following their successful neighboring downtown market rate housing projects at the Onota and Howard Buildings, Allegrone Companies is planning the residential conversion of this long vacant building. Allegrone and AHF are now going through the historic approvals process for the addition of a new construction infill building next to and eventually connecting to the Wright Building which will add 14 more much needed units to the overall project. Awarded $525,000 in UPP funding from FY2023 for life safety improvements, there is great momentum going into the new year. AHF looks forward to continuing to support the project, including helping the Allegrone’s apply for and secure Housing Development Initiative Program Tax Credits, in addition to continuing to shepherd the project through MHC and NPS historic tax credit programs.

Worcester Memorial Auditorium

The Auditorium project reached new levels of credibility in 2023, turning AHF’s vision into a concrete set of goals and objectives. The Auditorium is closer to redevelopment than it has been at any point in the past 25 years. With the support of CSL International, the project has a realistic operating pro forma and a market analysis for multiple types of entertainment offerings. With the support of DBVW Architects, the design of a modern, tech-forward, entertainment and economic development facility is underway.

In 2024, AHF will unveil new project partners for the Auditorium redevelopment with hopes to begin construction on infrastructure upgrades this year.

Paul Bruhn Grant comes to Massachusetts

We were happy to support the Pioneer Valley Regional Ventures Center’s (PVRVC) application for Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant funds and were thrilled when they were awarded funding this year. AHF has worked behind the scenes for several years to galvanize engagement statewide to bring this resource to Massachusetts’ rural communities. The grant will support the creation of the Preservation Works in Western Mass subgrant program under the direction of PVRVC.

PVRVC’s new program will begin to close the funding gap for historic properties in rural communities and produce examples of the opportunity that exists to galvanize economic development by restoring and re-using National Register-listed community anchor buildings. The idea is to support economic development through the preservation of historic buildings in towns with fewer than 12,500 residents in Hampshire County, as well as small communities in Hampden and west central and southwest central Worcester counties. We look forward to supporting this endeavor across the western part of our state!

Comfort Kitchen, Boston

This year, we saw the completion and the launch of the award-winning preservation project and new restaurant, Comfort Kitchen, in the Upham’s Corner neighborhood of Dorchester. AHF played a role in this project by providing a loan to Historic Boston, Inc., secured at a below-market fixed rate, to refinance a construction loan following the successful completion of work.

The former trolley system comfort station, a stucco 940-square-foot facility with full basement, underwent a $1.9 million historic rehabilitation with improvements that created Comfort Kitchen, a full-service café with dinner operations. AHF was proud to support community-based development and fund historic preservation projects in Boston’s neighborhoods.

North Schoolhouse, Mount Washington

The Mount Washington Historical Society (MWHS) and the Town of Mount Washington have begun to advance construction plans amidst on-going fundraising efforts. Their goal is to move the historic single room North Schoolhouse to a new and safer location and to restore it for community use as soon as it is financially feasible to do so.

In 2023, AHF supported the town’s applications to two state grant programs. AHF also helped to connect proponents to Mount Washington’s State Representative Smitty Pignatelli, to expand awareness of the project and help identify additional funding sources. Increased awareness of the project has put it on the radar of two private foundations devoted to Berkshire County projects. MWHS applied to both funders in 2023 and have already received promising news. AHF will continue to work alongside the MWHS and the town of Mount Washington in 2024 to advocate for the project and to help close the gap in the construction budget to get this shovel-ready project underway.

Marriner Mill, Lawrence

Lastly, we were thrilled to see our friends at Trinity Financial officially launch 87 beautiful new units of mixed income housing the Fabrica Lofts in Lawrence. Historically known as Marriner Mill, AHF began working with Trinity on this mill conversion shortly after wrapping up work at Arlington Point, Trinity’s adjacent 100 unit project that anchors the eastern portion of the Arlington Mills Historic District. Helping to meet severe housing needs in the Merrimack Valley, Fabrica Lofts is already 100% leased up, and AHF was pleased to provide tax credit consulting to the project team to help bring this important resource back to active use.

2024 Year in Review

Historic Boston’s Kathy Kottaridis Takes on New Role with the City of Boston

AHF-Supported Projects Receive Funding from Commonwealth’s Community One Stop for Growth Program

The Stone Carver of the Worcester Memorial Auditorium

The Speedway’s Shared Liquor License Solution

Spotlight on DCR’s Historic Curatorship Program for Preservation Month

AHF Announces Underutilized Property Program Consulting Services

2023 Year in Review

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