Housing Developments - Moltenbrey Renovation Project

The substantial rehabilitation of the Moltenbrey preserves much needed quality affordable housing for single individuals and will complement the ongoing revitalization efforts in the Village of Turners Falls. The units are being leased to individuals with incomes of 60% or less of the area median income with three of the units leased to individuals whose incomes are 30% or less of median income. RDI values the continued support of the Town of Montague to provide affordable housing to their residents.

RDI purchased the Moltenbrey to preserve the single-room occupancy (SRO) units on the second and third floors and to substantially upgrade this Village-center three-story mixed-use historic brick building that had fallen into serious disrepair. Both the Montague Board of Health and the Fire Department determined that the building was a hazard to the safety of the tenants. RDI is also interested in preserving and upgrading the two first-floor commercial spaces and retaining the tenancy of the Montague Catholic Social Ministries, an organization that does outstanding work with low-income children and families in Turners Falls.

Substantial renovations were completed in July 2005. The work included a new roof, new mechanical systems, an elevator, and the elimination of the common bathrooms. Each ‘enhanced SRO’ unit has its own modest bathroom and small kitchenette. A community room is shared by residents for meals and activities, as well as a meeting room for Beacon Programs to deliver programming in this substance-free facility. Beacon Programs of the Franklin Medical Center and Baystate Heath Systems provides a resident staff person and delivers programs on-site in this substance-free facility.

RDI developed the project for the owner, Moltenbrey Apartment Limited Partnership. The Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC) provided pre-development financing. Blackstone Block Architects is the project architect. BW Construction Co., Inc. was the general contractor. Long-term management and maintenance of the facility is provided by the Franklin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) under contract to the owner. HAP, Inc. will administer the project-based MA Rental Vouchers.

The total development budget was $3,235,343. Funding for the Moltenbrey included an award of $245,621 in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and $715,000 of HOME funds from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). These tax credits generated approximately $2,351,678 in private investment. The Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation (MHIC) brokered the tax credits in support of this development. Historic tax credits were also be utilized in this project.