The March 9th CPC Meeting Agenda – including a New Proposal for West Newton Armory Affordable Housing Development and a Pre-Proposal for Gath Memorial Pool Renovation Feasibility Study – is now available online for review.

This will be a virtual meeting. To view and participate on your phone, download the “Zoom Cloud Meetings” app in any app store or at www.zoom.us. Click on “Join a Meeting” and enter  Meeting ID: 88010126719. To view and participate on your computer, go to www.zoom.us, click “Join a Meeting” and enter Meeting ID: 88010126719

You can also access the meeting online at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88010126719

West Newton Armory Affordable Housing Development Project – The City is requesting $21,270 in CPA community housing funds to assist with the completion of the Phase II Environmental Assessment which is required for the future purchase of the property. The State has offered the former Armory site to the City for $1 for use as a 100% Affordable Housing Development. The CPC agreed at their February 9th meeting to allow the project to skip the pre-proposal submittal as this assessment needs to be completed in a short timeframe for the sale.

Gath Memorial Pool Renovation Project – Newton’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Department (PRC), working with the Public Buildings Department and the Friends of Albemarle, is requesting $60,000 in CPA Recreation funding to complete an existing conditions study of the Gath Pool facility that will include a robust examination of existing conditions and develop annotated improvements along with costs for a phased renovation of both the main and wading pools. At the same time, the PRC will also work with other City departments and stakeholders to identify any other needs and alternative options for the facility. Pre-Proposal to be reviewed at the CPC’s March 9th Meeting.

Covid-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program Additional Funding – On February 16th, City Council approved the CPC’s funding recommendation to allocate an additional $1.2 million to extend the existing short-term housing assistance program through June 2021. Established in July 2020, the program was designed to provide housing payment assistance to households below 80% AMI who have been negatively impacted by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

For help or with questions, contact Lara Kritzer at lkritzer@newtonma.gov or 617-796-1144. The Massachusetts Community Preservation Act (CPA) provides local and state funds for affordable housing, historic resources, open space and recreation.