Within the past two years, Guntlow & Associates has had the opportunity to work on two residential development projects where all or most of the units were to be considered affordable housing. One included twenty condominium units in duplex buildings at Wisdom Way Solar Village in Greenfield. Working with Rural Development Inc. out of Turners Falls, MA, we were able to fit ten building lots for the twenty units on this infill site. Considered a mixed development, there are two open market units, five for moderate income, and eleven low-income in addition to two considered accessible rental. One of the critical project goals was to provide housing with near zero net energy requirement, therefore requiring very specific solar orientation.
Shown on the right is the Bradford Street Development project in Pittsfield, MA. Consisting of sixty seven rental units, the project is located in just off of North Street where the majority of the population is at or below the poverty level. Again practicing Smart Growth principals, this infill project required the demolition of several buildings in disrepair. The units are contained within seven buildings; two of which were rehabilitation projects, while the other five were new, modular construction. While this project is currently under construction, many of the units are already occupied. (Photo above shows the ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony.)
