WILLIAMSTOWN, Massachusetts – More than 15 years after Berkshire Housing Development Corporation proposed the project, the site of the old Williamstown Manufacturing Company is now an affordable residential complex.
“It’s just a reward,” said President and CEO Elton Ogden, who will be retiring after the project is complete. “You know, that’s one of the wonderful things about this job. It’s hard work you know I have the satisfaction to know that this will accommodate many people for a long time. “
What you need to know
- Berkshire Housing Development Corporation built a new affordable housing complex on the site of the old Williamstown Manufacturing Company
- It’s a mix of townhouses and apartments with a total of 42 units
- The opening was delayed for a few months due to problems caused by the pandemic
- The project is helping to meet the need for affordable housing in Williamstown
On the site there are three new townhouses and the renovated mill building, known as “the cube” with a total of 42 units.
“It’s a mix of one, two and three bedrooms,” said new President and CEO Eileen Peltier. “Often our apartments are a mix of one and two-person apartments, but we have added three and two-person apartments to this project to encourage families.”
The project had to grapple with several COVID-related issues during the final stages of construction, delaying the opening for a few months.
“Initially there was a crew here that tested positive so they had to quit the job,” said Ogden. “And there were a lot of problems with the material supply.”
The residents will move in next week. The entire complex will be full by the end of October.
Peltier said the project came at the perfect time as the need for affordable housing increased after the pandemic.
“The focus is on the need for affordable living space,” said Peltier. “The need has always been there, but I think the churches really recognize that need and it is wonderful to see a church like Williamstown embracing a project like this.”
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