Residents Fear Drop in Property Values as Housing Unit Relocates

Residents living near the future construction site for the relocation of the Charlesview Apartments, a low-income housing unit, raised concerns that the complex’s move might decrease their property values and that the construction project might lead to an increase in pests and noise at a public meeting Wednesday.

In a land swap deal with Harvard, The Charlesview Board of Directors intends to relocate residents of The Charlesview Apartments—a concrete cluster of low-income housing units located near Harvard Business School—from its current location near the planned Allston Science Complex to a site a few blocks west on Western Ave.

General contractor John Moriarty & Associates and other members of the construction team presented the 2-year construction plan to residents at Wednesday’s meeting. The proposal will be considered by the Boston Traffic Department before demolition begins in April.

Some residents who live in the vicinity of Charlesview’s new location expressed concern that the value of their homes will significantly decrease as a result of the relocation. These residents said they worry that the addition of low-income housing in their neighborhood will drive down property values, something that could have ramifications for residents on both sides of the income divide.

One neighborhood resident, Tim McHale, said that he was concerned that fears of declining property values might make it difficult for low-income residents to integrate themselves into the neighborhood.

“We want to embrace the arrival of the Charlesview residents,” McHale said, who also added that residents’ primary concern at this juncture is “the completion of the physical structures in a timely and safe matter.”

Construction plans include building an underground parking garage for the future residents to leave street parking available for current neighbors. Additionally, representatives of John Moriarty & Associates said construction trucks will occupy parking spaces within the site and will rent spaces in other areas in order to decrease interference with residential life.

“Construction needs to be a proactive approach rather than a reactive approach,” said Chris Brown, senior vice president of the company.

According to Felicia Jacques, director of development northeast region for The Community Builders, mixed-income housing will be built in an effort to redevelop Charlesview. Construction is slated to begin this July, and plans include construction of 240 units for rental housing and 100 homes, which developers hope will improve housing for residents and reinvigorate Western Ave.

In the past, Allston residents have raised concerns that construction projects in the city have negatively impacted the community by, for example, drawing pests such as rats and mice.

At Wednesday’s meeting, residents said dust and pests from the construction could raise health issues, but contractors said that they will put in place measures to mitigate such effects.

Brown said construction will “work from the outside inwards” in order to create walls that will buffer noise and dust. He added that rodent control plans are in place both at the construction site and at nearby sewers.

“Before we start any work on site, the entire perimeter will have little black rodent control boxes in place,” Brown said. “We will have a weekly monitoring system to check the boxes, rather than monthly ones.”

Construction plans also include slightly moving the McDonald's in the Brighton Mills shopping area in order to extend Teleford Street. The Community Builders said this will allow for more pedestrian traffic while creating space for the Charlesview relocation.

The Community Builders also announced that they will continue to have an open-door policy, opening an office in 355 Western Ave., where residents can ask questions and voice more concerns during what is expected to be a 28-month long construction project.

—Staff writer Nathalie R. Miraval can be reached at nmiraval@college.harvard.edu.