Seniors vie for low-cost apartments

More than 250 seniors are vying in the November lottery for 36 below-market-rate apartments under construction off Wall Street in Burlington.

The apartments, which should be completed in February, are part of a complex land swap that started in 2001 and has netted the town a historic farm and tavern, open space, the 36 affordable-housing units, and a state award for innovation.

Though Burlington never adopted the state's Community Preservation Act -- which aims to help communities buy open space, preserve historic sites, and create affordable housing and recreational spots -- the land swap helps the town achieve the same goals, without the tax surcharge imposed by the act. As a bonus, the units have brought the town beyond the state goal of at least 10 percent of a community's housing classified as affordable.

"We had our own preservation [act] without one dime coming from the taxpayers," said planning director Jayne Hyde, referring to the Community Preservation Act surcharge that can add up to 3 percent on property taxes. "We ended up with open space with a historic site and senior housing."

The innovative land swap involved town officials and developers Gary Ruping and Arthur Gutierrez.

Billerica developer Ruping gave the town his aged and crumbling Grandview Farm and Marion Tavern. The town gave Gutierrez 14.5 acres of land in an industrial area off Wheeler Road, where Gutierrez eventually plans to build a 170,000-square-foot office building, said Hyde. Gutierrez gave Ruping 11.1 acres of land, where he will build 144 market-rate units and the 36 affordable senior units. Gutierrez also gave the town two homes near South Bedford Street, which will be used for affordable housing.

In addition, Ruping and Gutierrez each will donate to the town $100,000 a year for 20 years. The town also ends up with open space around the Grandview Farm and near Wall Street.

"I was involved from the very beginning," Ruping said of the deal, which involved Town Administrator Robert Mercier and selectmen. "It was a very complicated process. It's never been done before. So we really had to break new ground."

Already, the lottery for the senior citizens is stirring up interest. Hyde said she has already heard from 250 people who want an application for the lottery. According to Ruping, a one-bedroom apartment will rent for $950 per month and a two-bedroom for $1,100.

Hyde said applicants must be 62 or older, and preference will be given in descending order to people who fall into the following categories.

People who have lived 35 years in Burlington and have 80 percent of the median income. (No assets are taken into account, Hyde said. In this category, the maximum income is $43,300 for a one-person household and $52,900 for a two-person household.)

Lived 35 years in Burlington, with 90 percent median income.

Lived 35 years in Burlington, with 100 percent median income.

Lived in Burlington less than 35 years, with no limit on income.

Have relatives who live in Burlington.

Anyone 62 or older from any community.

The land swap won Burlington the Massachusetts Municipal Association's Kenneth E. Pickard Municipal Innovation Award in 2002.

"It's never been done anywhere that we know of," said Hyde, who also is chairwoman of the Housing Partnership Subcommittee. "I don't know of anyone else who has done this. That's why I think we won the award for it."

"Gary got apartments; Gutierrez got an office building," Hyde said. "The town got Grandview Farm and is now renovating it."

Grandview Farm and Marion Tavern is a Colonial-era complex that once served as a stop on the Boston-to-Lowell stagecoach line. Residents established the Friends of the Marion Tavern and began raising money to restore the house that dates to the 1700s. When completed, the site will be used as a function facility for the town.

In addition, some of the Grandview Farm land off Center Street will be used to build and sell affordable condominiums with a deed restriction in another lottery, Hyde said.

Even though the town has reached the 10 percent state target, Hyde said the town will continue working on affordable housing.

"We are continually looking for ways to create affordable housing," she said.