Lynn Waterworks deemed beyond repair

LYNN - A collective agreement to demolish the aging Waterworks building on Walnut Street was made by residents and abutters Tuesday, citing safety reasons and the need for additional single family homes in the community.

While plans have yet to be finalized, the proposal to construct a mixed-use development of five single-family homes, three on Childs, two on Flint and two multi-family homes on Walnut Street were discussed. The residences would be sold at both affordable and market rates.

According to Neighborhood Development Manager for Lynn Housing Authority (LHA) Peggy Phelps, the city came to a crossroads on the project, which was originally slated for condominiums.

"We started off on one course and deviated to another," she said. "It all comes down to dollars and cents and there ended up being way too much to develop with condo units that most likely wouldn't sell."

The empty façade of the approximately 120-year-old structure is all that remains of the former facility and is situated amongst five newly constructed affordable and market value homes, as part of a project by the Lynn Community Development Housing Corporation (LCDHC) and LHAND.

Supportive beams attached to one side of the building demonstrate its ailing infrastructure and the need for it to be razed, according to Engineer Chuck Faia of Parsons & Faia Inc.

"There are so many cracks, the bricks are falling apart and the masonry cost for the building would be staggering alone," he said. "If we were to build the condo's, they would have to be sold at like $500,000. People in Boston wouldn't mind spending that amount, but we wouldn't get it here."

Flint Street resident Tom Carey agreed with the decision to tear the building down, calling it an eyesore

"It would be nice to refurbish it, but if not, get rid of it," he said. "It's a safety hazard."

Despite the need for added affordably priced single family homes in the neighborhood, concerns of rodents, loud construction and traffic jams were made clear by abutters.

Bill Swaczyk said he became frustrated with the recent construction of the new surrounding homes after nails were found in his tires and wires had been accidentally ripped from his home.

"I actually like living here, but I've asked numerous times to get these problems corrected," he said. "I just don't want to go through this again."

Executive Director of LHA Charlie Gaeta said he would address both Swacyzk's and other resident's concerns in a timely manner, in addition to the rodent problem, which Phelps said has been aggressively baited and exterminated within the last three weeks.

Gaeta said a request for a "fast track demo" would go before the Zoning Board of Appeals with the hope it can be approved quickly and torn down before school resumes, to avoid potential safety hazards.

Jim Chalmers, owner of the Walnut Street Café, cited the need for a traffic study to be conducted prior to construction because of the potential for increased traffic flow with the additional homes.

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