ADM Plans Affordable Housing For Rosebrook

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WAREHAM, MA – The A.D. Makepeace Company has proposed development of a 180-unit rental project at its Rosebrook Business Park property.

The two four-story buildings have been designed to be compatible with its neighbors, the existing 100 Rosebrook medical office building housing Southcoast Health, and the All American Assisted Living complex. The apartments will have views of expansive cranberry bogs to the north.

Preliminary plans show 135 market-rate apartments, and 45 apartments that will be income-restricted in perpetuity and made available to households with an income at or below 80 percent of the area median income. Thirty-one of the affordable units could have a local preference.

The project, known as 200 Rosebrook, will most likely put the Town of Wareham above the state-mandated goal of 10 percent affordable housing. This means the Chapter 40B regulations, which relax local zoning requirements for affordable housing projects and lessens a town’s ability to restrict or reject such plans, will be satisfied.

“This is the perfect location for such a development,” said James Kane, president and chief executive officer of the A.D. Makepeace Company. “It’s close to shops and services, public transportation, and hundreds of jobs, while also in a beautiful natural setting that is development ready, with infrastructure in place.”

When ADM began construction of Rosebrook in 2011, the company built roads and utility infrastructure that will more than accommodate the proposed housing.

MassHousing, a quasi-public state agency, issued a project eligibility letter on December 11, 2024, determining that 200 Rosebrook meets state standards regarding income restrictions, unit size and configuration, and other details. Therefore, the project is now eligible to apply for a comprehensive permit from the Wareham Zoning Board of Appeals.

The ZBA has scheduled a public hearing on the project for March 26 at 6 p.m.

Mr. Kane said company representatives have met informally with local officials, to keep them informed. All agree that Massachusetts is facing a housing shortage and this project will meet many of the town and state goals for housing production.

“It is particularly beneficial to the town that this project helps meet affordable housing needs while potentially removing the threat of an ‘unfriendly’ 40B project that neighbors do not like,” Mr. Kane said. He noted that aside from the residents of the existing apartments at 35 Rosebrook and the All-American Assisted Living residents, there are no residential neighbors.

The 170-year-old A.D. Makepeace Company is the developer of Rosebrook Place and Rosebrook Business Park and the award-winning Redbrook, North America’s largest cranberry grower, and a recognized leader in environmentally responsible real estate development and stewardship. Visit admakepeace.com for more information.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Visits Redbrook to Announce $158 Million for New Affordable Housing

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PLYMOUTH — Today, the Healey-Driscoll Administration announced $158 million in low-income housing tax credit and subsidy awards for 14 affordable housing projects across the state. These awards will support the production and preservation of 1,138 affordable units for seniors and families across the state. These awards were made possible in part by the $1 billion tax relief bill signed by Governor Maura Healey in 2023, which raised the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to $60 million annually, a $20 million increase that allows the state to support more affordable housing production.

“High housing costs are one of the biggest challenges facing Massachusetts residents. Our administration is refusing to kick the can down the road. We need to increase housing production across the state to lower costs – and these affordable housing awards will help us get there,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Because of our tax cuts package, we’re able to give out more funding than ever before, which will directly support the creation of more than 1,000 affordable homes for seniors and families across our state.”

“Every dollar we’re delivering to developers and communities directly translates into new, affordable homes for residents across our state,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “It’s great to be in Plymouth today to see how they are embracing the incredible benefits that new housing brings and delivering a great place to call home for hundreds of seniors. We’re excited to see how these awards will get shovels in ground for Cranberry Commons and housing projects across the state.”

On Thursday, Governor Healey, Lieutenant Governor Driscoll, Secretary Augustus and local officials visited the Redbrook community in Plymouth, where The Grantham Group will be building Cranberry Commons with the support of one of the awards. When completed, Cranberry Commons will offer 62 total units, all of which will be affordable for seniors.

“The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s is working hard not only to expand affordable housing opportunities across the Commonwealth but also to preserve our rich history through the restoration and adaptive reuse of historic buildings for housing,” said Ed Augustus, Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities. “The 14 projects being awarded today represent another strong step forward to drive down housing costs and will foster stronger communities for years to come.”

“The Town of Plymouth appreciates the Healey-Driscoll administration’s ongoing dedication to affordable housing,” said Plymouth Town Manager Derek Brindisi. “This award reinforces the Town’s commitment to expanding affordable housing options for our residents.”

Projects include new senior developments, a deep energy retrofit, and the adaptive reuse of an old mill being converted into housing. A total of 95 percent of units will be affordable to seniors or families earning less than 60 percent of AMI. At least 327 units will be deeply affordable and restricted to individuals or families earning less than 30 percent of AMI.