Owner and developers of 7-11 Curtis St., Seth Williams and Jim Grossman, were back before the Harbor View Neighborhood Association (HVNA) during the group’s September meeting earlier this month. .
This was the second time Williams and Grossman, along with their attorney Jeff Drago, pitched their plan to demolish the existing structure that currently houses Eastern Flooring, combine four separate parcels and erect two buildings–one on Curtis Street with 21 units and a second one on Saratoga Street with eight units.
Drago said his clients want to create a mix of condo/rental units. The building with 21 units will include 18 parking spots while the building with only eight units on Saratoga Street will have no parking spots.
“We have heard feedback that most people did not like the more contemporary design and we have now adjusted the design to a more traditional design that fits more with the surrounding community. “
Drago said the his clients have moved away from boxy brick building and have now incorporated bay windows, the use of fiber cement clapboard siding, shed
dormers and added continuity with windows to pick up site lines of adjacent buildings.
Drago said the project has gone down from five stories down to four stories and the parking has been sunk underground.
“We also added bike storage, street trees, and widened the sidewalks all to improve infrastructure in the area,” said Drago.
At the meeting HVNA members seemed to be warming up to the project when compared to the initial presentation before COVID hit, but many still have concerns.
“I give credit for giving a new design but I still think it’s too many units for that amount
of land,” said one resident. “I hope you consider reducing even further.”