Letsche School Adaptive Re-Use

Development Address:
1530 Cliff Street

Disposition:
Aligns with Master Plan

Developer/Owner:
Catalyst Communities

Project Status: Approved

Category: Housing

Score: 80%

November 2020 – Submitted to DRP

Adaptive Reuse of the Historic Letsche School located on Cliff Street
Proposed 46 unit development; 41 units inside the building + community space & new construction of 4 Townhomes on two adjacent vacant parcels
Mixed income development with 38 (82%) affordable units and 8 (18%) market rate units
Seeking URA vacant parcels to provide green space for a children’s Tot Lot
Includes 36 parking stalls
DRP conducted an internal review at the December meeting and invited the developer to formally present

Catalyst Communities formally presented to the DRP during the January 6th meeting
Project received a score of 84% B against the GHDMP
DRP requested additional strategy on how development plans to incorporate and honor the history of the building into the redevelopment

Catalyst Communities formally presented to the community during the First Quarterly Community Meeting
The project received a community score of 76% and an overall score of 80%
A letter of support was issued for the project

The Development team revisited the DRP to disclose information involving ownership changes to Catalyst Communities, previously not shared
Catalyst Communities is now a branch of Beacon Communities, a Boston based firm with approx 15,000+ units in our region
Michael Polite is now Partner & VP, overseeing development in Pennsylvania & Ohio
The development project now has transitioned from a Majority MBE Owned Project, to a Minority MBE Owned Project
An Amended Letter of Support was issued for the project