Cruz Companies and Housing and Economic Development secretary Ash break ground on $45 million The Residences at Harvard Commons

February 05, 2016 - Owners Developers & Managers
Colin Johannen, Tetra Tech; Micheal Washington, MWA Architects; Justin Cruz, Cruz Cos.; Matthew Birmingham, Cruz Cos.; John Cruz III, Cruz Cos.; state rep. Russell Holmes; Daniel Cruz, Cruz Cos.; state senator Sonia Chang Diaz; Jay Ash, HED; Sheila Dillon, Department of Neighborhood Dev.; Edgar Carrere, Cruz Cos.; Dennis Tourse, Tourse and Associates PC. Colin Johannen, Tetra Tech; Micheal Washington, MWA Architects; Justin Cruz, Cruz Cos.; Matthew Birmingham, Cruz Cos.; John Cruz III, Cruz Cos.; state rep. Russell Holmes; Daniel Cruz, Cruz Cos.; state senator Sonia Chang Diaz; Jay Ash, HED; Sheila Dillon, Department of Neighborhood Dev.; Edgar Carrere, Cruz Cos.; Dennis Tourse, Tourse and Associates PC.

Dorchester, MA Cruz Companies and Housing and Economic Development (HED) secretary Jay Ash broke ground on the final phase of The Residences at Harvard Commons, a new community of single-family homeowners consisting of 54 homes that will serve families from a wide variety of economic and ethnic backgrounds. The construction/development cost of bringing the 54 single-family homes to the neighborhood is $25 million. This is in addition to the 45 units of affordable housing already created through the $20 million Harvard Commons Rental Cooperative project. So the total development cost of all of these Harvard Commons projects is $45 million.

“New housing in Dorchester strengthens the community while supporting local workers and families,” said Ash. “I am glad to see our MassWorks investments pay off for Dorchester residents, and I look forward to working with Cruz Companies and others to create good, affordable housing in Dorchester and the rest of the Commonwealth.”

The final phase of the project will bring an additional 28, custom, market rate “for sale” homes to the subdivision, located at Senator Bolling Circle. The project will also include a full-featured community center, gym, and child-care facility for the residents of Harvard Commons.

“We thank HED for its support in this project, which has allowed the complete transformation of this Dorchester neighborhood,” said John Cruz III, president of Cruz Cos., one of the oldest and largest, minority-owned businesses in the Northeast. “This beautiful subdivision will provide suburban-quality housing to the city, while also strengthening the neighborhood’s multicultural identity.”

The Residences at Harvard Commons lies on a portion of the former Boston State Hospital site, which has been vacant since its closure in 1979.

“I am happy to go to bat for Cruz Companies because they provide quality housing in our community and hire local residents, minorities and women in an effort to provide economic opportunities for all,” said senator Sonia Chang-Diaz.

Following the groundbreaking event, attendees participated in a tour of a beautiful Harvard Commons home, which was led by a proud existing homeowner.

“I want to thank Cruz Companies for their work to bring quality market rate home ownership opportunities to the area,” said Rep. Russell Holmes. “Harvard Commons proves that our communities can and should have a mix of options.”

In January 2015, HED awarded Cruz Development a MassWorks grant of $1.9 million to complete the infrastructure at Harvard Commons. This work included the installation of sewer, drainage and electrical utilities, as well as the construction of roadway, curbing and sidewalks.

In addition to HED, Cruz Companies worked closely with local leaders, residents and members of the Boston State Hospital Citizens Advisory Committee, to ensure the project provides for a mix of households from a wide variety of economic and ethnic backgrounds.

Cruz Companies motto is “Cruz Cares” and its mission is giving back to the community through job, housing and investing in other minority businesses, Cruz is a modern firm that values old-fashioned quality and integrity. The John B. Cruz Construction Company is responsible for landmark projects and developments across the region; Cruz Development Corporation produces well-designed homes, maintaining the highest standards of workmanship, and Cruz Management Company provides quality residential housing management services.

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