Vicksburg Square represents both the geographic center of Devens, and its heart. To do away with it is to leave the community without its major defining feature.
Vicksburg Square was built primarily for housing, and Trinity Financial has identified housing as its best reuse. Trinity recently transformed abandoned mills into a spacious, even stunning, modern apartment complex. But what Atherton Mills cannot offer that this project will is a rural setting: landscaped courtyard, abundant free parking, expansive views of open fields and rolling hills, nearby hiking and biking trails, beaches, a golf course, and other recreational amenities.
Who would be the potential renters of the 246 apartments at Vicksburg Square?
Seventy-eight of the units will be for seniors age 55 and over. Of these, the majority, 54 units, will be for those of limited, moderate income who can afford monthly rents ranging from $1,050 to $1,250 for one- and two-bedroom units. Nine units will be for those of more limited income who will pay between $500 and $550 per month for rent, and 15 units will be offered to those with unlimited resources for $1,100 to $1,300.
The remainder of the 168 apartments will not be restricted by age, but the majority, 94 units, will be for those of moderate income, who will pay a monthly rent of $1,050 to $1,400 for one- to three-bedroom units. A total of 25 units will be for lower income households who can afford the rents ranging from $500 to $600, and 49 units for those with no restrictions on their incomes, for rents ranging from $1,200 to $1,700. The workforce, and only a workforce, that these units will serve could include teachers and other municipal employees, health care providers, store employees, and veterans, to name a few occupations.
To turn the discussion around, what advantage does this proposed development offer the area? It provides readily accessible housing for employees of the growing enterprises within Devens, as well as expansion of commercial businesses in the nearly towns, both for convenience and employment. But as a 42-year resident of Harvard, including six years in Devens, it offers a far more viable community of citizens, presently too few in this otherwise business/industrial community and military training base.
Nancy Reifenstein
Walnut Street, Devens
