Engine 6 Newton Housing Advocated regrets that Mark Development has put on hold its plan to develop land around the Riverside MBTA station for laboratories and 550 units of much needed housing. We strongly support, however, its decision to negotiate with the state to use the shuttered Indigo Hotel on the site to provide homes for 64 homeless immigrant families.
At a recent meeting of the Riverside Liaison Committee, Mark Development said the negotiations might be completed within a month. An agreement hinges on the amount of money that the state would contribute for renovations and operating expenses.
It is heartening that Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and City Council President Susan Albright support the idea. The Mayor, in a statement, noted that “Newton is a welcoming community.” She was referring to a 2017 ordinance, passed overwhelming by the council, that made it clear the city would help immigrants.
City Councilor Chris Markiewicz said using Indigo for housing may require a special permit from the council. If Mark Development and the state can reach agreement, we hope the council will act quickly and favorably, mindful of its earlier decision in support of immigrants.
Unfortunately, the Indigo – far from supermarkets and other stores – is not ideal for housing immigrant families. If many children are among the residents, the Newton School Department may be challenged to offer them a good education. We hope the state will help with school costs and whatever services are necessary to provide families with transportation and other necessities.
Engine 6 believes Newton needs much more permanent, affordable housing. We expect that once the economy improves, Mark Development will move quickly to transform Riverside into a vibrant mixed-use community. But now the Indigo is a vacant building. There’s no better short-term use than housing for those in desperate need.
Tom Gagen
Engine 6 Steering Committee Member, with members of the Engine 6 Leadership Team: Fran Godine, Doris Ann Sweet, Lynn Weissberg and Nancy Zollers
