NEI Quarterly: First Quarter, 2019

1st Quarter 2019

NEI Quarterly Four Projects Underway For The Millennia Companies

Massachusetts Historical Commission Recognizes Maple Commons

Four Projects Underway for The Millennia Companies NEI has begun renovations to 768 apartments at four properties in Jacksonville, Florida on behalf of The Millennia Companies. Depending on the property, renovations could include significant upgrades to the interiors, exteriors, community buildings and common areas.

The Millennia Companies specialize in the acquisition, rehabilitation, and management of affordable and marketrate properties. The four apartment complexes in Jacksonville to be renovated include Valencia Way, Palmetto Glen, The Weldon, and Calloway Cove.

“We retained NEI General Contracting due to their expertise in managing complex projects throughout a wide-range of communities,” said Frank T. Sinito, CEO of The Millennia Companies. “NEI has a thorough understanding of what it takes to successfully renovate multifamily developments, and we can’t wait to see the transformation that will benefit both the residents and greater Jacksonville community.”

From Top: Valencia Way, The Weldon, Calloway Cove, and Palmetto Glen

From Left: Chris Norris of Metro Housing, Brandt Wajda and Joe Rettman of NEI, and Anne Rousseau of Metro Housing

Founded in 1998, NEI provides general contracting and construction management services. In addition to NEI’s role as general contractor of the building that Metro Housing now calls home, Joe has been a long-time friend, partner, and donor. He served as co-chair of the 2018 Champions of Housing event. Joe recently spoke about his interest in affordable housing and Metro Housing’s work.

Why does affordable housing and homelessness prevention matter to you? “Some people are spending close to 100% of their income to house themselves and their families.

Without a stable home, families don’t have a chance to advance their dreams and goals and build the fabric of family.”

Joe Rettman Talks Affordable Housing with Metro Housing Why did you first decide to support Metro Housing? “The mission of keeping people in their homes who are experiencing hard times and providing supportive services for families that are one step away from homelessness is truly God’s work. Metro Housing not only helps those in need, they help them find a path back to more stable housing. For me, supporting Metro Housing’s mission was a no-brainer.”

What do you find most challenging about the housing situation for low-income families in Boston?

“Housing costs in Boston continue to

rise at a meteoric rate and the cost of construction is through the roof. The financial resources needed to make a true dent in the situation simply are not available in the amounts needed. High rents and barriers to entry continue to be a major concern for families. On the last affordable housing project NEI completed, there were 3,200 applicants for only 28 units. If that doesn’t represent the crux of the issue, I don’t know what does.”

Reprinted with permission by Metro Housing|Boston

cover story Maple Commons Recognized by The Mass. Historical Commission NEI announced today that two of its projects have been recognized by the Massachusetts Historical Commission’s (MHC) 41st Annual Preservation Awards, including the Paul & Niki Tsongas Award- Preservation Massachusetts’ highest honor (Maple Commons), the Robert H. Kuehn Award (Bethany Apartments), and a People’s Choice Award (Maple Commons). In addition, a third project constructed by NEI – Lenox Schoolhouse Apartments– was nominated for an award this year.

“We are very proud that three of our projects were nominated this year – more than any other construction firm,” said Joe Rettman, Principal of NEI General Contracting. “We are dedicated to the preservation of historic and landmark properties. These projects require both a thorough understanding of preservation techniques as well as careful planning for the integration of new elements into existing structures. We would like to congratulate all of the firms associated with projects nominated this year.”

With 11 separate buildings, including 173 apartments and a community building, Maple Commons spreads across two city blocks in the downtown Springfield (Mass.) Lower Maple Historic District. Built between 1910 and 1917 the four-story buildings were primarily brick with craftsmanstyle ornamentation. This past year, Maple Commons underwent a substantial renovation of all the units including new kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, doors and windows. Building renovations included masonry repairs and repointing, sitework, new street lighting, and roof replacements.

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Thank You to the Team!

OWNER: First Resource Development Company, Inc. ARCHITECT: The Architectural Team NEI PROJECT TEAM: PX: Tony Tenreiro, PM: Dan Anjo, Supt: Carl Scheinost, Admin: Carolyn Davis ENGINEERING: Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection: South Shore Construction Consultants, Civil: Heritage Survey, Structural: Waterman Consulting, Historical Consultant: Tremont Preservation Service, LLC, Environmental Consultant: Axiom Partners and Harvard Environmental WITH FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM: MassHousing, City of Springfield, Department of Housing and Community Development, Housing and Community Development

Photos 1 & 4: Maple Commons by Jess Raimondi, Photo 2: Bethany Apartments by Liz Cardoso, Photo 3: Lenox Schoolhouse Apartments by Jess Raimondi

Photography by Michael Indrisano

Thank You to the Team!

OWNER: Urban Edge ARCHITECT: Prellwitz Chilinski Associates, Inc. NEI PROJECT TEAM: PX: Marc Marcelli, SPM: Chris Finch, APM: Lawrence Kimama, Supt: Ken Calder, Asst. Supt: Eric Newcomb, Admin: Carolyn Davis ENGINEERING: Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection: Wozny Barber & Associates, Civil: Samiotes Consultants Inc., Structural: Romme & Guarracino LLC, Landscape Architect: Hammer + Walsh Design Inc. WITH FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM: Bank of America, CEDAC, MassDevelopment, Massachusetts Housing Partnership, MHIC, Department of Housing and Community Development, the City of Boston, Enterprise Community Partners

NEI Wraps Up Walker Park Apartments NEI has announced the completion of Walker Park Apartments in the Egleston Square neighborhood of Boston for Urban Edge, a national leader in the community development field. This is NEI’s sixth project for Urban Edge and creates 49 units of affordable housing. The two-building apartment complex is named for Delphine Walker, founder of “Hands Around Egleston”, who was a tireless activist for the neighborhood and its children.

Located on three blighted, vacant urban infill sites surrounded by an otherwise active community, NEI handled the demolition and removal of existing structures before erecting two four-story buildings.

Adjacent to a public library and public playground in a transit-rich community, 67 Walker Park has 32 units and 80 Walker Park has 17 units. Both apartment buildings have units ranging from one bedroom to three bedrooms.

“Urban Edge is continuing our well-established commitment to the community by building Walker Park Apartments, which creates 49 units of affordable family housing in the Egleston Square neighborhood of Boston.

These homes will increase the stock of apartments in an area facing rapid gentrification,” said Emily Loomis, Director of Real Estate at Urban Edge. “We have a long-standing relationship with NEI General Contracting. They share our mission of strengthening communities and families by building affordable housing and vibrant, prosperous neighborhoods.”

The architectural firm Prellwitz Chilinski Associates, Inc. (PCA) worked closely with NEI, Urban Edge, the City of Boston Department of Neighborhood Development, MHP, the Boston Planning and Development Authority, and the Department of Housing and Community Development to expedite the approvals processes. On the design side, creative use was made of standard building materials, creating variation and interest in the façade. Unit sizes were trimmed slightly, counter lengths shortened, and other cost saving options explored ranging from adjustments to the building geometry to the potential elimination of half baths in some units to save significantly more money.

NEI’s Director of Northeast Construction Operations, Marc Marcelli, is donating his time to the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC) to assist minority business enterprises (MBE) and women-owned business enterprises (WBE). Hibbert Electrical participated in the program and was awarded the electrical scope on 80 Walker Park. As part of the program, NEI also provided free technical assistance and business education to the company.

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