HUDSON – Ground was broken on a project that will turn the former Hudson Police Department station at 62 Packard St. into an affordable housing project.
This is the first town-sponsored affordable housing project.
“We are honored to continue the legacy of this property in service of the community,” said Metro West Collaborative Development’s Executive Director Caitlin Madden during the groundbreaking on Sept. 27.
Affordable Housing Trust Chair Kevin Santos said the project has been years in the making.
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Transferring the site to the trust was approved during the 2020 Town Meeting. Back in 2021, Metro West Collaborative Development submitted its proposal for the project, which calls for 40 family rental homes in four buildings, including three three-unit townhomes and a low-rise building.
Metro West’s proposal was later selected by Hudson’s Affordable Housing Trust.
Select Board Chair Scott Duplisea, who had served on the Housing Authority for over 21 years before joining the board, recalled when conversations first began about 62 Packard Street.
Before becoming the police station, the site was Packard Street School. The police department moved out of this building in 2017. Duplisea said neighbors reached out to the town, asking what was going to happen with the property.
“As a resident, you don’t want to just see anything happen when you live right next door. They put up with sirens and cars screeching for years,” Duplisea said. “Eventually, I think this is going to be a great usage.”
Duplisea and many of the other speakers raised the point of soaring housing costs.
“In a time when homeownership costs have soared beyond affordability in the Greater Boston, I’m proud [of] this commitment here in Hudson to make these units available to deserving families,” Duplisea said.
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Sen. Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough) said often when affordable housing is constructed — particularly in the MetroWest — it tends to be for seniors. While affordable housing is needed for seniors, Eldridge said low-income housing is just as critical for families.
“We think about all of the waiting lists that are in every single community, including Hudson, and how this is going to help address that backlog and really make sure that, as we’re being a welcoming community, that we’re making sure that that’s welcoming to those that are less well-off and to low-income families,” Eldridge said.
The project is estimated to be completed by early 2025 with full occupancy by summer 2025.
