Plan Before Council Seeks to Demolish Emerson Street Building; Erect 24 Apartments

The building at 66-68 Emerson St., Haverhill, formerly housed Comcast local offices. (WHAV News photograph.)

Click image for Haverhill City Council agenda.

A two-story commercial building in downtown Haverhill that once housed a local Comcast office would be demolished and replaced with 24 apartments.

The Haverhill City Council tomorrow night is being asked to grant a special permit to Anthony J. Rossi to build 11-two-bedroom, 10 studio and three three-bedroom apartments at 66 Emerson St., opposite Bailey Boulevard. Last month, members of the Haverhill Planning Board gave the project a conditional favorable recommendation.

Economic Development and Planning Director William Pillsbury Jr. told councilors in a memorandum, “The proposed project is consistent with housing stock in the surrounding neighborhood and represents the opportunity to have infill housing that will serve to bring additional stability to the area by improving conditions and property values.”

Rossi’s Chelsea-based Emerson Street Investment said in papers filed with the city that he will develop the property himself just as he has with the former St. Gregory/St. James School at 108 Harrison St. The apartments, allowed by right under city code, would be rented at market rates. Rossi said he purchased the 1875-era building three years ago with the intention of building 40 apartments, but scaled back plans after working with city departments.

The new building will be set back on the lot to allow for more green space and contain enough on-site parking to meet city regulations.

The Haverhill City Council meets tomorrow night in the Theodore A. Pelosi Jr. City Council Chambers, room 202, Haverhill City Hall, 4 Summer St. As a public service, 97.9 WHAV plans to broadcast the meeting live.

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