Construction has begun to convert a single-family Victorian home on upper Washington Street into three homeowner condominium units and add two duplex units on the property.
Developer Essex County Habitat for Humanity and former owners Keith and Diane Boucher welcomed officials Thursday to see renovations begin. Habitat for Humanity Executive Director credited the Bouchers, who now live across the street, for selling the property at below-market value. He said the seven units will be built by volunteers and future owners
“Which will create seven affordable homes for homebuyers, give these families an opportunity to put down roots, to build equity and to become active members of the Haverhill community. We’re super excited about that,” he said.
Mayor Melinda E. Barrett also praised the Bouchers’ efforts over the years. “They believed in community before the community believed in itself and we have to commend them for that because they’ve been working diligently in this area since they got here,” she said.
Boucher cited the progress the Mount Washington neighborhood has made since he first moved there in 2012.
“Today, as we speak, through the efforts of many community members and focus from city government, Mount Washington is a revitalized neighborhood, from the veterans housing at the bottom of the hill, the renovated Make It Haverhill building at 301 Washington St., the Bread and Roses affordable housing duplexes and, especially, the new Consentino middle school at the top of the hill,” he explained.
He explained the Victorian house is special, designed by noted architect C. Willis Damon and built in 1886 for Horace Everett Bartlett, a high school principal and lawyer. He and future Supreme Court Justice William H. Moody of Haverhill together tried the Lizzie Borden axe murder case in Fall River.
The Bartlett family included Albert L. Bartlett, who owned the house across the street, was Haverhill mayor from 1915 to 1917, later a state representative. Both Bartletts are descendants of Gov. Josiah Bartlett, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Boucher also credited Joe at Fantini Bakery and Aimee Tsakirellis at Cedar’s Foods for opening up their corporate wallets up to help make the project possible.