DRACUT — Common Ground Development Corporation (CGDC), the affordable housing development affiliate of Community Teamwork, today celebrated the official ribbon cutting of The Avenue at Greenmont, a new 56-unit affordable senior housing community located at 144 Greenmont Avenue in Dracut.
The Avenue at Greenmont provides safe, affordable, and accessible housing for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The three-story community features 56 one-bedroom apartments, community gathering spaces, resident services, outdoor seating areas, a fenced pet area, and amenities designed to support aging in place and long-term independence. All 56 apartments are affordable to households earning up to 60 percent of the Area Median Income through the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program. In addition to quality housing, residents will have access to supportive services through partnerships with Peabody Properties, AgeSpan, Community Teamwork, and the Dracut Council on Aging.
The project represents more than 10 years of planning, collaboration, and investment by local, state, federal and private partners committed to addressing the growing need for affordable housing across the Merrimack Valley, and specifically, Dracut. It is the first Senior Housing built in Dracut in 35 years.
“The Avenue at Greenmont represents much more than 56 units—it represents opportunity, security, and dignity for seniors and people with disabilities who wish to age and thrive in communities they helped build,” said Carl Howell, CEO of Community Teamwork. “Across Massachusetts, the shortage of housing continues to place tremendous pressure on seniors living on fixed incomes as well as households that need more accessible spaces. Developments like The Avenue at Greenmont demonstrate what is possible when local leaders, state partners, lenders, and community organizations come together with a shared commitment to solving one of our region’s most pressing challenges. We are proud that Common Ground Development Corporation is helping lead that effort.”
State Representative Colleen Gary emphasized that The Avenue at Greenmont is more than just housing units – it is a place to create connection and community for seniors. It also means that seniors are able to sell their homes which may have become difficult to maintain, which in turn, opens up the opportunity for new young families to move into Dracut helping to expand and grow the overall community.
Funding for the development was provided through a partnership that included the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC), Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP), Citizens Bank, Boston Financial, the Town of Dracut, and the Charles H. Farnsworth Trust.
Jennifer Maddox, Deputy Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities stated that Massachusetts continues to face a significate need for affordable housing, particularly for older adults seeking to remain in communities they call home. Importantly, Massachusetts will need to build more than 220,000 units by 2035 to meet housing needs.
“This project is a testament to Common Ground’s development model – working in partnership with municipalities and local government to create affordable housing in our communities.”, said Rachelly Bartolotto, Director, Common Ground
Designed by BWA Architects and constructed to high-performance energy standards, The Avenue at Greenmont reflects a shared commitment to sustainability, accessibility, and community-centered development. The development includes community rooms, shared laundry facilities, tenant storage, landscaped outdoor spaces, and service-enriched programming that will help residents remain healthy, independent, and connected. Consigli Construction Co., Inc. served as the construction manager.
“The Avenue at Greenmont provides critically important affordable housing resources to local seniors, equipping the community with an accessible and sustainable environment that supports long-term care and services,” said William O’Rourke, Director, Project Executive at Consigli Construction Co., Inc. “Consigli is grateful to have partnered with Common Ground Development Corporation to deliver this impactful project to Town of Dracut, and our team is thrilled to help welcome its newest residents home.”
Peabody Properties will manage the property and provide a robust service plan to address the needs of the elderly population through Peabody Resident Services. Applications will continue to be accepted and can be found on the website at Apartments in Dracut, MA | The Avenue at Greenmont.
Speakers at the ribbon-cutting ceremony included Rachelly Bartolotta, Director of Common Ground Development Corporation; Maria Syrniotis, District Director for Congresswoman Lori Trahan; State Representative Colleen M. Garry; Jennifer Maddox, Deputy Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities; Ethan Handelman, Executive Director of CEDAC; Nancy McCafferty, Director of Business Development at Massachusetts Housing Partnership; Don Plummer, Chair of the Dracut Board of Selectmen; and Cathy Mercado, President of the Common Ground Development Corporation Board of Directors, and Executive Director of the Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership.
Left to right: Marie Sweeney, CTI Board Member, Richard Lefferts, Consultant, Bill Lipchitz, former longtime CTI Employee, Marie Syrniotis, District Director – Office of Congresswoman Lori Trahan, Carl Howell, CTI CEO, Rachelly Bartolotto, Director Common Ground, Don Plummer, Chair, Dracut Board of Selectman, Representative Colleen Gary, Nancy McCafferty, Director of Business Development, MHP, Jennifer Maddox, Deputy Secretary, EOHLC Cathy Mercado, President Common Ground Board of Directors and Ethan Handelman, Executive Director, CEDAC.
