CONVERTING FORMER MILL FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING AN IDEAL CASE OF RE-USE

By The Westerly Sun staff

For more than a year now, it's been apparent that addressing South County's worsening affordable-housing crisis will take some innovative solutions. And while individual towns are still busy formulating affordable housing plans, it's clear that any long-term resolutions will require thinking "outside the box" from traditional government remedies.

It's encouraging, then, to see the first truly innovative solution explored in Hopkinton, where town officials are seeking $250,000 in Community Development Block Grants to aid low-and moderate-income residents -- and to spend $20,000 of that to begin renovating the former Rockville Mill complex into an affordable housing site.

The mill, built in 1844, has long been shut down as rope factory, but still houses four businesses, including a jewelry shop run by building owner Matthew Hopkins. And while an architectural firm is poised to undertake a structural analysis, its clear that the building and its granite walls should be able to house new residents in need of affordable housing. Indeed, if the businesses can be effectively relocated, and if the site can meet housing requirements, it would mark an ideal case of revitalizing an industrial building to address a growing modern-day problem.

Hopkins, who narrowly lost a bid to become a state lawmaker in his own right when he bowed to state Rep. Matt McHugh in the 2002 House race, noted that such a project would represent an ideal development, in that it could address the town's affordable housing crunch without requiring any new building. And he's right. In fact, the rehabilitation and re-use of existing buildings is among the best forms of development, whether it involves residential or commercial use. In this case, the benefits are multifold because they address the town's perceived affordable housing shortage as well.

All of this comes, of course, as town and state officials are working out new guidelines for the state's flawed Low-and Moderate-Income Housing Act. And the state has clamped a moratorium on any new proposals, such as Charlestown's high-density Ninigret Hamlet project and the Spinnaker Landing project in Westerly, where officials and developers had carved out a deal that could work for all.

But Hopkinton's step forward to at least make a small dent in this region-wide problem is worth a long look, and could stand as a model for other communities trying to make similar strides.

With that in mind, let's hope this innovative and infinitely logical project gets the attention -- and the funding -- it deserves. And let's hope officials in other towns are willing to consider following Hopkinton's lead.