Charlestown: Condo vs. Apartment

Mezzo developer responds to parking and traffic concerns by Dan Murphy
Charlestown Bridge

Following the decision last fall to market Mezzo Design Lofts as apartments instead of condominiums, some residents are concerned about the potential impact that the residential development and its on-site parking garage will have on Sullivan Square.
“Traffic and parking in an already congested area were [my constituents’] main concerns from day one,” said Charlestown Neighborhood Council Precinct 7 representative Mike Charbonnier.

The $54 million, 146-unit complex was developed by Boston-based Cathartes Private Investments in partnership with the Canyon Johnson Urban Fund a private equity fund co-founded by former NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson that provides financial backing for residential and commercial projects in urban areas. The development also includes 187 parking spaces in its on-site four-story garage.

According to a March 3 letter from Cathartes senior project manager Mark Barer to CNC Chairman Tom Cunha. Mezzo Design Lofts was forced to switch to apartments in November 2007 in the face of “a dismal condo market.”

Rob Simmons, an assistant project manager for Cathartes, said prior to bringing the proposal to market the units as apartments to the Boston Redevelopment Authority, Cathartes contacted City Councilor Sal LaMattina. On LaMattina’s advice, Simmons said abutters were notified of the project change last fall.

While Barer said Cathartes couldn’t mandate that tenants park in the garage rather than on the street, he said he believed most tenants would choose to pay the additional $175 monthly parking fee for the security and weather protection that the garage provides. So far, Barer said roughly half of the approximately 15 tenants living at Mezzo have chosen to park at the garage.

“We’re trying to keep cars off the streets and be good neighbors,” Barer said, adding that property manager has encouraged tenants to use the garage.
Cunha said that residents feared that the garage would be open to the public. “They’re worried that the garage will essentially be a parking lot, and the neighborhood doesn’t want that,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ted Carman, a consultant to Cathartes, said with monthly rental prices ranging from $1,695 for studios to $3,200 for three-bedrooms, the price of on-site parking shouldn’t be an issue for most Mezzo residents.

“The tenants who can afford the rent here can afford the parking as well,” Carman said. “And it’s far more convenient than parking on the street.”