Park in the Garage!

Charlestown Bridge

Representatives for Mezzo Design Lofts appeared before the Charlestown Neighborhood Council last week to outline steps they are taking to ensure that tenants use the development’s on-site garage.

The $54 million, 146-unit complex on Caldwell Street 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 an on-site garage with 187 parking spaces. Mezzo Design Lofts was forced to switch to rental apartments in November 2007 in the face of “a dismal condo market,” according to Cathartes senior project manager Mark Barer
Cathatrtes attorney Louis Miller said tenants from approximately 75 percent of the 44 units that have been rented so far have opted to use the garage.

Per the lease agreement, Miller also said tenants with cars are required to park in the garage. “Anyone who lives in [the development] and doesn’t park in the garage can be evicted,” he added.

Miller said abutters should notify the management office if Mezzo tenants are parking on the street.

In addition, Miller said the developer was in negotiations with Boston Transportation Department officials to prohibit the city from issuing resident parking stickers to Mezzo tenants, thereby ensuring that they must park in the garage.

Miler said free parking in the garage would also be provided to all visitors to the development.

CNC representative Mike Charbonnier was pleased that Cathartes representatives were on hand at the meeting to address community concerns.

“The most important thing is that they came before the community, which is what they should have done in the first place,” Charbonnier said during a phone interview Monday. “Residents of Brighton and Parker streets were interested to learn why the usage of parking and the building in general had changed. All developers should adhere to the community process and respect abutters and residents of Charlestown.”