LAKEVILLE — Five years after receiving final approval, construction has begun on the Holley Place affordable housing development in Lakeville.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Tuesday, March 24, at the project site at 14 Holley St.
The three-story building will include 14 rental units — 10 one-bedroom and four two-bedroom apartments — as well as a garage beneath the structure with 22 parking spaces. The development is expected to be completed and ready for occupancy in spring 2027.
The project is being developed by the Salisbury Housing Committee, a private nonprofit organization that owns and operates affordable housing properties in the region.
According to Peter Halle, president of the Salisbury Housing Committee, the development is intended to serve households across a range of income-restricted levels.
Some units will be reserved for applicants earning at or below 50% of the area median income ($40,750 for an individual), while others will be available to those earning up to 80% of the area median income ($65,200 for an individual).
State Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno attended the ceremony and emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing affordable housing initiatives.
“We can only do this if we all partner and work together,” she said, adding that “having a community that cares makes a difference.”
Halle credited State Rep. Maria Horn (D-64) with helping secure a key funding source.
“Eighteen months ago, when we were evaluating how to finance Holley Place, Maria applied for Urban Act funding, which resulted in a $2 million award,” he said.
Halle further acknowledged the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston and Torrington Savings Bank for providing financing through a loan and grant, describing their contributions as “an essential piece of the funding puzzle.”
Halle also noted the significant role of private donors.
“The residents of our town have skin in the game,” he said, highlighting the Bates Foundation for its $275,000 contribution.
First Selectman Curtis Rand reflected on the site’s history, noting that approximately 75 years ago it was home to a large residential building in what he described as a more vibrant downtown Lakeville.
“Down the hill to our east was a full-on grocery store, a pharmacy, a bar, several restaurants, a shoe repair shop, two barber shops, and kids like me could even buy vinyl albums in a record store,” Rand said.
The 0.31-acre Holley Street property was donated to the town in 1967 by the Belcher family, with the condition that the town demolish the structure known as the Holley Block, which dated to the 1890s. The building was subsequently torn down, and the site was later transformed into Bicentennial Park before being identified as a location for affordable housing.
While acknowledging that the project faced opposition, Rand said the town is ready to move forward.
“This project met with some resistance, but it is time to turn that page and welcome a new future for people and our town,” he said.
Following a lengthy public hearing process, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved the development in May 2021. Opponents raised concerns about traffic, parking, the scale of the project, and the availability of alternative sites.
A subsequent lawsuit alleging that the commission failed to consider a “feasible and prudent alternative” was dismissed by Superior Court Judge Andrew Roraback in February 2023.
The Salisbury Housing Committee currently owns and operates 50 units of affordable rental housing in Salisbury, including Sarum Village and Lakeview Apartments.
To apply for a unit, prospective tenants are advised to go to salisburycthousing.org
Alec Linden contributed to this article
Justine and Victor Valla in their studio with a painting of Victor’s,”Jonah and the Whale.” Robin Roraback 
A ceramic vase by Kathleen Heidemann.Provided 
Joy Brown’s delightful ceramic sculptures.Provided 
