Homes project awaits waiver

The federal government wants to make sure the renovation of the former Social Security building won't interfere with air traffic.

Neighbors of Watertown Inc. has been waiting for a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration to begin work on the two-story building in the middle of the city at 190 Stone St.

"We're waiting for them to state the obvious," Neighbors Executive Director Gary C. Beasley said.

For several months, it was not clear the paperwork was necessary. But because the federal government donated the building to Neighbors, the application is required.

"It's the only remaining 'i' that needs to be dotted," Mr. Beasley said.

The renovations will create 10 transitional living apartments in the building. A vacant house at 196 Stone St. also will be converted into three apartments, and deteriorating buildings at 129 and 131 Sherman St. will be torn down and converted into a small park for tenants and a driveway.

Neighbors and city officials have been planning the project since at least 2005. The General Services Administration notified local officials in 2004 of its intention to declare the Social Security building as surplus property and eligible to be sold.

Any federal surplus property has to be offered first to nonprofit organizations for projects such as operating a homeless housing complex or health clinic before it can be placed on the market.

In November 2007, Neighbors was awarded a nearly $2.2 million grant from the state's Homeless Housing and Assistance Program. The FAA waiver is the final piece the state needs before it can authorize the agency to spend the money.

On Thursday, Watertown Local Development Corp. extended the term of its $115,000 loan to Neighbors for six months, to the end of May. The loan helped Neighbors with the purchase of the properties involved in the project.

Mr. Beasley said the agency hopes to receive the approvals by Christmas. Then the agency can go to contract and begin work after Jan. 1.

"Once we go to contract, we'll need to finalize architecture and specs, but we should start and finish within one year," Mr. Beasley said.