Commission approves transportation plan for Veterans Home redevelopment on Crest Avenue

The Chelsea City Traffic and Parking Commission on Monday approved a transportation management plan tied to the first phase of the Veterans Home redevelopment at 95 Crest Avenue, authorizing temporary parking restrictions and traffic routing meant to accommodate scaffolding, deliveries and construction access.

The developer and contractor said the phase‑one work covers 65 units across three historic structures plus one new‑build addition, with a target start late July and an estimated 24‑month construction contract. Ryan Kirkoff of Penrose, the development partner, said the schedule remains contingent on city building permits, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development approval and lender closings.

"We are on track pending city of Chelsea building permit approval from HUD, approval from Mass Housing, approval from lenders towards a closing and a construction start at the end of July," Kirkoff told the commission. Jason Flood of Conigley, the construction manager, said crews will need the entire north side of Crest Avenue for scaffolding and deliveries and therefore the plan proposes eliminating on‑street parking along that stretch during construction.

The team estimated a peak of roughly 120–140 worker and contractor vehicles arriving daily and described mitigation measures: orientation for new hires, encouragement of carpooling and use of an off‑site lot, and site‑specific rules to reduce on‑street parking demand. Flood said the project is not earmarking reserved worker spots on neighborhood streets.

The TMP also includes truck routing consistent with the earlier Soldiers Home work — generally keeping heavy vehicles on Washington and Jefferson rather than smaller residential streets — and provisions to maintain a minimum clear width (about 20 feet) for fire apparatus. DPW staff and Conigley said the team will coordinate closely with the fire department on final access details.

Commissioners approved the plan after discussion about permitting and the need for DPW permits and, if required, a public hearing to formalize temporary one‑way or other street closures. The commission’s approval conditions require the proponent to coordinate with the fire department, follow DPW permitting for temporary traffic control, and notify neighbors about parking changes and timing.

The commission did not specify a final construction start date beyond the project team’s target and noted any future requests for additional on‑street occupancy permits during construction would come back to the city for review.

The project team said demolition of the adjacent Quigley Hospital is expected to conclude in the coming weeks, after which that parcel will be developed as a parking area that will serve the broader site later in the schedule. The commission’s approval allows the applicant to proceed with required DPW permits and follow‑up coordination with emergency services.