The Revitalist

Much has been made recently of the film-production tax credit arms race going on in this country. Film location decisions for the most part are not sentimental; they're bottom-line decisions, driven by costs of labor, transportation, etc. According to Glenn Rifkin of the New York Times, almost every state has a tax incentive program designed to attract the film industry, and these are getting more and more lucrative as competition heats up: In New York City, filming enjoys a 35% benefit, and even California, despite its Hollywood home-court advantage, is looking at a larger incentive program. Massachusetts raised its tax credit to 25% last year, and has seen a remarkable increase in filming in the state.

If it's all a money game, critics say, the escalation in subsidies may be stripping out all of the benefits of attracting movie business. Not so in Massachusetts. Steady film business helps sustain the creative economy jobs that are so critical to the vitality of metro Boston and the State overall. But it is outside of metro Boston that other benefits of the film tax credits are more obvious. This summer, several movies are being filmed in the Merrimack Valley. Film companies appreciate the lower costs there, and their patronage of local businesses, restaurants, hotels, etc. is a huge economic benefit to the communities.

Towns like Lowell, Haverhill, and Lawrence, with their gritty urban settings and grand historic industrial architecture, offer great sites for filming -- local resources that the tax credit helps the cities leverage. The movies and TV shows bring to town not just money, but also a chance for the towns to market themselves. Just last week, AHF licensed with Disney to film part of a new futuristic action movie outside Washington Mills Building #1, our new loft apartment building in Lawrence. The movie is filming at a number of other nearby sites as well.  It can’t hurt the Merrimack Valley to have A-list actors like Bruce Willis and Rob Lowe spending time there.


In Massachusetts, film credits are supporting good jobs and bringing film business to the state’s industrial towns that can benefit from it. Everyone wins with the mutual benefits to both the community and filmmaker.

On May 19th the US Green Building Council released V.3, I think they are calling it LEED 2009.
I learned about this from Wendy Nicholas, Director of the Northeast Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. She also directed me to a posting on the National trust blog by Barbara A. Campagna, AIA LEED AP of Graham Gund Architects.
As a developer trying to do preservation redevelopment, I would like to think I am building in a sustainable and responsible fashion but have been frustrated that the emerging best standard for green buildings, the LEED standard, has not been attainable for preservation projects such as ours. We recently did an analysis of a 75,000 mill redevelopment effort and determined that the added cost of basic LEED certification was between $7.50 and $10.00/ sq ft. We could not conclude that there was any demonstrable benefit to income. Worse, we received an equal point score for re-using a building or having covered bike storage. Our buildings are usually 120+ year-old brick and timber mills in downtown settings.

Now, with added energy, “The Revitalist” is back from vacation and ready to go. With pleasure, we welcome five new editors who will bring great new insight to “The Revitalist”. Please check back weekly for updates.

The Revitalist is going to take a short break (just a few days), while I move to North Carolina – to return home and be closer to my family. I will be leaving AHF, about which I am very sad, but I plan to keep writing The Revitalist. AHF is working on some very exciting projects right now and is made up of wonderful people with whom it has been a pleasure working. I will miss being a part of this team, but I am looking forward to exciting new things on the horizon.

So stay tuned, I'll be back next week. 

Washington Mills had its Grand Opening and ribbon cutting today. A wonderful crowd of project team members, city and state officials, funders and Lawrence stakeholders came to celebrate with us. The building looked its best, and everyone was thrilled to see it finished. The speakers talked about how the project team overcame a lot of hurdles to be the first mill conversion in the Reviviendo Gateway and about how the building is a sign of the wonderful things to come for Lawrence. We are in complete agreement. Our team on this project have been a joy to work with and have delivered something that exceeds our expectations. We strongly believe that this is only the beginning of the good news for Lawrence. I'll post some pictures of the glad handing as soon as they come in. Thanks to all of you who joined us today.

Now, anyone know anybody who wants a spacious loft apartment? 

We are thrilled to report that Washington Mills has taken its first deposit on an apartment. Looks like they are going to be quite popular, so make an appointment today to see the model units and get one of your own.

The Revitalist is one year old today. Wow, that's hard to believe. I have been so enjoying the challenge of daily posting and exploring the web for new resources in the field that the time has just slipped by. I'm looking forward to the next year of posts and hope to be able to expand The Revitalist's horizons and readership.

Thanks for reading! 

– Elizabeth 

Our press release on the acquisition of 165 and 26 Jackson Street for the Hamilton Canal Lofts project has been picked up by the Boston Business Journal.

Lest you think we had forgotten Washington Mill Lofts, we most certainly haven't. Construction is just zipping along, and we are on target for a July opening! Our two model units will be opening in a few weeks (look for an update), and you are all invited to come see them.

In the meantime, here are a few of our favorite construction photos.

Taping drywall in one of the light-filled units.

Kitchen cabinets and counter top are set off by the accent color painted on core walls.

This one is my favorite.

This photo shows the dramatic double-height entry way in progress.

Aside from working with two beautiful buildings and the really great people in Lowell, the Hamilton Canal Lofts project is really exciting because of two investments the City is making right next to us.

The buildings are situated in Lowell's Jackson/Appleton/Middlesex (JAM) Urban Renewal Area, and to help spur the revitalization of this neighborhood on the edge of Lowell's hip downtown, the City is building a $22 million parking garage with 900 spaces. It just so happens that this garage is located right across the street from 165 Jackson, and our residents will have leased spaces in the garage. How's that for a happy coincidence?

Also, adjacent to the west of our site is the 15-acre Hamilton Canal District master developer site. The City issued an RFP for master developers and is currently considering its short list. The redevelopment of this big chunk of land (some rehab, some new construction) will really get this neighborhood moving and make a connection between the downtown and the train station. We are excited about the possibilities!