Officials celebrate the opening of New Bedford’s new housing development

December 10, 2024 9:24 pm

Cate Hanewich,

Thumbnail Eighteenunion — From left, Jeff Pineault, Jay Lanagan, Carl Taber, Rep. Chris Hendricks, Mayor Jon Mitchell, Sean Lafrance, Richard Lafrance, and Ward 6 City Councilor Ryan Pereira cut the ribbon on Eighteen & Union Tuesday morning. (courtesy: the City of New Bedford)

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — State and local officials celebrated the opening of a new housing development in Downtown New Bedford Tuesday morning.

The Eighteen & Union housing development created 28 new apartments through renovating unused and underutilized properties.

The new housing sits at the corner of Union Street and JFK Boulevard.

“Eighteen & Union is the latest example of the City successfully utilizing federal funds and other tools to spur the transformation of underutilized and vacant buildings into new housing units,” New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “This building will serve as the front porch of the Downtown, greeting residents and visitors crossing over from the waterfront.”

Included in the renovations is the revitalization of the wooden-framed building at 13-19 Commercial St. and the granite building at 21-35 Commercial St., which were both owned by Beckman Marine Supply until 2021.

Additionally, an old fisherman’s bar which has been vacant for over 10 years is in the process of becoming an upscale Mexican restaurant, which is expected to open in the spring of 2025.

New Bedford is also in the process of other new housing projects in Downtown, with two mixed commercial and residential buildings and two apartment buildings in various stages of development.