164 Affordable Homes Planned in Drake Village Redevelopment
Arlington, MA · September 23, 2026
Apples and late-season greens are arriving at the Russell Common lot this afternoon. Plenty of time to dig into the harvest before the cloud deck settles in.
The Lead
A major transformation is taking shape for local senior housing. The Arlington Housing Authority has partnered with the Planning Office for Urban Affairs to redevelop Drake Village, the long-standing state public housing community off Drake Road.
The proposal would replace the site’s aging, maintenance-heavy cottage duplexes with a modern five-story building housing 164 one-bedroom affordable apartments for seniors and residents with disabilities. Crucially, the plan guarantees that all 72 existing households can transition into the new development at their current rent levels without displacement. In addition to doubling the site’s housing capacity amid severe regional shortages, the new design will introduce full elevator accessibility, expanded community spaces, and on-site supportive services. Town boards and neighborhood residents will get their first look at detailed architectural plans when formal hearings begin later this fall.
Local Pulse
Local Walkers Prep for Jimmy Fund Trek Community Twenty-two town residents will walk the Boston Marathon route next month to raise money for Dana-Farber cancer research.
Adaptive Trike Rentals Extended Through Month's End Parks Arlington Recreation has extended free recumbent trike rentals for path riders at the Reservoir through September 30.
Mass Ave Utility Work Prompts Travel Detours Roads Cambridge contractors are excavating test pits along Massachusetts Avenue towards Alewife Brook Parkway, causing weekday lane shifts.
Today's Outlook
- High 63°F · Low 47°F — Overcast
- Grab a light sweater for the afternoon chill under lingering cloud cover.
What's On Around Town
Today
Arlington Farmers' Market Russell Common Lot (29 Mystic St), 2:00–6:30 PM · Free Stock up on late-harvest produce, fresh pastries, and artisanal provisions.
Event Horizon 35mm Screening The Brattle Theatre (40 Brattle St), Cambridge, 4:45 PM · $13.50–17.50 Catch the cult 1997 sci-fi thriller projected in its original film format.
Start Where We Are Earth Music Festival Bow Market (1 Bow Market Way), Somerville, 6:00–10:00 PM · Free Enjoy live outdoor courtyard music paired with local food vendors.
Tomorrow
- Coffee & Conversation Holland Street Center (167 Holland St), Somerville, 10:30–11:45 AM · Free
- Stories of Hunger Awareness & Action Robbins Library (700 Massachusetts Ave), 6:30–8:00 PM · Free
- Violet Grohl Live Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre (55 Davis Sq), Somerville, 8:00 PM · Paid
Friday
- Zumba Gold for Older Adults Cambridge Public Library (449 Broadway), Cambridge, 11:30 AM–12:15 PM · Free
- Down in Davis: Dolly Parton Tribute Statue Park, Somerville, 5:00–7:00 PM · Free
- Somerville YMCA Music Bingo Somerville YMCA (101 Highland Ave), Somerville, 6:15–11:30 PM · Paid
Spotlight & Story
- Locke School
- Built in 1899 by architects Gay & Proctor after the original wooden schoolhouse was hauled off by rail, this Renaissance Revival building educated neighborhood children until 1984, when developers converted its brick classrooms into lofts with preserved slate chalkboards.
Arlington Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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