CHATHAM – For decades young people would flock to Chatham, work a summer job, and stay in one of the numerous dormitories or rooming houses.
However, over the years those affordable accommodations have gone by the wayside. Now, one property owner is looking to bring back seasonal housing in a prime location.
The Chatham Zoning Board of Appeals recently granted a special permit for Ronald Rudnick, to move forward with a project to build an 18-bed dormitory on the lower level of the Colonial Building, along the town’s Main Street.
The space, which faces the parking lot adjacent to the Chatham Orpheum Theater, has recently been used for storage, and now Rudnick feels the space should be utilized for housing for the town’s influx of seasonal help.
“It’s going to be more attractive when the work is completed than it is today,” said project attorney William Riley. “I think that you could find that this will represent an improvement in this neighborhood and be helpful to all our local businesses.”
The plan calls for the space to be converted into nine bedrooms, with two beds apiece, as well as a bathroom. Additionally there will be a common area and kitchen.