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Woolworth Building now accepting applications

Julia Botero
Renovations will continue until tenants move in mid-January.

The historic Woolworth Building in downtown Watertown is accepting applications for tenants. After years of talks and renovations, work to transform this architectural landmark from an eyesore to an asset is coming to a close. The apartment building will be ready for tenants to move in by mid-January. 

The Woolworth Building apartments will fill a deep need in the Watertown community - affordable housing for people who need it most. The apartments are spacious, clean and for those moving in this winter, totally new.

"It's giving them the opportunity to have something nice to start with rather than coming into and not knowing how old the apartment is, how many people have been there. They are starting brand new, fresh," says Kelly Rutters, who is processing applications to live in the Woolworth.

She says demand has been high. In her first week on the job, she received more applications than there's space. Fifty apartments are open, 35 are for single people who make between $20,000 and $24,000 a year. She says those apartments are in demand. There are not very many in the city. 

"There is not enough for these income levels," Rutters said. "These two income levels are, you know, most places are full and they have waiting lists a mile long."

She says many applicants are seniors on social security or minimum wage workers in retail or the service industry. The building renovations  are  funded partly by a state program that supports low-income housing.