Mayor Richard S. Caligiuri and Resurrection Pastor Father John McMahon say a few words before taking up the ceremonial shovels at the 1981 groundbreaking for the new Parkside Manor senior citizen highrise apartments in East Brookline. A coalition of six local churches, in cooperation with H.U.D., combined resources to develop the $3,700,000 complex.

Located at the corner of Breining Street and Brookline Boulevard, this was a large step towards affordable senior housing in Brookline. Mazza Pavilion, located on Brookline Boulevard followed in 1982. The Parkside Manor building replaced the East Brookline Shopping Center, home of Manco's Pharmacy (once Liepack's), Open Pantry Market and Big Bundle Coin-Op Laundomat. The small shopping center had been a mainstay for many decades.

The District 4 Councilman delivers a short speech prior to the groundbreaking. To the right is the Big Bundle Coin-Op Laundomat. When it opened in the early 1950s, the self-serve laudramat was touted as the greatest thing since the advent of the dryer. I remember going in there as a teenager, after a long day in the snow or rain, to dry my jacket for a quarter. By 1981, the once-popular business had been closed for several years a recent fire had rendered it unusable.

Mayor Richard Caligiuri and other dignitaries scoop up the first clumps of dirt that will transform the area into a modern apartment complex. Mayor Caligiuri was instrumental in many Brookline projects in the late 70's and early 80's, including the renovation of Brookline Park, located next to the Parkside site.

In the photo below, left to right, Father McMahon of Resurrection Parish, Father Marpes of St. Pius X Parish, Pastor Ed Naumann of St. Mark Church and other local clergymen take their turn with the shovels.