Mayor Menino Announces: New Projects Moving Forward
Feb 14, 2013
Approved projects create 1,400 new jobs and over $325 million investment in the City of Boston
East Boston: Hotel, Restaurant, and Retail Space Approved
Private Investment/Total Development Cost: $31.5M
Total SF: 112,830
Hotel: 102,525 SF, 177-keys Retail/Restaurant SF: 10,305
Construction Jobs: 200
Permanent & Part-Time Jobs: 69, 80
Contribution to Neighborhood Housing Trust: $100,972
Contribution to Neighborhood Jobs Trust: $20,143
Community Contributions: $25,000 for the Orient Heights Community Center, $25,000 for the improvements of Noyes Park, and $25,000 to the East Boston Greenway to be delivered to the BRA at the issuance of Certificate Occupancy.
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415 William F. McClellan Rendering[/caption] Over 6 acres of vacant land in East Boston was unanimously approved to become a hotel accompanied by over 10,000 SF of restaurant/retail space. The site, at the corner of William F. McClellan Highway and Boardman Street, will be redeveloped into a 112,830 SF mixed-use project with a 177-key hotel, 2 restaurants/retail buildings, 346 parking spaces, new sidewalks, street trees, planters, and lighting. The project will be developed in 2 phases. The 5-story, 102,525 SF hotel will be built first, followed by a 6,270 SF restaurant/retail building and a 4,035 SF restaurant/retail building both fronting Broadman Street. The development team includes MC-EB Realty, Marshall Properties, Bohler Engineering, BMA Architectural Group, GZA, Nutter McClennan & Fish, Suffolk Construction, Tech Environmental, and Vanasse & Associates, Inc. New Suffolk University Classroom Facility to Rise at 20 Somerset St
Private investment / Total project cost: $62 million
Total SF new construction: 112,000 gross SF
Jobs: 300 construction jobs
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20 Somerset St Rendering[/caption] The BRA Board unanimously approved Suffolk University’s plans to construct a new building for educational use at 20 Somerset St. The project will consolidate the university’s classrooms and move all of its existing academic seats out of the residential area of Beacon Hill. The $62 million project will replace a vacant government office building with a 112,000 square foot 10-story building, including two floors partially or fully underground. There will be four floors each of general-education and science classrooms of various sizes, providing 1,100 classroom seats. The building will also house student support services, a cafeteria and performance space, and an indoor lounge area. The project creates a new public space at Roemer Plaza. 20 Somerset Street will create more than 300 new jobs and is expected to open in summer 2015. Expansion Plans at East Boston’s Edward W. Brooke Charter School Approved
Private investment / Total project cost: $16.5 million
Total SF new construction: 13,100 SF
Jobs: 75-100 construction jobs
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Edward Brooke Charter School Rendering[/caption] The BRA Board unanimously approved expansion plans at the Edward W. Brooke Charter School at the corner of Byron and Bennington Streets in East Boston. The school will renovate the former Dom Savio High School and add a 3 story addition, replacing two residential structures at 617 Bennington and 619 Bennington Streets. Edward W. Brooke Charter School is a K-8 school. The move to Dom Savio and the new 13,100 square foot expansion will allow the school to house 475 students in its third Boston location. The project is anticipated to break ground in May 2013 creating 75-100 construction jobs. Occupancy is scheduled for July 2014. Nashua Street Residences Approved for North Station
Private Investment/Total Development Cost: $200M
Total SF: 636,551
Retail SF: 3,575
Residential units: 503 units, 27 affordable
Construction Jobs: 650
The 32-story Nashua Street Residences were unanimously approved by the BRA Board to bring 503 residential units and a 2-story public, retail arcade to the North Station area. The project site is bounded by Nashua Street, Partners Healthcare, North Station, and the Thomas P. O’Neill Federal Building. Units will include a mix of studios, one-bedrooms, two-bedrooms, and 32 three-bedroom units. The Residences will also include 219 parking spaces. [caption id="attachment_9938" align="alignright" width="150"]
Nashua Street Residences Rendering[/caption] Community Benefits will include:
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503 residential units, including 32 3-bedroom units
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27 affordable units
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$3,204,000 designated for off-site affordable housing
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2 story public retail arcade encouraging pedestrian circulation between Nashua Street and Causeway Street
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Pedestrian streetscape improvements to Nashua Street and Lomasney Way
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$300,000 in funding to Crossroads Initiative for improvements to Causeway Street
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$175,000 in funding to the West End Civic Association
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$25,000 in funding to Community Works
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$1,750,000 a year in real estate taxes
The development team includes AvalonBay Communities, CBT Architects, Exclusive Real Estate, and Goulston & Storrs. Charlestown Navy Yard: Starboard Place Approved
Private Investment/Total Development Cost: $16M
Total SF: 48,000
Residential units: 54, 11 affordable
Construction Jobs: 150
Starboard Place and its 54 residential units were unanimously approved by the BRA Board to transform a vacant parcel at 1st Avenue and 9th Street in the Charlestown Navy Yard. The 54 units will include 11 affordable ones. [caption id="attachment_9939" align="alignright" width="150"]
Starboard Place Rendering[/caption] The Navy Yard is a National Landmark, so Starboard Place has been designed to conform to Historic Monument Area design guidelines which are in agreement with the National Park Service, Massachusetts Historical Commission, Boston Landmarks Commission, and the BRA. The development team includes Kavanagh Advisory Group, BH+A Architects, and BDLWT&G. Downtown Crossing Momentum Continues The BRA Board unanimously approved the selection of Fleming Brothers, Inc through a competitive RFP process for reconstruction of the Bedford/Kingston Street triangular median. The construction firm was the lowest bidder out of six and will improve handicapped accessibility and beautify this key Downtown Crossing median. The BRA will enter into a $283,980 contract with the Quincy based firm. The project includes upgrades to the pedestrian ramp at the northwest corner of the intersection, a rebuilt and re-graded sidewalk informed by the American with Disabilities Act, reconstruction of the median planter, the installation of an ornamental steel fence, a plaque, etchings, and new shrubs and perennials. The median design was prepared by Fay, Spifford & Thorndike and also includes milling and overlaying the existing roadway, new City of Boston street lights, new street markings, and upgrades to pedestrian signals and signage. [caption id="attachment_9907" align="alignleft" width="614"]
Rendering of Improved Downtown Crossing Median[/caption]