News & Updates

Board approves $292 million in new developments at September 18 meeting

Sep 19, 2014

Citywide Energy Study and planning for updated Marine Industrial Park Master Plan also set to move forward

BOSTON – The Board of Directors for the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) and Economic Development Industrial Corporation (EDIC) approved four proposed projects and two important studies that will help inform future development in the Boston Marine Industrial Park and energy planning in the city at last night’s meeting. The four projects represent a combined $292 million of investment and almost 500,000 square feet of new construction that will put nearly 900 tradespeople to work and result in an additional 760 permanent jobs. The Board approved housing projects in Hyde Park, South Boston, and Mission Hill that will create 130 units for a mix of income levels.
The meeting was the first for new board member Ted Landsmark, President Emeritus of the Boston Architectural College and Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s first appointment to the BRA/EDIC Board.

Transit oriented development at Parcel 25 will introduce new residential, retail, office, and community space on former MBTA lots

Total Project Cost: $138,000,000
Total SF: 305,750
Construction Jobs: 417
Parcel 25 in Mission Hill sits across the street from the MBTA’s Roxbury Crossing Station on currently vacant land that was previously owned by the transportation agency. The project, which has received widespread community support, including that of State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz and Representative Jeffrey Sanchez, is expected to be completed in three phases over five years.
Phase One, which involves the construction of two buildings that will front Tremont Street, consists of approximately 88,000 square feet and includes 40 residential apartment units, 10,000 square feet of retail space, 35,000 square feet of office space, and 1,250 square feet of community space. Phase Two will continue the residential development and create approximately 48 apartments in a five-story building. Approximately 161,000 square feet of office space with underground parking will be constructed in the final phase. Depending on when funding and potential tenants are secured, Phase Three could happen before Phase Two, or they could occur simultaneously.
Mission Hill Parcel 25, LLC, which is affiliated with Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services, is the developer. Goody Clancy is the project architect.

Residences at Fairmount Station will add LEED Silver mixed-income housing near Hyde Park’s Logan Square

Total Project Cost: $10,100,000
Total SF: 33,388
Construction Jobs: 31
The Residences at Fairmount Station are being developed in a partnership between Southwest Boston Community Development Corporation and Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, which have formed Logan Square, LLC. Located adjacent to the MBTA Fairmount Station, the project will create 27 units of housing, with 24 of those being affordable units and the three remaining ones being market rate units. Units range in size from studios to three-bedrooms. The development’s proximity to the commuter rail and numerous bus lines will give residents direct and easy access to downtown Boston.
A 6,000 square foot children’s play space and open green space along with dedicated bike parking are a few of the projects unique features. The building will have a contemporary design with metal and cement panels, and its sustainability features are designed to meet LEED Silver standards.
The Narrow Gate is the architect for the project, which is expected to begin construction in 2017.

Boston University gains approval for Center for Integrated Life Sciences and Engineering (CILSE) building

Total Project Cost: $140,000,000
Total SF: 136,200
Construction Jobs: 423
Boston University received approval to take the next step in expanding its Charles River Campus. What is currently a surface parking lot at 610 Commonwealth Avenue just outside of Kenmore Square will be transformed into the cutting edge Center for Integrated Life Sciences and Engineering (CILSE). The nine-story complex will primarily house research facilities for systems neuroscience, synthetic biology, and cognitive neuroimaging. Approximately 160 researchers, postdoctoral students, and staff along with 270 graduate students are expected to work out of the facility once it is completed.
The project is part of the BU’s 2013-2023 Institutional Master Plan. The school hopes that the facility will help attract world-class faculty and secure new research funding to increase opportunities for graduate students. It is expected to generate approximately $27 million per year in grant activity.
Designed by Payette, CILSE will include a new “pocket park” that will serve as a link to the adjacent Morse Auditorium and as an area for students, faculty, and visitors to gather.

Small housing project in South Boston slated for 135 Athens Street

Total Project Cost: $4,110,000
Total SF: 22,200
Construction Jobs: 12
RMC Development received approval to construct a three- to four-story 15-unit residential condominium building at 135 Athens Street in the Saint Vincent’s area of South Boston. The building, made up of nine one-bedroom and six two-bedroom units, will include two affordable units on-site.
As envisioned by Sutphin Architects, the building has a modern design that integrates brick, stone, and siding. On-site parking has been incorporated so as not to increase the strain on street parking.
A larger mixed-use condominium and commercial building located adjacent to the Athens Street project is expected to be developed in the near future. The two developers will work together to make improvements to the public way that will link the buildings and provide easier pedestrian access to Athens Street and West Broadway.

Utile, Inc selected to update master plan for Boston Marine Industrial Park

In June, the BRA issued a request for proposals to hire a consultant to work with agency staff and stakeholders in the Boston Marine Industrial Park (BMIP) to update the master plan for the area, which is part of the rapidly growing South Boston Waterfront. Four organizations submitted proposals in response to the solicitation, and a team of representatives from the BRA/EDIC and Massport has recommended Utile, Inc for the project.
The existing master plan for the 191-acre city-owned industrial park dates back to 2000. Since then the BMIP has changed dramatically as a result of new investments and increased development interests. North Coast Seafood and Legal Seafood have built new processing facilities. An emerging mix of life science, green tech and other research and development firms have found the park to be an ideal home. And the roads and infrastructure have undergone significant upgrades.
While the BMIP has witnessed major successes over the years, several vacant, underutilized, and undesignated parcels remain a challenge to its future potential. Deteriorating maritime infrastructure, increasing demand for commercial uses, and the growth of the nearby Innovation District further add to the need for an updated master plan.
Utile, Inc will analyze the changing conditions and help plot a course for the BMIP’s next decade. The firm’s budget will be kept to approximately $250,000 or less.

MIT to partner with BRA/EDIC and others to conduct Citywide Energy Study

The BRA/EDIC will lead an effort to map energy usage in the city, a project to be done in concert with the Mayor’s Office of Environment, Energy, and Open Space, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Of the five organizations that competed to partner with the city, MIT was chosen for its proven experience and commitment to producing a study that informs urban planning and policy. The Citywide Energy Study will help inform future sustainability initiatives and the development of clean energy solutions.

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