News & Updates

BRA/EDIC Board modifies tentative designation for parcel in Roxbury to allow MassDOT to construct new transportation building

Dec 19, 2014

Also approves $79.5 million in projects that will add 178 residential units

Last night, the Board of Directors for the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) and Economic Development Industrial Corporation (EDIC) approved four development projects with a combined value of $79.5 million. Three of the projects will create 178 units of housing in Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, and Hyde Park. The Board also approved a 97-room expansion of the Bayside DoubleTree Hotel in Dorchester.

Of particular note at the meeting was the Board’s action to revise the tentative designation for Parcel P-3 in Roxbury so that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) can develop nearly one million square feet of space for a new state transportation building, the National Center for Afro-American Artists museum, and retail, entertainment, and educational uses. Since 2007, the parcel has been tentatively designated to Elma Lewis Partners, which later merged with FeldCo Development Corporation to form P-3 Partners, to develop the mixed-use Tremont Crossing project.

MassDOT is expected to construct approximately 800,000 square feet of office space and 21,000 square feet of space for the museum. The state agency will lease an additional 126,000 square feet of floor space to P-3 Partners for the retail and other uses. With several major development projects taking shape in that area of Roxbury, the BRA hopes that MassDOT will be a catalyst for jumpstarting construction at the site.

In addition to the development projects that are slated to move forward, the Board also approved the hiring of McKinsey & Company to conduct an independent evaluation of the BRA’s Planning Division. The firm was awarded a $420,000 contract for consultant services to complete an end-to-end review of the division’s activities, processes, and procedures, as recommended by KPMG’s audit of the BRA earlier this year. Charged with a wide scope of work, McKinsey will analyze the performance, transparency, and efficiency of the BRA’s planning functions beginning in January, with the goal of completing the review and issuing recommendations by the spring.

Below is a summary of the development projects approved at last night’s meeting.

The Community Builders, Inc. and development partner will construct 124 units of housing, ground floor retail, and new green space in Jamaica Plain

Total Project Cost: $40,000,000
Total SF: 193,310
Construction Jobs: 121

Developer JP Parcel U, LLC and The Community Builders, Inc. are partnering on a three phase project to bring 124 residential units, over 1,600 square feet of ground floor retail, approximately 1,000 square feet of community space, and three new pocket parks to Parcel U in Jamaica Plain. Phase A and B consist of 48 condominium units spread across 24 energy efficient townhouses. Phase C, which will be developed and managed by The Community Builders, will consist of a mid-rise multifamily mixed-use residential building with 76 rental units. At total build out, the project will result in approximately 193,310 square feet of development, including parking and utilities.

Construction of Phase A is expected to begin in the spring of 2015 and be completed by the summer of 2016. Phase B is currently scheduled to begin in spring 2016, with completion anticipated in summer 2017. Phase C will not begin construction until spring 2017 in order to allow the development team to secure public funding for the affordable housing component. The project will ultimately include 38 affordable rental units and six affordable homeownership units.

The project will revitalize a former MBTA site. Conservation Services Group is the LEED sustainability consultant.

Bayside DoubleTree Hotel in Dorchester set to expand with 97 additional rooms

Total Project Cost: $28,000,000
Total SF: 68,500
Construction Jobs: 85

Located a quarter mile away from the MBTA’s JFK/UMass Station, the Bayside DoubleTree Hotel received approval to construct a 68,500 square foot addition with 97 new rooms. The six-story, L-shaped add-on will be built on the northeast side of the hotel on a surface parking lot. When the project is complete, the hotel will have a total of 294 rooms. The addition includes new conference and meeting space, a 4,000 square foot dividable ballroom, a restaurant and a bar, and meeting rooms.

The corner of Mount Vernon Street and the Mount Vernon Street extension will be landscaped to add new green space, an eight-foot wide paved pathway, and plantings to soften the 16,000 square foot area. The expansion will also provide 50 new bicycle parking spaces.

By creating new commercial and public space, the project will contribute to the continued revitalization of Columbia Point. The developer, Corcoran Jennison Companies, expects to begin the renovations in 2015 and finish them by March 2017.

New housing and a restaurant in store for Neponset Avenue in Dorchester

Total Project Cost: $5,500,000
Total SF: 31,565
Construction Jobs: 17

A new development with 22 units of housing and a 250-seat restaurant approved at last night’s meeting is poised to transform a block in Dorchester that fronts Minot Street and busy Neponset Avenue. The project, with a 26,065 square foot residential component and 5,500 square feet of restaurant space, will revitalize and expand upon an existing structure at 367 Neponset Avenue. The development team cited a goal of activating that corner of the neighborhood, which doesn’t currently have many amenities to serve residents in the evening hours, by creating a local dining option.

After hearing feedback from community members, the overall height of the project was reduced from four floors above the parking garage to three, and the residential façade was recessed so that the building fits in more naturally with the aesthetics of the surrounding area.

The project, which includes three affordable housing units to meet the city’s Inclusionary Development Policy requirements, was designed by Sousa Design Architects. A timeline for construction has not yet been set.

Commercial building on River Street in Hyde Park to be rehabbed for condominium units

Total Project Cost: $6,000,000
Total SF: 40,686
Construction Jobs: 18

A two story commercial building at 1580 River Street in Hyde Park will be completely rehabilitated in order to create 32 condominium units, including four affordable units, along with on-site and off-street parking. To accommodate the new housing, a third story addition will be built above the existing structure. The project will contain an even split of one- and two-bedroom units.

The developer Anthony Ruscito expects construction to being in the spring of 2015. The project was designed by Roche-Christopher Architects.

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