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BRA board approves $211 million in development projects at September meeting

Sep 16, 2016

New projects include mixed income housing for veterans, expanded office space

The Boston Redevelopment Authority’s board of directors approved seven new projects at last night’s meeting. In total, the projects represent a combined investment of $211 million and will generate over 400 construction jobs and 548 direct jobs after construction is complete.

Below are summaries of the newly approved projects. The full board agenda and archived video stream can be found here.
 
Mixed income housing for veterans gets green light in Brighton
Total Cost: $40,000,000
Total SF: 107,000 SF
Construction Jobs: 80
 
Brighton Marine Health Center, Inc. and WinnCompanies are prepared to move forward with the redevelopment of an approximately 1.5 acre site to bring mixed income housing for veterans to the Brighton Marine Health Center. The project, originally approved in 2014, has since undergone a number of changes, approved by the BRA board at last night’s meeting by way of a Notice of Project Change (NPC).
 
In response to community comments, the developer has modified the project to provide 11 three-bedroom units and 11 studios in lieu of 20 two-bedroom units and one one-bedroom unit. In total the NPC project will create 102 new units, up from the original 2014 proposal, and will provide 87 parking spaces.
 
In addition to the creation of housing, the project will create an off-site historical exhibit highlighting the social history of the project site by constructing a memorial to honor fallen heroes from the Allston-Brighton neighborhood.
                                                                                                                      
South End office expansion moves forward
Total Cost: $80,000,000
Total SF: 218,500
Construction Jobs: 158
 
The construction of a new, eight-story office building above an existing three-story parking garage is moving forward with the South End’s 321 Harrison Avenue project.
 
As part of the proposed office expansion, the existing parking garage will be reconfigured to include 240 parking spaces for use by tenants, employees and visitors, with up to 50 parking spaces being designated for public use. The existing loading dock area at 1000 Washington Street will be pulled back from Harrison Avenue and reconstructed to provide additional pedestrian areas on the corner of Harrison Avenue and Mullins Way. The loading dock will also be reconfigured to create a public plaza, bringing life to the corner of Harrison Avenue and Mullins Way.
 
Once complete, it is estimated that the 321 Harrison office expansion will yield 620 direct jobs.
 
Charlestown development to bring over 150 residential units, commercial space
Total Cost: $52,000,000
Total SF: 141,000
Construction Jobs: 105
 
The 32 Cambridge Street project, located in Charlestown and adjacent to the Sullivan Square MBTA station, will include the leveling of the Henry Sawyer Building, renovation of the existing Graphic Arts Finishers Building and construction of a new building at 572 Rutherford Avenue.
 
The Graphic Arts Finishers building will be renovated to include three stories of loft-style residential units, with nine studios, 31 one-bedroom lofts and an additional six units. The site will also include 2,500 square feet of retail, restaurant, or other commercial space on its ground floor, along with 16 parking spaces. At the new 572 Rutherford Avenue building, there will be a mix of unit types, including studios, one and one-plus bedrooms, two- and three-bedrooms, as well as 97 parking spaces.
 
Overall, as proposed, the project will be generate 171 residential units, 2,500 square feet of ground-floor commercial space, 113 accessory parking spaces, and supporting amenities and site improvements.
 
New residential units, commercial space approved for 46 Wareham
Total Cost: $16,000,000
Total SF: 64,500
Construction Jobs: 50
 
The 46 Wareham project in the South End, originally approved in 2015, continues to move forward by way of the BRA board’s approval of the project’s Notice of Project Change (NPC).
 
The proposed changes to the project site, currently occupied by a vacant, four-story warehouse building, include a six-story, mixed-use building with three levels of commercial space and 18 homeownership residential units. Of the 18 units, two will be designated as artist live/work spaces.
 
Mixed-use building slated for South Boston’s West First Street
Total Cost: $4,000,000
Total SF: 23,000
Construction Jobs: 17
 
A site used to store industrial vehicles and construction equipment for many years is slated for updates. Located five blocks from West Broadway and 12 blocks southeast of the Broadway MBTA Red Line, the 377 West First Street project proposes a five-story, mixed-use building, set to include nine market rate condominium units and a 361 square foot professional office space.
 
In addition, there will be 15 parking spaces, storage, trash and recycling for the building, which will feature a mix of six two-bedroom units and three three-bedroom units.
 
The developer plans to begin construction in early 2017.
 
Updates to come for Boston College’s Brighton Athletic Fields
Total Cost: $22,000,000
Total SF: 27,300
Construction Jobs: 24
 
The Trustees of Boston College have proposed to redevelop approximately 14-acres of the Brighton Campus of Boston College. The project site, known as the Brighton Athletic Fields, will include newly constructed baseball and softball fields, a recreation field, and a small support building.
 
The baseball field will include fixed seating for 1,000 spectators and the softball field will accommodate 300 spectators. A 3,000-square-foot support building will house men’s and women’s restrooms, a concessions storage room, a first aid room, and a ticket room to accommodate ticket sales if they are included in future programming.
 
Dual-phase Packard Crossing project will yield over a hundred residential units
Total Cost: $45,000,000
Total SF: 147,438
Construction Jobs: 110
 
The Packard Crossing project, located near the Hamilton Company’s longtime Brighton Avenue headquarters, sits equal distance from Boston University and the New Balance complex.
 
The phased project will include the construction of two new buildings. Phase one will yield a four-story courtyard style apartment building on Gardner Street and phase two, a six-story apartment building on Brighton Avenue. In total the Packard Crossing development will include 114 rental units, of which 15 are designated affordable, and 147,438 square feet of development.
 
A comprehensive landscape master plan for the project includes new streetscape improvements, pathways open to the public, and landscaped courtyards and terraces to be enjoyed by all of the area’s residents.


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