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Over 250 income-restricted housing units move forward at BPDA November Board

Nov 15, 2019

The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board of Directors approved development projects in neighborhoods across the City of Boston, which will result in new market-rate and income-restricted residential units, economic development, and jobs. Overall, the new development projects approved this month will create an additional 593 residential units, including 253 income-restricted units, and 493 trade jobs, 89 direct jobs and 263 indirect and induced jobs. The residential projects moving forward make progress towards Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s goal of increasing affordable housing to support a strong middle-class. 

Continuing efforts to better incorporate inclusive design and improve overall accessibility for development,  the BPDA Board approved updates to the Article 80 Accessibility Checklist. Developed with the City of Boston’s Disabilities Commission, this document provides a framework of best practices in accessibility for developers undergoing the Article 80 process.

Additionally, another round of recipients for the Boston College Neighborhood Improvement Fund moved forward at the November Board meeting. The BPDA Board approved the disbursement of approximately $227,845 from the Boston College Neighborhood Improvement Fund (NIF) to four organizations seeking to provide broad public benefit to the Allston-Brighton neighborhood: Brighton Gateway Project, Artists for Humanity, Allston Village Main Streets and Gardner Pilot Academy. The Boston College NIF was created as part of Boston College’s Institutional Master Plan. 
 
Development Projects

Building on Mayor Walsh’s commitment to end chronic homelessness, BPDA Board approves Pine Street Inn and The Community Builder’s proposal for 3368 Washington Street in Jamaica Plain 

Live: 202 income-restricted units, including 140 units designated as supportive housing for individuals served by Pine Street Inn
Work: 51 permanent job opportunities, 43 of which will be Pine Street Inn jobs
Connect: Newly-approved 100% affordable housing project makes progress towards Mayor Walsh’s commitment to end chronic homelessness in Boston

The newly-approved 3368 Washington Street, located in Jamaica Plain, will construct the City’s largest supportive housing development. The project will demolish the existing structure, owned by Pine Street Inn, that houses operations and administrative offices, but no shelter beds or housing units. The offices will be temporarily relocated during construction. 

The new five-story, mixed use building will contain approximately 202 income-restricted units. Of these, 140 units are designated as supportive housing for individuals receiving services from Pine Street Inn. The remaining 62 units will be available to low- and moderate-income households with a range of incomes. 

The services will be funded by Boston’s Way Home Fund, launched by Mayor Walsh in January 2018. Additionally, the project is consistent with the community goals outlined in the BPDA’s PLAN: JP/Rox approved in 2017. 

Allston Square moves forward, creating 344 residential units with a mix of home-ownership and rental units and artist/live work spaces

Live: 344 residential units, including 45 income-restricted units; mix of total units includes homeownership, rental and artist live/work
Work: More than 15,000 square feet of retail space with full-time retail employment
Connect: Approximately 9,1000 square feet of artwork, including murals, sculptures and exhibition spaces for the public

Located around the prominent intersection of Cambridge Street and Harvard Avenue, the newly-approved Allston Square project includes six different sites containing a total of 344 residential units 45 of which are income-restricted. There will be a mix of 244 are home-ownership, including 12 income-restricted artist live/work units, and 100 are rental units. 

To create a physical and visual connection, the project will create a series of open spaces between each of the six sites. The open space will incorporate artwork in both mural and sculptural forms, and local artists will help create interior and exterior exhibition spaces for the public.

There are several community benefits associated with the project, including funding for transit improvements, new trees, new artwork and dedicated art spaces, and the creation of bicycle parking storage/spaces for each proposed building.

99-105 Fairmount Avenue approval brings 47 housing units, 6 of which are income-restricted to Hyde Park

Live: 47 housing units, 6 of which are income-restricted
Work: Approximately $10M investment
Connect: $60K in community benefits, including funds for transportation infrastructure and parks

99-105 Fairmount Avenue will construct a four-story mixed-use building in Hyde Park, containing 47 rental units, 6 of which are income-restricted. The project will also have two commercial retail spaces, 33 garage parking spaces and 47 on-site bicycle parking spaces.

The project will provide many community benefits for the Hyde Park neighborhood and City of Boston, including funds for transportation infrastructure and improvements to Cleary and Logan Square. 

In addition to development projects, the Board also approved Notice of Project Changes (NPC) for the following projects:

270 Baker Street, West Roxbury

The newly-approved NPC creates 100% income-restricted rental units at 270 Baker Street. The previously approved project was 60 home-ownership units, 8 of which were income-restricted units. 270 Baker Street was first approved by the BPDA Board in September 2017.

Seaport Square Block N (350 Summer Street), South Boston Waterfront

In 2017, the BPDA Board approved a NPC for Seaport Square Block N that included approximately 72,000 square feet of retail/entertainment space and 350,000 square feet of residential space. The 2019 NPC today approved by the BPDA Board will revise Block N’s programming to include approximately 38,000 square feet of retail/entertainment space and 384,000 square feet of office and/or research and development uses.

There are several new public benefits associated with the 2019 NPC, including an increased and accelerated payment to fund the Seaport Performing Arts Center (SeaPAC). 

115 Winthrop Square, Downtown

The BPDA Board approved 115 Winthrop Square in May 2018, and the project has continued to evolve as a result of Article 80 Design Review, abutter conversations and community input. The approved 2019 NPC reduces the amount of gross square feet, residential units and parking and increases the amount of office gross square feet. 

The approximately 40,000 square feet of publicly accessible space has not changed. The Great Hall remains at 40 feet wide by 60 feet tall. 

350 Boylston Street, Back Bay

The proposed project at 350 Boylston Street was first approved by the BPDA Board in 2008. The nine-story development includes ground-floor retail and restaurant space and eight floors of office space. As part of the recently approved NPC, the proponent may consider retail or restaurant space on the second floor of the project. 

Mitigation and community benefits associated with the project include public realm and streetscape improvements, funding for neighborhood improvements, a contribution to the City’s Neighborhood Housing Trust and Neighborhood Jobs Trust.
 

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