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BPDA approves 940 new residential units, including 172 income-restricted, at October meeting

Oct 14, 2021

BOSTON - Thursday, October 14, 2021  - The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board of Directors this month approved nine new development projects and five updates to previously approved projects. The approved projects will create 940 residential units, 172 of which will be designated income-restricted. The approved new development projects represent 4.2 million square feet (SF) and will support 3,500 construction jobs and 6,636 direct jobs.

Newmarket BID moves forward
The BPDA Board has authorized a petition to the Boston City Council to establish a Business Improvement District (BID) in the neighborhood of Newmarket.  The Board also voted to deliver a grant of $160,000 from community benefits funds to the Newmarket Business Association to support the formation of the BID.  The Newmarket BID would be established with the goal of increasing area-wide safety and security, keeping streets, sidewalks and other areas in the public realm clean, improve traffic and transportation, provide support for business growth and vibrancy, and support marketing efforts of businesses in the neighborhood.  The BID has widespread support from Newmarket property owners and stakeholders and will be funded through annual fees paid by property owners within the BID boundaries.  The establishment of the BID aligns with the vision and mission of the ongoing PLAN: Newmarket planning initiative.

East Boston IPOD extended 
The BPDA Board voted to extend the East Boston Interim Planning Overlay District (IPOD) an additional year in order to allow the PLAN: East Boston initiative to finish its community process and deliver its recommendations.  Originally established in 2018, the East Boston IPOD was set up to provide the proper balance between competing land uses, economic, and environmental factors in the community while the PLAN: East Boston study surveyed community members and outlined the vision for the future of the neighborhood.

Development Projects

Nexus at the Innovation Corridor to bring state of the art research laboratory, affordable housing, new open space to Western Ave

Live: 26 percent of residential units of overall residential units will be income-restricted and located on-site
Work: 1,500 permanent jobs, new retail space committed for local retailers
Connect: Nexus Learning Lab focused on STEM education and job training for community
Sustain: All electric residential building, LEED silver certified and high performing envelopes 

In compliance with the BPDA’s Language Access Policy, the BPDA provided simultaneous interpretation and translation at this public hearing in Cantonese and Mandarin. 

Nexus at the Innovation Corridor will transform four acres of industrial and auto-related uses along 250-280 and 305 Western Avenue in Allston into a vibrant, mixed-use development with a state of the art research laboratory and new publicly accessible open space.  Approximately 26 percent of residential units will be income-restricted. In response to feedback received during the BPDA’s public process from the community and the Impact Advisory Group (IAG), the project has made several changes to the original proposal: 

Affordable Housing: Increased the amount of both income-restricted units and added three bedroom units to the original proposal. All three bedroom units will be income-restricted. 
Local Businesses: The project has committed to support local retailers throughout the project’s retail spaces. 
Workforce Development:  Nexus Learning Lab, a science laboratory and classroom space will host educational programs to teach local students and teachers about the life science industry and that will also host Workforce Seminars to inform the community about life science career and employment opportunities

The project will be spread out over three sites: 
 
250 Western Avenue: Research and office use, including ground floor retail, restaurant, entertainment, service and fitness uses. 
280 Western Avenue:  35 residential units with ground floor retail, restaurant, entertainment, service, fitness and community/civic uses. Open space uses including an approximately 12,000 square foot plaza (Artists’ Way) and an approximately 5,000 square foot landscaped area open to public use (Westford Green). 
305 Western Avenue:  265,000 square feet for research laboratory and office uses, including ground floor retail, restaurant, entertainment, service and fitness uses. 

The project will also create enhanced sidewalk and bike lane infrastructure improvements to support pedestrian and bike safety and connectivity; and will bring arts-oriented spaces for creation, display and performance. 


Mass General Hospital’s new state of the art Clinical Building  moves forward, will provide substantial community benefits

Work: 1,000 new jobs, new Cambridge Street retail space
Connect: 45,600 SF of new public space, including publically accessible roof gardens and plazas, 566 integrated bike parking spaces
Sustain: LEED Gold, 100 percent renewable electricity

A flagship Boston institution, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), will build a new state of the art clinical building along Cambridge Street in the West End.  The Clinical Building Project is essential for MGH to continue to meet its mission and objectives. MGH currently delivers advanced medical care in several facilities that are outdated and insufficient in current health care delivery.  This new project will total approximately 1,050,450 square feet, providing MGH with approximately 482 beds as well as space for clinical, ambulatory and support services for the hospital.  As part of the project, MGH will deliver numerous community benefits to the surrounding area including the addition of 45,600 square feet of new public spaces including publicly accessible roof gardens and plazas on the campus.  MGH will provide approximately $4 million in funding for the Cambridge Street corridor, including space for a MBTA headhouse for the proposed Red/Blue line connector. MGH has also committed to renovating the West End Senior and Community Center at 75 Blossom Court, providing $3.65 million in funding for the West End Museum, $2.5 million for the Old West Church, approximately $3 million for the Museum of African American History, $1.1 million for the Boston Preservation Alliance and additional funding for the Esplanade Association.  MGH will work with the BPDA to provide affordable housing for families, seniors, artists and others at 12 Garden Street in Beacon Hill.  The project will be designed and built with low carbon strategies and intends on using 100 percent renewable energy once constructed.  


220 Huntington Ave to replace Midtown Hotel with residential units, including 43 on-site income-restricted units 

Live:  325 new housing units, including 43 on-site income-restricted units at 70 percent AMI
Work: 15,500 square feet of retail space along Huntington Avenue, coworking space 
Connect:  Enhanced streetscape along Huntington Ave with wider sidewalks and continuous bike lane
Sustain:  50+ LEED points 

The approved project will replace existing buildings at 220 Huntington Avenue and 1 Cumberland Street with 325 units of transit-oriented housing, including 43 income-restricted units with AMIs below 70 percent. The approximately 10 story project will replace the Midtown Hotel and bring sidewalk, crosswalk, bicycle lane improvements at Huntington Avenue and Cumberland Street to enhance the pedestrian and biking experience. The project will contribute $75,000 to the Southwest Corridor Park Conservancy to enhance green space in the immediate St. Botolph neighborhood, and $25,000 to The Legacy Fund for Boston to support historic preservation efforts. 


Bartlett Station moves forward with the next component in its fifth phase bringing 44 additional income-restricted units to Roxbury and the Nubian Square District

Live: 44 income-restricted rental units to serve range of income-levels 
Work: 5 permanent jobs, 80 construction job as well as contracting opportunities for MBEs
Connect: Transit-oriented and pedestrian friendly 
Sustain: LEED Gold, 50.3 percent carbon emission reduction

In compliance with the BPDA’s Language Access Policy, the BPDA provided simultaneous interpretation and translation at this public hearing in Spanish. 

The fifth phase of the Bartlett Station continues the redevelopment of the former MBTA bus depot to create a mixed-use, 8.59 acre development at 2565 Washington Street in Roxbury. Building F5 (a component of the fifth phase of the overall development will be include the construction of  a five-story building with approximately 44 income-restricted units, consisting of a range of 1, 2, and 3 bedroom units providing affordable to households  at 30 to 80 percent Area Median Income (AMI).


Youth Enrichment Services to get a new headquarters along the Southwest Corridor as part of a project at 265-267 Amory Street in Jamaica Plain

Live: 9 condominium units, 1,600 youth served annually by Youth Enrichment Services
Work: 65 total construction and permanent jobs, new ski shop, free MBTA passes for youth and employees
Connect: New pathway through the Southwest Corridor, new crosswalk connection to the brewery complex and
Sustain: LEED Gold

Located within walking distance of the Stony Brook MBTA Station, a two-building project at 265-267 Amory Street will include the new headquarters for Youth Enrichment Services (YES), add nine units of housing, a ground floor ski-shop, and conference rooms.  The project conforms to PLAN: JP/Rox, an approved BPDA planning initiative in the corridor.  Other community benefits include a new pathway through the Southwest Corridor park, a new crosswalk connection towards the Samual Adams brewery across Amory Street as well as accessibility improvements to public walkways.


Doyle’s Cafe project in Jamaica Plain to give legendary bar a second life, and bring new homes for families  

Live: 29 new family-sized homes including 6 family-sized affordable units
Work: 2 new businesses, restoration of the Doyle’s Cafe, 55 permanent jobs
Connect: Restored “Kennedy Room” community room and new outdoor space on the Doyle’s Roof Deck, contribution to the City’s BlueBikes program
Sustain: LEED Gold, on-site water recharge

The Doyle’s Cafe in Jamaica Plain will be renovated, revived, and return with a new roof deck as part of a multi-parcel project that will house 29 families, including six affordable units.  An expanded storefront will also make space for an urban grocery market on the corner of Washington and Gartland Streets.  This project aligns with the vision of the BPDA’s approved planning initiative, PLAN: JP/Rox.


30 new units of housing to be built at 16 Taber Street in Roxbury 

Live: 30 total units, including 4 income-restricted units
Work: New retail space and 37 new jobs, 31 construction, 6 permanent retail jobs
Connect: 42 bike parking/storage spaces
Sustain: LEED Silver, 7 new street trees, and rooftop solar panels

This new six-story building at 16 Taber Street in Roxbury will create 30 new units of housing including four income-restricted units, along with a new ground floor retail space.  As part of the community benefits package associated with the project, the proponent will provide $35,000 to the Justice Edward O. Gourdin Veterans Memorial Park Fund in support of the care and operations of the park, and approximately $9,000 in funding towards the City’s BlueBikes program.


New modern industrial development at 55-115 Hampden Street aligns with PLAN: Newmarket vision and adds new jobs, public art to neighborhood 

Work: 150-200 construction jobs, 37 permanent full time job opportunities
Connect: 1,500 SF community mural, new BlueBike station, new bicycle racks
Sustain: LEED Certifiable, 25 percent of parking spaces will have EV Charging capabilities

Located between Roxbury and the South End, a new modern industrial building in Newmarket will bring additional jobs and economic opportunities to the neighborhood.  The project proponent, F.W. Webb, worked closely with the PLAN: Newmarket team to align the project with the vision of BPDA’s ongoing PLAN: Newmarket planning initiative.  Along with the creation of a modern industrial site, the project will also incorporate a 1,500 SF public art mural, which has been advocated for by community members and BPDA planners.


819 Beacon will bring new affordable housing, including housing for Boston Children’s Hospital  patient-families, to Fenway

Live: 393 rental units, including 59 on-site affordable units, and 53 institutional patient-family housing units.
Work: 450 construction jobs.
Connect: 5,000 SF public park, new 2-way cycle track, $108,000 contributed to the City’s bike share program, $100,000 contributed to Fenway neighborhood transportation improvements
Sustain: LEED Gold

The project at 819 Beacon Street in the Fenway neighborhood will create 393 residential rental housing units, including 59 on-site affordable units, and 53 institutional patient-family housing units in partnership with Boston Children’s Hospital. The project also includes a 1,600 SF retail space on the corner of Beacon Street and Maitland Street. 

The construction of this project will allow Boston Children’s Hospital to offer a unique patient-family housing program which provides need-based and convenient lodging accommodations for up to 53 families with children receiving medical care.


In addition to the new projects, the BPDA Board approved five updates to previously approved projects: 
  • Landmark Center Phase III, Fenway: Phase III of the Landmark Center Project located at 401 Park Avenue will construct a net zero 550,000 SF life sciences, research, and office facility with an approximately 50,000 SF grocery store at the ground level. The project will convert a surface parking lot to publicly accessible open space and contribute $2 million to local transportation improvements, complete the multi-use path from Brookline Avenue to Fullerton Street, and provide funding to support workforce development in the life sciences industry. In compliance with the BPDA’s Language Access Policy, the BPDA provided simultaneous interpretation and translation at this public hearing in Cantonese and Mandarin. 
  • Alexandra Hotel: The former Alexandra Hotel, located on the corner of Washington Street and Massachusetts Avenue received approval to construct 79 homeownership units, including ten income-restricted units. The project is the first to comply with the BPDA’s recently approved  Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) requirements and will take several steps to support fair housing practices including, constructing all IDP units on-site, increasing the number of two bedroom units and units accessible to persons with disabilities, and provide a preference for first generation homebuyers. 
  • 100 Hood Park Drive, Charlestown: The recently constructed 100 Hood Park Drive will add a new 154,700 SF addition totaling 12 stories and consisting of  parking, entertainment, restaurant, retail, lobby and service space.
  • 282 Bremen Street, East Boston: Following denial of the originally approved project by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) the project has reduced the unit count and updated the mix of affordable units.
  • 154 Terrace Street: Located between the Jackson Square and Roxbury Crossing MBTA stations, a development at 154 Terrace Street will create 66 new homeownership units.  The project will contribute $1.29 million towards affordable housing through the City’s Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP), $112,500 towards the City’s Mission Hill Transportation Planning project, and build a new pocket park along Terrace Street.

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