BPDA approves new affordable housing in Dorchester, Jamaica Plain

May 11, 2023

PLAN: Mattapan wins approval

The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board of Directors this month approved two new development projects representing 201,000 square feet (SF). The new projects will create 181 residential units, 118 of which, or 65 percent will be designated income-restricted, and will support approximately 182 construction jobs and 63 permanent jobs. These projects will make Boston a more resilient, affordable, and equitable city.

Planning and Zoning

BPDA Board approves PLAN: Mattapan

The BPDA Board of Directors adopted the final PLAN: Mattapan planning initiative at their monthly board meeting. The adoption of the Plan comes nearly five years after the initiative began in October 2018. The plan proposes recommendations that lay the groundwork for an affordable, equitable, and resilient Mattapan: the allowance of backyard Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs), mobility improvements and mixed-use zoning that will cultivate a 10-minute neighborhood, transit improvements, and promoting investment in Mattapan Square and opportunities to strengthen local businesses.

Read more here.

BPDA Board approves contract for the Harvard Enterprise Research Campus District and Greenway Plan

The BPDA Board approved a contract with W X Y Architecture & Urban Design to design a comprehensive regulatory master plan for the 22 acres of the Harvard ERC outside of the 14 acres within Phase A and Phase B of the proposed project. As part of the mitigation and community benefits package for the Harvard ERC Phase A, that was approved by the BPDA Board on July 14, 2022, Harvard committed to fund this planning study. The Plan will be used by the BPDA and its partner agencies to determine the future land use plan for the ERC, guide review of future PDA phases, inform mitigation, refine the character and programming of the greenway, and coordinate with other neighborhood planning efforts.

Development Projects

Project at 900 Morrissey Boulevard will create new supportive housing in Dorchester

Live: 99 studios, 100 percent income-restricted
Work: Approximately 47 construction jobs, 13 permanent positions in property management and resident services
Connect: Shuttle to public transportation, improving sidewalk conditions

This project will redevelop what is currently a hotel into supportive housing for formerly homeless individuals. The building will contain 99 compact studio units. Through a collaboration with the Pine Street Inn, “wrap around” social services will be available including on-site case managers, social activities, access to job training services, and other social service supports. Senior citizens 62 years of age and older will get preference for this housing. The project is consistent with the City of Boston’s goal of providing affordable housing for Bostonians, supporting mixed-income communities, and increasing access to opportunity through the project’s supportive services. BPDA Planning staff worked with the project to significantly improve the streetscape, pedestrian experience, and open space on site. The project will also support a shuttle for residents to public transportation.

New mixed use development at 3390 Washington Street will build housing, commercial, and restaurant space

Live: 82 residential units, 19 income-restricted units
Work: Commercial space, restaurant space, retail space, approximately 50 permanent jobs, approximately 135 construction jobs
Connect: Bicycle parking, new Bluebikes dock, new mid-block pedestrian crosswalk, new pedestrian paths
Sustain: LEED Gold, all electric systems for residential portion of project

Located in Jamaica Plain, this project involves two buildings that will contain the existing business – BMS Paper & Market – 82 housing units, residential amenities, and a new restaurant. The units are a mix of studio, one, two, and three-bedroom units. Of those 82 units, 23 percent will be income-restricted. The event room within the restaurant will also be available for the public to use for community meetings for free. This project will be a transit-oriented development, as it is in close proximity to the Green Street and Forest Hills MBTA stops, and has bike lanes nearby. The project will also provide much needed sidewalk and streetscape improvements on Washington Street, including a midblock crosswalk with curb extensions on both sides of the street. As part of the community benefits, the project will contribute $49,000 toward the City’s bikeshare program, and space will be provided for at least one 15-bike docking station on site.

In addition to these projects, the Board approved:

• An update to a previously approved project at 4–18 Cheney Street in Dorchester for a reduction in the total unit count.
• An update to a previously approved project at 375 Cummins Highway for a reduction in parking spaces.
• An update to a previously approved project at 88 Black Falcon Avenue to split construction and renovations of the project into two phases.
• An update to a previously approved project at 2 H Street to add new income-restricted units.
• The disbursement of $100,000 to eight community organizations in the Fenway neighborhood as part of the Fenway Park Demonstration Project Community Benefits.