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BPDA Board approves new affordable housing in East Boston, Dorchester, Roxbury, and West Roxbury

Nov 16, 2023

Redevelopment of public land into housing moves forward in Charlestown and Roxbury

The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board of Directors Thursday approved eight new development projects representing approximately 872,332 square feet (SF). The new projects will create 656 residential units, 123 of which will be designated income-restricted, and will support approximately 871 construction jobs and 66 permanent jobs. These projects will make Boston a more resilient, affordable, and equitable city. 


Real Estate


Vacant parcels to be transformed into affordable housing in Roxbury, development team receives final designation 
 

The BPDA Board approved final designationof Windale Developers Inc. to develop 12 vacant BPDA-owned parcels into 23 new housing units in the Garrison-Trotter neighborhood of Roxbury, nearly 70 percent of which will be income-restricted. The proposal includes three single-family homes, eight townhomes, and two two-family homes. Of the 23 units, 16 will be income-restricted homeownership units, five will be market rate ownership, and two will be market rate rental units. The Garrison Trotter Neighborhood Association has been extensively involved throughout the land disposition process, including the determination to focus on affordable homeownership. Windale Design and Construction LLC is a certified MBE and Boston-based company located in the Garrison Trotter neighborhood that meets BPDA’s diversity, equity and inclusion requirements. The proposal includes a plan to promote diversity through engagement with local and minority subcontractors and aims to achieve construction employment that is 51 percent Boston residents, 40 percent persons of color, and 12 percent women. These goals are responsive to the BPDA’s diversity, equity, and inclusion criteria.


Austin Street Parking lots to be redeveloped into affordable housing in Charlestown, development team receives tentative designation 


The BPDA Board approved the tentative designation of Trinity Financial to redevelop the Austin Street Parking Lots in Charlestown. The proposal by Trinity Financial would convert the parking lots, which are currently being used for parking for Bunker Hill Community College, into much needed housing and retail space. The property is intended to deliver on the goals of PLAN: Charlestown and deliver public land for public good, such as mixed-income housing and community gathering space. There are four buildings in this proposal, the development of which will happen in two phases and be subject to the Article 80 process. In total, there are 392 rental units, 246 of which will be income-restricted, and 294 homeownership units, 166 of which will be income-restricted. The project will include retail options in these buildings, such as a cafe or restaurant, a bookstore, or local business. The project team has also been in discussions with Charlestown Nursery for the possibility of expanding their daycare services to this new location. In addition, this proposal includes new sports fields, public green space, and arts and culture space. Like all BPDA-owned parcels in the City of Boston, the development team will be required to meet the BPDA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion evaluation criteria, and outline commitments to including Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBEs) in all aspects of their development process.

BPDA approves facilitation of Charlestown Peace Park improvements

The BPDA Board approved the purchase of a portion of the parcel between Lowney Way, Mt. Vernon Street, and Prospect Street in Charlestown, also known as the Charlestown Peace Park, to support new investments in this public space. In March 2021, the City of Boston awarded the Charlestown Coalition, in conjunction with the Charlestown Preservation Society, a Community Preservation Award of $500,000 as an opportunity to fully design and build a renovated park to bring infrastructural improvements, new park furniture, and new plantings to the Peace Park. The parcel is currently owned by MassDOT, but faced constraints around types of construction that can occur on MassDOT property, so the BPDA acquired the land to facilitate this project, with the ultimate goal of transferring the land to the Boston Parks and Recreation Department once construction is complete. The Capital Construction team within the BPDA’s Real Estate Department will oversee all aspects of construction in order to deliver a finished site to the Parks Department.
 


Development Projects


Project at 29 High Street will bring 31 homeownership units to Dorchester


Live: 31 homeownership units, five income-restricted
Work: About 40 construction jobs
Connect: 17,000 square feet of open space
Sustain: EV charging stations, LEED Gold

Located in Dorchester, this project will build a new three-story building with 31 homeownership units, five of which will be income-restricted. The development will be a transit-oriented , as it is in close proximity to public transportation. It will also include space for bike parking. In support of the City’s bikeshare program, this project will contribute $8,525 to the Boston Transportation Department. In support of open space, the project will also contribute $31,000 to the Boston Parks and Recreation Department for maintenance of nearby parks.

 

88 Geneva Avenue project to bring 36 homeownership units with green roof to Dorchester


Live: 36 homeownership units, six income-restricted
Work: Approximately 50 construction jobs
Connect: Close proximity to public transportation
Sustain: Green roof, additional green space along the sidewalk 

This project will build 36 new homeownership units on what is currently vacant land in Dorchester. These will be a mix of one, two, and three-bedroom units. Public realm improvements from this project will include wider sidewalks, as well as new street trees. This project will support the Grove Hall community with a $100,000 contribution for programming, internships, educational opportunities, and activities for area residents, to be administered by non-profit organizations and institutions that serve the community. In support of the City’s bikeshare system, the project will also contribute $10,074. 
 

1188 Bennington Street project to create new homes and retail space in East Boston


Live: 40 housing units, seven income-restricted 
Work: About 50 construction jobs, four permanent jobs, two commercial retail spaces 
Connect: Close proximity to public transit
Sustain: More than 4,000 square feet of open space, 2050 zero-net carbon

Located in East Boston, this project will build two five-story, mixed use buildings containing housing and retail. Of the 40 residential units, seven will be income-restricted. The project will contribute new publicly accessible open space, and needed public realm improvements that include rightsizing the intersection of Bennington Street, Leyden Street, and Walley Street as envisioned in PLAN: East Boston. These two buildings will also market their retail space to local residents looking to establish their small businesses. The project will contribute $10,000 to Belle Isle Marsh or other parks in the neighborhood in support of open space

24-34 Notre Dame Street project will build 26 homeownership units in Roxbury


Live: 26 homeownership units, four income-restricted 
Work: About 30 construction jobs, local construction contracts to be awarded
Connect: Community room and common roof deck, over 5,000 square feet of open space
Sustain: EV charging stations, LEED Gold

Located in Roxbury, this project will build a new five-story building containing 26 new homeownership units, four of which will be income-restricted. As part of the community benefits for this project, the project will contribute $26,000 to the Boston Recreation Department’s City’s Fund for Parks in support of greenspace located in Roxbury, as well as $7,150 towards the City’s bikeshare program. Public realm improvements from this project will include improved sidewalks, and lighting and landscaping to improve the pedestrian experience.

Project at 1208C VFW Parkway in West Roxbury will contribute 55 new housing units to neighborhood


Live: 55 residential units, nine income-restricted units
Work: Approximately 60 construction jobs 
Connect: Pedestrian connection to Baker Street, courtyard open space, rooftop green space
Sustain: LEED Gold

A new five-story residential building will create 55 new homes in West Roxbury, nine of which will be income restricted. The unit mix will include one, two, and three-bedroom apartments. The project will also include bike parking for residents and visitors, as well as electric bike charging stations. As part of the mitigation for this project, the developer will build a new pedestrian connection to and from nearby Baker Street. In support of the City’s bikeshare system, the project will contribute $15,125 to the Boston Transportation Department. The project will also contribute $20,000 towards the Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s City’s Fund for Parks for the upkeep of Billings Field.

100 Charles Park Road project in West Roxbury will create two buildings with 121 residential units


Live: 121 residential units, 20 income-restricted units
Work: About 125 construction jobs
Connect: 19,000 usable open space, enhanced pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure
Sustain: LEED Gold, EV charging stations

What is currently a parking lot and vacant building will be turned into much needed housing in the West Roxbury neighborhood. Two five-story buildings will contain 121 residential units in total, including 20 income-restricted units. This project will include a number of public realm improvements such as new street trees, sidewalk improvements, and the redesign and
construction of the Charles Park Road, Rivermoor Street, and Gardner Street intersection. In support of open space, the project will contribute $100,000 to the Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s City’s Fund for Parks for maintenance at nearby Millennium Park. The project will also contribute $49,000 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the City’s bikeshare program, and will also provide a new Blubikes station on site.

150 Centre Street project will build 100 percent income-restricted housing near Shawmut MBTA Station


Live: 72 income-restricted units
Work: Easy access to Downtown, approximately 80 construction jobs
Connect: Close proximity to MBTA Red Line, streetscape and safety improvements
Sustain: EV charging stations, rooftop solar, LEED Gold, all electric building

Located across the street from the Shawmut MBTA station, this project will build a new four-story, 100 percent income-restricted building in Dorchester. This transit-oriented development will provide 72 income-restricted units, which will be a mix of studios, one, two, and three-bedroom units. This project will support city goals by providing higher-density housing near public transit. The project will also include public realm improvements, and a Bluebikes station on site.
 

Allston project at 175 North Harvard Street will build new home for American Repertory Theater, housing for Harvard students and staff


Live: 275 housing units for students and staff
Work: Space for the American Repertory Theater, more than 60 permanent jobs, approximately 430 construction jobs
Connect: Dedicated bike lanes, bike parking spaces, new Bluebikes station
Sustain: Will be carbon neutral by 2026, carbon free by 2050

Located on the Harvard University campus in Allston, this project, made possible by an amendment to the university’s Institutional Master Plan, will create new housing for Harvard graduate students, faculty, and staff within a new 13-story building, as well as a new Center for Performance and Creativity for the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.). Although located outside of the Western Avenue Corridor Rezoning (WACRZ) study area, the project is consistent with many of the goals of the plan, including: supporting the growth of housing in Allston, and encouraging the creation of new and preservation of existing spaces dedicated to arts and culture. The A.R.T. Center for Creativity and Performance will provide opportunities responsive to the needs and feedback of neighbors in Allston-Brighton, and expand arts programming offerings to the community. In support of open space, this project will include dozens of new street trees and improved landscaping throughout the development. In addition, the project will create a connection to Smith Field, and it will contribute $300,000 to the Boston Parks and Recreation Department for future improvements to the field. In support of the City’s bikeshare program, the project will fund a new Bluebikes station on site with a contribution of $173,376 to the Boston Transportation Department. The A.R.T. will also provide a number of benefits to the surrounding community including: public art programming, neighborhood focused events, discounted tickets to performances, and the expansion of the Learning Lab program to Brighton High School.
 

In addition to these projects, the board approved:

  • The renewal and extension of the Emerson College IMP.
  • The renewal and extension of the Boston College IMP.
  • The renewal and extension of the Tufts University Health Sciences Campus IMP.
  • The disbursement of grants totaling $180,000 across five arts and culture organizations identified through the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture’s Cultural Space Fund program, and drawing said disbursements from the Channel Center Project Fund.
  • The disbursement of grants totaling $274,825 across 2 community organizations, and drawing said disbursements from the Boston College Neighborhood Improvement Fund.
  • The disbursement of grants totaling $390,000 across 22 community organizations located in South Boston, and drawing said disbursements from fund contributions made by the Summer Street Hotel, Parcel K, 20 West Fifth Street, 200-204 Old Colony Avenue, and 765 Third Street projects.


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