Welcome! ¡Bienvenido! Byenvini!
The Roslindale Square plan will determine a public investment and growth-focused vision for the area focused on the central commercial blocks and transit assets. It is one of the first plans being developed as part of Squares + Streets, a new planning and zoning initiative that will focus on housing, public space, arts and culture, small businesses, and transportation in neighborhood centers and along main streets.
About Squares + Streets
The BPDA in partnership with several City of Boston departments is launching a series of Squares + Streets plans. One of the initial four locations is Roslindale Square, a key commercial district in the Roslindale neighborhood. The people who live, work, shop, and visit this commercial area will have the opportunity to participate in the development of the Roslindale Square Plan.
To learn more about Squares + Streets please see the project homepage.
Roslindale Square Overview
Roslindale Square is a historic commercial area approximately 6 miles south of Downtown Boston in the heart of the Roslindale neighborhood. It retains many historic buildings and has a diverse mix of local restaurants, shops, and civic spaces such as the Roslindale Branch of the Boston Public Library and the Roslindale Substation. Adams Park, a .7-acre public park in the center of Roslindale Square, is an important anchor of community events, including the annual Roslindale Farmers Market.
This area is serviced by the Roslindale Village station as part of the MBTA Commuter Rail, as well as several MBTA bus routes. For more information see the:
Roslindale Square Plan
The focus of the Roslindale Square planning process will determine a public investment and growth-focused vision for the area focused on the central commercial blocks and transit assets. The planning process will:
- Focus on housing, small businesses, public space, cultural amenities, transit assets etc. that reflect the unique needs of this area.
- Develop Squares + Streets plans in 6–9 month timeframes.
Get Involved
The newly released Roslindale Square Squares + Streets Engagement Storymap is a continually updated resource that documents community feedback and themes, engagements hosted to-date, and provides a detailed engagement timeline for the entire 6-9 month planning process.
Upcoming Events
Office Hours
The Roslindale Squares + Streets planning team will be at The Substation (lower level office 2) every Wednesday, starting on March 13, from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM. After hour sessions will be held monthly on the 3rd Wednesday starting on March 20 from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM. Please sign up in advance for either virtual or in-person office hours!
- Wednesday, April 24
- Wednesday, May 1
- Wednesday, May 8
- Wednesday, May 15
- Wednesday, May 22
- Wednesday, May 29
Roslindale Square Squares + Streets Visioning Workshop | Register
Roslindale Community Center BCYF at 6 Cummins Highway, Roslindale, MA 02131
Monday, April 29 | 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
The BPDA is hosting an in-person visioning session to collaborate with the community on generating ideas for potential planning and zoning recommendations for the Roslindale Square Squares + Streets Plan. This session will include a summary of existing conditions analysis, feedback received to-date and community visions for different topic areas, as well as hands-on activities to contribute your ideas for potential recommendations.
Roslindale Square Squares + Streets Visioning Workshop | Register
Tuesday, May 7 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The BPDA is hosting a virtual visioning session to collaborate with the community on generating ideas for potential planning and zoning recommendations for the Roslindale Square Squares + Streets Plan. This session will include a summary of existing conditions analysis, feedback received to-date and community visions for different topic areas, as well as hands-on activities to contribute your ideas for potential recommendations.
Previous Events
Roslindale Square Squares + Streets - Zoning Workshop | Existing Commercial Zoning Guide | Presentation | Presentation (Spanish)
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 | 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The BPDA is leading a zoning workshop as part of the Squares + Streets planning and engagement process for Roslindale Square! At this workshop, community members were introduced to zoning as a tool that guides development and discussed zoning through a community development mindset. The workshop started with a walkthrough of how zoning works in Boston and focused on existing zoning regulations in Roslindale Square and proposed zoning in Squares + Streets zoning districts as context.
The second half of the workshop was interactive, facilitated activity to think about how proposals for community development projects would have to interact with existing zoning regulations in Roslindale Square. By the end of the workshop, community membersengaged in initial conversations about community development goals that will support future engagement conversations on how the mapping of Squares + Streets zoning districts can support those goals..
Translation services for Spanish will be provided.
Roslindale Square Cultural Assets, Transportation, and Public Realm 'Walkshop'
[In-person Adams Park, 4225 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02131]
Sunday, April 7 | 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
The BPDA is hosting a walking tour of the main commercial streets around Roslindale Square that will ask the community for input on a number of areas including transportation, buildings, arts & culture, and public realm. Participants of the walk will be able to share their perspective on the study area and offer ideas for improvements.
Roslindale S+S Engagement Report Out Meeting | Recording | Chat Log
Wednesday, April 3, 2024 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
At this virtual meeting - based on the newly released Roslindale Square Squares + Streets Engagement Storymap - staff reported out on engagement themes, reviewed the engagement timeline, and asked the community to respond to and refine the themes and community goals developed to-date.A presentation and live poll followed by a Q+A discussion.
To provide more feedback on the topics to be addressed at this meeting, community members can fill out 2 brief surveys by next Wednesday, April 10th. The Engagement Themes Survey will help us refine the community vision statements for the Roslindale Square Squares + Streets planning process. The Community and Cultural Assets Survey will help us understand the unique public realm, design, and cultural aspects of Roslindale Square.
Roslindale Square Squares + Streets Spanish Meeting | Presentation
[In-person: Menino Center, 125 Brookway Road, Roslindale. MA 02131]
Wednesday, March 27, 2024 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
La agencia de planificación y desarrollo de Boston organizará una reunión híbrida de Plazas + Calles en español para revisar los objetivos del proyecto, el cronograma del proceso de planificación y participación, y resaltar las oportunidades para participar. Se proporcionarán servicios de traducción para inglés y criollo haitiano. Se ofrecerán refrigerios ligeros y cuidado de niños por orden de llegada.
The BPDA will be hosting a hybrid Spanish language Squares + Streets meeting to review the project goals, the timeline of the planning and engagement process, and highlight opportunities to be involved.
Roslindale Square Housing and Small Business Visioning Workshop | Presentation
[In-Person: Roslindale Community Center, 6 Cummins Hwy, Roslindale, MA 02131]
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 | 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
The BPDA is hosting a housing and small business visioning workshop as part of the 6-9 month planning and engagement process for the Roslindale Square Squares + Streets plan. At this event, community members can learn more about current tools the City has to create and preserve housing and support small businesses, how the Squares + Streets Small Area Plan can address current housing and small business challenges in Roslindale, and envision through hands-on activities what Roslindale Square might need for the future to support diverse households and businesses.
Coffee Hours
[In-Person: BCYF Community Center - 6 Cummins Highway, Roslindale, MA 02131]
Wednesday, March 6, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Wednesday. March 13, 2024 | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Roslindale Square Open House
Saturday, February 24, 2024 | 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
The BPDA hosted an open house to officially kick off the 6-9 month planning and engagement process for the Roslindale Square Squares + Streets plan! At this event, community members learned more about the Squares + Streets planning & zoning processes while helping us understand their priorities, history, and hopes for Roslindale Square.
Presentation | Presentation (Spanish) | Presentation (Haitian Creole)
What makes Roslindale Square a great place to live, work, play, shop, or visit?
Over the course of the spring and summer, staff will be at several community events to engage with you about the Roslindale Square plan. Check out the "Stay Connected" section for engagement notifications and our calendar to check out upcoming Roslindale Squares + Streets engagement activities.
Language Access
Through Squares + Streets the BPDA and City of Boston are committed to making this as inclusive and open a process as possible. As part of this effort, we intend to offer interpretation and translation services at our key public meetings and engagements and ensure that key materials and updates are provided in Spanish and Haitian Creole. If you need any of these materials or information in an additional language please email [email protected].