News & Updates

BRA Board Moves Development Projects Forward at June 19 Meeting

Jun 20, 2014

The BRA Board approved a number of projects throughout Boston last night, and offered a filing extension to a transformative project in Roxbury.

The four approved development projects represent over $133.5 million of investment in Boston and over 445,000 square feet of development. When these projects break ground, they will put over 400 tradespeople to work.

375-399 Chestnut Hill Ave Brings Iconic Mixed-Used Development to Cleveland Circle

Total Project Cost: $85,000,00005142014-375-399-Chestnut-Hill-Ave-Cleveland-Circle-Cinema_FOR-WEB-(2).jpg
Total SF: 218,520
Construction Jobs: 257
LEED: Certifiable

Last night the BRA Board approved the development of 375-399 Chestnut Hill Avenue in Brighton after a three year review process. The project spans 2.56 acres of land in the Cleveland Circle area of Brighton. It replaces the vacant Circle Cinema building, an Applebees restaurant, and surface parking lots with a six-story mixed-use development that will bring new vitality to a previously blighted area.

When completed, 375-399 Chestnut Hill Avenue will encompass 218,520 square feet of development, including approximately 14,000 square feet of ground floor retail and restaurant space, a 162 room hotel, and 92 residential units. 12 of the residential units will be designated affordable. The project includes approximately 188 parking spaces, with 92 below grade and 96 at grade.

Community benefits include:

  • significant upgrades to the pedestrian experience around the project site, including new sidewalks, street lighting, landscaping, signage, fencing, and paving;
  • a commitment to work with the MBTA to optimize traffic signalization and flow in the Cleveland Circle intersection to mitigate existing and potential traffic concerns;
  • the retention of a botanist to perform a tree inventory and determine a management plan for maintaining existing trees and plants near the project;
  • and the provision of a community benefits package of $250,000 to be used for improvements to the nearby Cassidy Playground.

375-399 Chestnut Hill Avenue was an unusually complex project, as the project site extends into the neighboring Town of Brookline. Its approval is the culmination of significant collaboration between the developer, community groups, and staff in both municipalities.

Boston Development Group is the project developer, and ADD, Inc. is the project architect. Construction is expected to commence at the end of 2014, and to be completed by early 2016.

Ropewalk Complex in Charlestown Navy Yard Creates Housing in Historic Building

Total Project Cost: $34,000,00005022014-Ropewalk-Complex-Ropewalk-rendering_FOR-WEB.jpg
Total SF: 160,000
Construction Jobs: 103

The BRA Board voted to approve the renovation of the Ropewalk Complex in the Charlestown Navy Yard, and to extend the designation of Frontier Enterprises, Inc. as the project developer. The project will renovate an existing historic building, owned by the BRA, into housing. The finished project will also include an interpretive exhibit on ropemaking, to honor the site’s historical use as a leading manufacturer and innovator of maritime cordage.

The Ropewalk development will include approximately 90 residential units, with 20% to 30% of the units designated as affordable. Due to the building’s Landmark status, the developer is unable to provide parking on site. In response to community concerns about parking, the developer will require all tenants who own cars to prove that they have leased a parking space in a nearby garage or off-street location. As a public benefit, the developer will recreate the historic “Flirtation Walk” area along the southern edge of the building with new lighting and streetscaping.

Sousa Design is the project architect.

39 A Street Brings Market Rate and Affordable Housing to South Boston

Total Project Cost: $6,600,00005084014-39-A-Street_FOR-WEB.jpg
Total SF: 24,650
Construction Jobs: 20

The BRA Board approved the redevelopment of 39 A Street in South Boston, near Broadway Station on the MBTA Red Line. The project will replace a single-story building with a five-story residential building.

39 A Street will create 23 homeownership units, three of which will be affordable. The project will include 30 parking spaces on the ground floor level of the project and bicycle storage space for residents. As a public benefit, the developer will widen the public sidewalks along A and Silver Streets and plant new street trees.

The project developer is East Way Development, LLC and Tim Johnson Architect, LLC is the project architect. Construction is planned to begin in the fall of 2014.

245 Sumner Street Adds News Housing and Commercial Space to East Boston

Total Project Cost: $8,000,000245-Summer-Street_FOR-WEB.jpg
Total SF: 42,435
Construction Jobs: 24

The BRA approved the development of 245 Sumner Street in the Jeffries Point section of East Boston. The approved project will replace an existing warehouse with a new four-story, mixed-use building within walking distance of the Maverick MBTA Blue Line station.

The project will create 34 residential units, including five affordable units, and 2,257 square feet of ground floor commercial space. 34 parking spaces will be built below grade, and bicycle storage space will also be created. Community benefits include widened public sidewalks along Sumner and Orleans Streets which will feature new landscaping and street trees.

Velkor Realty Trust is the project developer and Clinton Design Architects is the architect. Construction is expected to begin by the winter of 2014.

Tremont Crossing Redeveloper Granted Extension to Secure Financing, Tenants.

The BRA Board voted to extend the tentative designation of P-3 Partners, LLC as the redeveloper of Parcel P-3 in Roxbury until August 14, 2014.

The project, branded Tremont Crossing, is planned as a major mixed-use development which will include retail, cultural, and educational space. Once completed, it is anticipated to be a major contributor to the revitalization of Dudley Square and an anchor shopping area for the neighborhood. Tremont Crossing will follow on the heels of several significant nearby projects, including the Ferdinand Municipal Building.

Share This Article:


Subscribe to our News & Updates

*indicates required
First Name : Last Name :
Zip Code : *Email: