The Boston Redevelopment Agency (“BRA”), doing business as the Boston Planning & Development Agency (“BPDA”), is soliciting responses to a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for the redevelopment and sale of a vacant parcel of land that fronts Melnea Cass Boulevard and is located on a block bounded by Washington Street, Eustis Street and Harrison Avenue in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston (the “Proposed Property Site”).
The Proposed Property Site consists of approximately 47,333 square feet of land area and is comprised of two parcels: Assessor’s Parcel Number 08-02426-030 with an address of Washington Street (“SR-25”), and Assessor’s Parcel Number 08-02426-040 with an address of Harrison Avenue (the “City Parcel”). SR-25 is currently under the care and control of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Department of Conservation and Recreation (“DCR”), and the City Parcel is currently under the care, custody, and control of the City of Boston’s Department of Neighborhood Development (“DND”).
This RFP seeks to secure redevelopment of the Proposed Property Site to allow the mixed use development, consisting of residential housing with ground floor commercial and/or retail use. Any development or other improvement on SR-25 shall delineate and preserve the northeast corner of the parcel as a public park. Certain areas of the Proposed Property Site will be subject to a Preservation Restriction and Conservation Restriction. The selected proponent will be required to complete the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (“MEPA”) process prior to closing on any transfer of the Proposed Property Site.
Any proposal for the Proposed Property Site must reflect a minimum purchase price of $5,010,000 for SR-25. The BPDA expects a price proposal of $1,360,000 for the City Parcel. However, the BPDA may consider an offer price below the asking price for the City Parcel if the proponent demonstrates that the proposed use of the City Parcel qualifies as a public purpose and/or the proposed use of the City Parcel will require public subsidy.
This RFP requires that any redevelopment of the Proposed Property Site be consistent with applicable zoning and Architectural Conservation District guidelines, and consistent with the Roxbury Strategic Master Plan, Dudley Vision, and PLAN: Nubian Square, formerly known as PLAN: Dudley Square. Proponents must incorporate the combined visions of these planning documents, while capturing and addressing the current needs of the community for affordable housing, economic development and job opportunities. The Proposed Property Site is located in the Eustis Street Protection Area for the Eustis Street Architectural Conservation District.
RFP Opening Video