News & Updates

BPDA approves 433 income-restricted units, representing nearly 70 percent of total units at February meeting

Feb 14, 2020

The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board of Directors this month approved development projects in neighborhoods across the City of Boston, which will result in new residential units, economic development and jobs. The projects approved this month will create an additional 625 residential units, 433 of which are income-restricted, representing nearly 70 percent of total units. Additionally, three fully-affordable projects moved forward in Chinatown, Brighton and Mattapan, making progress towards Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s goal of increasing affordable housing to support a strong middle-class. These projects will also create 845 construction jobs, 99 direct jobs and 451 indirect and induced jobs.

The Board voted to amend the Agency’s license agreement with Boston Waterboat Marina to allow for short-term docking, passenger loading and disembarking of seaplanes at Long Wharf for a one-year trial period. More information on the terms and conditions, regulatory approval and flight logistics can be found on our website.

Development Projects

Parcel P-12C will bring 168, 100 percent income-restricted residential units to Chinatown, anticipated to provide community space for Boston Public Library 

Live: 168, 100 percent income-restricted residential units, including large, family-sized rental and ownership units
Work: Indoor community space anticipated to be used by Boston Public Library 
Connect: Fulfills the Inclusionary Development Policy contribution for Winthrop Square Project

Parcel P-12C, located at 290 Tremont Street, is a mixed-use development that will bring 168 residential units, all of which are income-restricted, including 63 home-ownership units and 105 rental units, to a BPDA-owned parking lot in Chinatown. There will also be up to 200 hotel rooms associated with the project.

Additionally, the project will include 2,500 square feet of ground-floor retail space and approximately 8,000 square feet of community space which is anticipated to be used as a Chinatown branch of the Boston Public Library. The design of the community space allows for an expansion of up to 14,000 square feet via the construction of a mezzanine.

The project follows the diversity and inclusion criteria put forward by Mayor Walsh, the Department of Neighborhood Development and the BPDA and includes a diverse team of partners and subcontractors, including the Asian Community Development Corporation and Millennium Partners. The project fulfills the Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) contribution for the previously approved Winthrop Square project.

6 Glover Court moves forward bringing 34 home-ownership units to South Boston 

Live: 34 home-ownership units, including 6 income-restricted units
Work: 50 construction jobs
Connect: $190,000 in community benefits for public realm and infrastructure improvements

The newly-approved 6 Glover Court will bring a five-story residential building with 34 home-ownership units, 6 of which are income-restricted, to South Boston. There will be a mix of 31 two-bedroom units and three one-bedroom units.

Community benefits associated with the project include a contribution to the non-profit organization City’s Fund for Parks for the maintenance of green space at  Joseph Moakley Park, a contribution to fund the purchase and installation of street lights on Dorchester Street and a contribution to fund youth enrichment and educational projects at the Tierney Learning Center.

Newly approved 100-110 Lincoln Street will bring 32 home-ownership units to Brighton 

Live: 32 home-ownership units, 4 of which are income-restricted units
Work: 50 construction jobs
Connect: Contribution to BPDA’s ongoing Allston-Brighton Mobility Study

100-110 Lincoln Street will construct a five-story, 43,180 square foot building containing 32 home-ownership units, 4 of which are income-restricted. There will also be 27 parking spaces and 54 bicycle storage spaces for the project.

There are a number of community benefits associated with the project, including a $25,000 contribution to the BPDA’s ongoing Allston-Brighton Mobility Study. Launched in 2018, the Allston-Brighton Mobility Study engages with the community in order to identify strategies to improve the transportation network, including streets, bike infrastructure, sidewalks, transit and parking, and mitigate the impacts of development.

Located in Brighton, the fully-affordable J.J. Carroll Redevelopment (130 Chestnut Hill Avenue) will deliver 142 income-restricted rental units for seniors 

Live: 142 rental senior housing units, all of which are income-restricted
Work: Center for community-based care, space neighborhood-oriented retail 
Connect: Active ground floor programs and services

Developed by 2Life Communities, the J.J. Carroll Redevelopment located at 130 Chestnut Hill Avenue in Brighton will construct an approximately 180,000 gross square foot, five- and six-story building containing 142 rental apartments, all of which are income-restricted housing for seniors.

The project includes 7,000 square feet of resident common space, a center for the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and commercial space. PACE is a comprehensive health and wellness program that helps seniors meet their healthcare needs in the community instead of going to a nursing home.

The project also encourages the use of alternative methods of transportation, including pick-up and drop-off areas for van transportation and covered and secure bike storage for approximately 30 bicycles.

Building on goals outlined in PLAN: Nubian Square, 2147 Washington Street will create 74 residential units, including 62, 100 percent income-restricted units, in Roxbury

Live: 74 residential units, including 62, 100 percent income-restricted units 8 of which are reserved for those who have experienced homelessness 
Work: New cafe space for the Haley House Bakery Cafe 
Connect: Consistent with the community goals outlined in PLAN: Nubian Square, formerly known as PLAN: Dudley Square

The newly-approved 2147 Washington Street will bring 62, 100 percent income-restricted and 12 home-ownership units, 8 of which are income-restricted to Roxbury. Of the 62 income-restricted rental units, 8 will be set aside for those who have experienced homelessness.

The first floor of the building includes a 2,500 square foot new cafe space for the Haley House Bakery Cafe, a community-oriented retail space, individual artist work studios, shared workspace, a public courtyard and indoor bicycle storage.

The project will be developed on an approximately 29,000 square foot city-owned site. The proponent was selected through a public Request for Proposal (RFP) process and is consistent with the goals outlined in PLAN: Nubian Square, formerly known as PLAN: Dudley Square, including the use of public land for public good.

Consistent with PLAN: Mattapan, 150 River Street moves forward with 30 income-restricted senior rental units

Live: 30 income-restricted senior rental apartments 
Work: 15 construction jobs
Connect: Community room with public access, publicly-accessible shade garden

150 River Street will construct a three-story building with 30 income-restricted rental units for seniors on now vacant, city-owned land. The residential units are sized for single and two-person elderly households ages 62 and older.

The building will also contain 1,500 square feet of common area, a 6,000 square foot publicly-accessible shade garden and a community room available for community meetings and events. Additionally, a total of 12 on-site parking spaces will be provided for residents, visitors and management staff, along with bicycle parking.

The project is consistent with the goals outlined in PLAN: Mattapan, including supporting inclusive, equitable development with an emphasis on affordable housing opportunities.

Located in East Boston, the newly-approved 282-308 Bremen Street contains 145 residential units, ground-floor retail space and artist workspace

Live: 145 residential units, including 21 income-restricted units and 13 artist units
Work: 3,200 square feet of retail space, over 2,150 square feet of artist workspace with gallery programming
Connect: 1:1 ratio of bike storage with 145 on-site spaces

282-308 Bremen Street will bring 145 residential units, 21 of which are income-restricted to East Boston. The 110,000 square foot building will also include more than 3,000 square feet of retail space, over 2,155 square feet of artist workspace with gallery programming, up to 61 parking spaces and 145 bicycle storage spaces.

The ground-floor retail space will be designed for an urban grocery store/market operator, daycare operator or local retailer. The development team will work in consultation with the BPDA and the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development to market the retail space for these desired uses.

The project brings a number of community benefits to the neighborhood, including transportation, infrastructure and public realm improvements and financial support for local non-profit organizations.

In response to the growing hospitality needs of Boston, approved addition to Onyx Hotel (155 Portland Street) will provide 77 additional hotel rooms to existing structure 

Live: Addition of 77 new hotel rooms to existing 112-room hotel
Work: 33 permanent jobs, 110 construction jobs
Connect: Contribution to BPDA’s ongoing Central Artery Parcel 2 Park Design Process

The Board approved a nine-story addition to the existing 112-room Onyx Hotel in Downtown. The addition will be developed on the parking lot abutting the hotel and will provide approximately 77 additional hotel rooms, ground floor retail/restaurant space and proposed rooftop amenity space. In total the expanded hotel will contain 189 guest rooms.

The project will deliver several community benefits for the neighborhood and City of Boston as a whole, including a contribution to the Breaktime Cafe to fund employment and vocational training for young adults experiencing homelessness, a contribution to Community Work Services to fund employment training opportunities for at risk communities, and a contribution to the West End Museum to fund programming.

The project will also make a contribution to the BPDA’s Central Artery Parcel 2 Park Design Process.

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