Description
On March 2, 2017, the guidelines outlining PLAN: JP/ROX were adopted by the BPDA Board of Directors at their monthly meeting. The PLAN: JP/ROX document provides recommendations and strategies around affordable housing, jobs and businesses, guidelines for urban design, and suggestions for improvements to transportation, connections, open space, sustainability, and the public realm. Through the 2 1/2 year planning process for PLAN: JP/ROX, the BPDA actively engaged with the community envision a plan for the area between Forest Hills, Egleston Square and Jackson Square, generally bounded by Washington Street, Columbus Avenue, and Amory Street. The study area is approximately 250 acres in size with over 6,000 residents. The study area overlaps the two neighborhoods of Jamaica Plain and Roxbury, with the majority of the study area in Jamaica Plain. This planning initiative created an opportunity to think strategically about the types of uses, the public realm, and the scale of development that are best suited for the future of the area.
One of the goals of this planning process was to create recommendations that align with the aspirations of the community and enhance overall livability in the area. The study examined the compatibility of different uses including housing, commercial, and light industrial while studying the impacts of traffic and other forms of mobility in the study area. Of particular focus was the recent wave of mixed-use residential projects making their way to the area, and determining the implications of redevelopment and areas of opportunity. The study also assessed the visual identity of the area and opened conversations around the opportunities to create more consistency and beautification in the public realm from end to end. Property owners, public agencies, and other stakeholders should now have a clearer direction for the future of the area with the completion of the planning study.
Where are we now?
The BPDA and other City agencies are in the implementation phase of PLAN: JP/ROX. The recommendations that have come out of the planning study will be implemented over time. The intent is that some portions of the recommendations will be translated into new zoning amendments for the area.
Open Community Process
The BPDA has been in open dialogue with the community in over 10 community events, 13 public advisory group meetings, and well over 35 small group and stakeholder meetings since July 2015.
A PDF of the final February 8, 2017 version of PLAN: JP/ROX, and a PDF compendium of changes since the Fall 2016 draft is located at the bottom of this page.