BPDA approves RFPs to redevelop public land for
public good in Charlestown, Chinatown, and Dorchester
New affordable housing in Dorchester moves forward
BOSTON - Thursday, April 13, 2023 - The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board of Directors this month approved four new development projects representing 165,000 square feet (SF). The new projects will create 47 residential units, 29 of which, or 62 percent will be designated income-restricted, and will support approximately 163 construction jobs and 115 permanent jobs. These projects will make Boston a more resilient, affordable, and equitable city.
Real Estate
BPDA Board awards tentative designation for the redevelopment of 555-559
Columbia Road
The BPDA Board of Directors awarded tentative designation to Civico/DREAM
Collaborative to redevelop the BPDA-owned site at 555-559 Columbia Road
in Upham's Corner in
Dorchester. The Civico/DREAM proposal would create a blend of affordable
homeownership options, artist space, and a branch library that improves the
public realm within a new five-story building. The goals outlined in the RFP
were built on earlier community-oriented planning processes focused on the
Fairmount Line, and reflect the ideas and priorities expressed by the community
members participating in a robust public outreach process, guided by the
community-based Working Advisory Group (WAG). The RFP prioritized the inclusion
of a branch library, affordable housing, affordable commercial space, transit
oriented development, sustainability, and development without displacement.
Following the RFP submissions, staff conducted an extensive community engagement
process, in collaboration with the WAG, to evaluate the proposals and
ultimately make a recommendation for tentative designation. The site is at the
heart of the Upham’s Corner Arts and Innovation District. The goal of this
district is to create sustainable opportunities for local residents and
businesses by empowering the entrepreneurial talent that exists in the
neighborhood. The Upham’s Corner Implementation process focuses on putting
those plans into effect by strategically developing parcels in the
neighborhood.
BPDA approves RFP to redevelop Austin Street Lots
The BPDA Board of Directors approved a Request for Proposals (RFP) to redevelop
the BPDA-owned Austin Street Parking Lots in
Charlestown. This site was identified as a high-priority opportunity site for
community planning in the City’s 2022 land audit. Some of the key goals for the
Lots outlined in the RFP and PLAN: Charlestown’s
emerging recommendations include: affordable housing, open space with sports
fields, pedestrian and bike connections, public realm contributions, retail
spaces and ground floor activation, and artist spaces. These goals were
developed as part of a robust community process that included several community
visioning sessions, building off of the engagement for PLAN: Charlestown.
Proposals should prioritize neighborhood services, retail, restaurants,
athletic uses, and community spaces within the ground floor activation. Based
on community surveys and discussions, proposals must also provide affordability
across multiple income levels. The successful proposer will be required to
apply to the Boston Housing Authority through a separate RFP for Project-Based
Voucher Section 8 Assistance for 100 units for this project. Like all
BPDA-owned parcels in the City of Boston, the selected development team will be
required to meet the BPDA’s Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion evaluation criterion, and outline commitments to
including Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBEs) in all aspects
of their development process. The RFP will be issued in the coming weeks.
BPDA approves RFP to redevelop Parcel P12C
The BPDA Board of Directors approved a Request for Proposals (RFP) to redevelop
BPDA-owned Parcel P-12C located
in Chinatown. This site was previously tentatively designated, but after that
development did not move forward due to financial constraints brought on by the
pandemic, the BPDA restarted a community process in 2022 to imagine what could
be developed on the site. This site was also identified as a high-priority
opportunity site for community planning in the City’s 2022 land audit. Based on
feedback from the community, the RFP will prioritize the inclusion of
affordable housing and the activation of the ground floor to create a vibrant
streetscape in the redevelopment of the site. The design of this building
should contribute to the architectural identity of the surrounding
neighborhoods. Proposals should also support the community and City of Boston’s
Carbon Free, Climate Resilient, and Healthy Community goals including the 2019
Carbon Free Boston report and Zero Emission Buildings guidebook for affordable
housing projects. Like all BPDA-owned parcels in the City of Boston, the
selected development team will be required to meet the BPDA’s Diversity,
Equity, and Inclusion evaluation criterion, and outline commitments to
including Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBEs) in all aspects
of their development process. The RFP will be issued in the coming weeks.
BPDA approves RFP to redevelop Fernboro Parcels in Dorchester
The BPDA Board of Directors approved a Request for Proposals (RFP) to redevelop
five parcels located at 21-29 Fernboro Street known collectively as the
Fernboro Parcels in Dorchester. The property consists of three BPDA-owned
parcels and two parcels owned by the Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH). The joint
disposition of these properties was made possible by the BPDA buying a private
parcel in between the BPDA and MOH parcels. The BPDA and MOH teams believe that
the land could provide a great opportunity for affordable housing development
due to adjacent residential development and its close proximity to the Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. K-8 School and the Lilla G. Frederick Pilot Middle
School. Based on feedback from the community and in line with staff’s goals,
this project should provide affordable homeownership to the community. In
addition, residents advocated for maintaining the tree canopy currently present
on site to combat urban heat island, development without displacement, and the
inclusion of parking spaces on site. Like all BPDA-owned parcels in the City of
Boston, the selected development team will be required to meet the BPDA’s
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion evaluation criterion, and outline commitments
to including Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBEs) in all
aspects of their development process. The RFP will be issued in the coming
weeks.
Planning and Zoning
BPDA Board approves contract for design and engineering services for the
Resilient Fort Point Infrastructure Project
The BPDA Board of Directors approved a contract with AECOM Technical Services
Inc., for design and engineering services for the Resilient Fort Point
Infrastructure Project. The goal of the Project is to implement
flood protection infrastructure in a vulnerable part of Boston’s Fort Point
Channel, to reduce flood risks to South Boston and the adjacent neighborhoods.
Under existing coastal flood conditions, and by 2030 with a projected nine
inches of sea level rise, flooding will worsen and potentially affect larger
residential areas and significant public infrastructure.To prevent this, the
Project will construct mixed berm and floodwall mitigation along the eastern
shoreline of the channel. It is being developed in coordination with Gillette
and other nearby property owners. The actual construction of the Project will
be subject to future BPDA Board approval for the selection of a construction
contractor. This Project builds off of the work done in the Climate Ready
Boston report and the Coastal Resilient Solutions for South Boston
report.
BPDA Board approves zoning amendments in the Fenway neighborhood
The BPDA Board of Directors approved zoning amendments in the Fenway
neighborhood that will address criteria for Planned
Development Areas. The changes are designed to balance predictability of built
form and intended uses with the flexibility needed to deliver significant
public benefits. The changes prioritize increasing allowed height for proposed
PDAs along Brookline Avenue, an established corridor connecting Kenmore Square
and the Longwood Medical and Academic area. These amendments will need to be
approved by the zoning commission to take effect.
Development Projects
Project at 247 Hancock Street brings
mixed-income multi-family housing to Dorchester
Live: 47 residential units, majority family-sized units, amenity
space for tenants
Work: Approximately 52 construction jobs
Connect: Bicycle parking spaces, new pedestrian crosswalk, new
publicly accessible courtyard, Bluebikes dock, close proximity to public
transport
Sustain: Solar panels on roof, EV car share, 100 percent efficient
electric
This project will build a new six story building comprised of 47 mixed-income
multi-family residential units. Of those units, 29 will be income-restricted.
The building will be all-electric and will create housing opportunities for larger
families with approximately seven three-bedroom units, 27 two-bedroom units,
five one-bedroom units and eight studios. During review of this project,
Planning Division staff considered the neighborhood context, particularly the
close location to other recently constructed projects, as well as public
feedback, adopted citywide plans including Imagine Boston 2030 and Go Boston 2030,
and the zoning code. This project will create new public open space, as well as
an improved pedestrian experience on Hancock Street.
Boston College High School will add to sports complex with 150-160 Morrissey Boulevard project
Work: Approximately 42 construction jobs, approximately 56
permanent jobs
Connect: Close proximity to MBTA, bicycle parking
Sustain: LEED Certified
Located at Boston College High School, this project will put an addition onto
what is currently a sports complex to add a new swimming pool with grandstand
area, locker rooms, new cardio, weightlifting, and wrestling areas, and
renovated entry areas. New landscaping will also reduce the parking onsite. In
support of the bikeshare system, this project will contribute $17,640 to the
Boston Transportation Department.
330 C Street project
to build six-story hotel to South Boston
Live: 72 room hotel
Work: Approximately 45 construction jobs, approximately 27
permanent jobs, ground floor retail and restaurant space
Connect: $7,500 contribution to West 2nd Street Park &
Community Gardens, $7,500 contribution to Flaherty Park, close proximity to
public transportation, $49,000 contribution to Bluebikes program, $40,000
contribution to roadway improvements on C Street
Sustain: LEED Gold Certified
This project at 330 C Street in South Boston will construct a six-story hotel
that includes up to 72 guest rooms and retail/restaurant space on the ground
floor. In support of Boston’s green building and carbon neutral goals, the
project will be designed to meet LEED Gold performance standards. The project
takes its surroundings into consideration and has a brick facade to complement
nearby buildings. It will also include at least two street trees, new
pedestrian lighting, and landscaping which will brighten an otherwise gray area
and create a more welcoming pedestrian experience. This project will make a
contribution to the bikeshare program of $49,000 to the Boston Transportation
Department, and provide space for one 15-bike docking station. It will also
contribute $10,000 to the City’s Fund for Parks to maintain the green space at
the West 2nd Street Park and Community Gardens in South Boston. Another $10,000
contribution to the City’s Fund for Parks will go toward maintaining the green
space at Flaherty Park.
Project at 85 West Newton Street will
convert vacant lot into multipurpose space for events, classrooms
Work: Approximately 24 construction jobs, approximately 31
permanent jobs
Connect: Bike parking, close proximity to public transport, 4,500+
participants in arts and culture activities, 1,200+ residents served by IBA
programs
Sustain: Will be LEED Certified
Located in the South End, this project will convert what is now a vacant lot
into a new four-story building for the Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion (IBA)
organization containing a multipurpose space for events, functions and
performances, a public lobby, classrooms, and meeting rooms. Amenities will
include bike storage, an exercise room and showers, kitchen and dining areas,
storage, and a roof deck. IBA is a non-profit organization and community
development corporation that originally started in the South End neighborhood
of Boston to address displacement of low-income families due to urban
development. IBA is working with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department to
participate in the planning for the renewal of the adjacent O’Day Park and to
coordinate the design of the new building within the park to permit enhanced
activities that involve both spaces. IBA intends for this project to serve its
1,000+ person community and thousands of people from all backgrounds with an
improved facility. The project is consistent with the City’s goal of bolstering
the arts community through culturally-driven space and improving the public
realm and open spaces.
In addition to these projects, the Board approved:
·
An update to a previously approved project at 734 Dudley Street to
add an additional story with five housing units.
·
An update to a previously approved project at 425 Border Street to
change the units from condominiums to rental units.
·
An update to a previously approved project at 265-267 Amory Street to
reduce the height of the building and the number of units.
·
An update to a previously approved project at 4198-4206 Washington Street to
increase the number of income-restricted units.
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