BPDA Board approves 101 residential units, $363.3 million in development at October meeting

BPDA Board approves 101 residential units, $363.3 million in development at October meeting

Updated Climate Change Guidelines to Promote Preparedness and Resiliency Approved
 

Boston – Friday, October 13, 2017 - The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board of Directors approved four development projects representing a combined investment of $363.3 million from developers. The projects include 101 residential units, 13 which are affordable. Of the four projects, one is a Notice of Project Change (NPC). 

In addition to the four projects approved, the BPDA Board also voted to approve an update to the agency’s Climate Change Preparedness and Resiliency Guidelines and Checklist. Since the guidelines were first passed in 2013, there have been significant advancements our understanding of climate change and forecasting of future climate conditions. Drawing on the work of the Boston Research Advisory Group and the recommendations of Climate Ready Boston the BPDA has updated the Climate Change guidelines to reflect the best available science and emerging industry practices.

Utilizing the updated guidelines the BPDA will work with project developers to identify how future climate conditions will affect a project’s environmental impacts, including the survivability, integrity and safety of the proposed project and its inhabitants. The guidelines will also help developers to identify and implement strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to avoid, reduce, and eliminate adverse impacts due to climate change including increased heat, more intense precipitation, and rising sea levels.

The BPDA will closely monitor project responses and best practices to advance our preparedness and ensure our City, our neighborhood, and communities continue to thrive as our climate changes.

New Development Projects

233 Hancock approval to bring 36 residential units to Dorchester; $15K in community benefits

Live: 36 residential units, five Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) units, 1,250 square feet of new urban street front, 3K square feet of usable open space in the rear
Work: 1,120 square feet of retail and gallery space
Connect: On-site bike lockers, 10 minute walk to Savin Hill Red Line stop
Project Size: 29,465 square feet

Dorchester’s 233 Hancock will result in a new five-story, mixed-use building on a site currently occupied by two auto body repair shops. The new building will include 36 residential rental units made up of 31 market-rate units and five IDP units. There will be a mix of unit-types, with 12 studio units, 12 one-bedroom units, eight two-bedroom units, and four three-bedroom units. 

In addition, the proposed project includes 720 square feet of ground-floor retail space, 400 square feet of lobby gallery space, and 22 accessory off-street parking spaces located in the building’s street level garage. Storage for approximately 38 bicycles will also be available on the perimeter of the building, as well as a designated trash/recycling room located on the building’s ground floor.

The 233 Hancock approval will also provide community benefits for the Dorchester neighborhood and the City of Boston. A total of $15,000 has been committed towards the following three organizations: St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children, Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston’s Youth Connect Program, and Cape Verdean Community Unido. Each organization will receive $5,000.

South Boston’s 87-93 West Broadway to bring 65 residential condo units, retail space

Live: Eight IDP units, landscaped green roof, one block to rapid transit
Work: 30 retail jobs, new retail space on Broadway
Connect: 65 bike storage units, building wifi, LEED Silver certifiability
Project Size: 98,000 square feet

The 87-93 West Broadway project will include the construction of a 98,000 square foot building containing 65 residential condominium units. The residential units will include a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. There are also plans for 9,000 square feet of ground floor retail and lobby space, with two retail spaces planned for the ground floor along West Broadway. In addition, the new project will also house 88 below-level garage spaces and two handicapped van spaces on the first floor. 

As part of the project’s approval, a commitment of $50,000 has been made to be used towards services for residents in the South Boston area. The BPDA will release an application for these community benefits grant monies upon the project’s issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy. An additional commitment of $25,000 has been made to help fund the creation of a new Hubway Station within close proximity to the project site, and the Boston Transportation Department will work with the developer on mitigation measures for the impacted areas of the proposed project. 

Updates to Boston University Medical Center - Dental School approved for South End

Live: 41,000 additional gross square feet, landscape and public realm improvements along Albany and East Newton streets
Work: 233 constructions jobs, improved clinical space in alignment with dental best practices
Connect: $60,000 in improvements to Albany Street, innovative and collaborative space for students
Project Size: 126,000 square feet

The Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine project includes the rehabilitation of the existing building and a new addition to the existing building. After substantial rehabilitation and new construction, the project will have a gross floor area (GFA) of approximately 126,100. The project site will continue to be used as an academic/clinical building and will consist of seven levels at a height of 94 feet. The rooftop penthouse will contain air handling equipment and machine rooms within a corrugated metal panel shell at a height of 105 feet above grade. A full basement will contain mechanical/electrical and support spaces.

The renovated and expanded building will be classified as a high-rise building. The site will include office, instructional, clinical, and student collaborative spaces. The building systems associated with clinical function will be scheduled for 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Offices, classrooms, and student spaces will be available 24 hours each day, 7 days of the week. The interior renovation of the existing structure will reconfigure the layout of the patient and student/faculty entry, the clinical space, and also classroom and student spaces. The existing style of the interior will be upgraded to reflect Boston University’s modern vision as well as provide upgrades to the building’s accessibility. The exterior will also receive a full modernization, including a cladding of terracotta to cover the exterior concrete face, with a large expanse of glass added to activate the entry level. The addition will tie seamlessly to the existing structure with similar color tone brick and a glass curtain wall. 

Notices of Project Change (NPCs)

Boston portion of North Point project approved

Live: $1.46M in linkage payments, 2,300 - 2,400 residential units across entire site
Work: 270,178 square feet of office and lab space
Connect: 290 bicycle parking spaces, connections to Red and Orange MBTA Lines
Project Size: 270,178 square feet in Boston (45.37 acres total)

North Point, an office, laboratory, and retail project that covers Boston, Cambridge and Somerville, will move forward with an approved NPC.  Three percent of the entire site is located in Boston, while the majority (approximately 38.77 acres) is located in Cambridge, and the remainder in Somerville. 

The Boston portion of the project consists of approximately 270,178 square feet of office, laboratory, and research and development space and retail space, of which not greater than 25,000 square feet may be retail space, in two buildings, referred to as Buildings G and H. Building G is an approximately 798,542 gross square-foot, fourteen story, approximately 248 foot high (including mechanical floors) commercial lab and office building, sited on the north side of Dawes Street, between Child Street and open space within the existing North Point development. Building G will include four levels of below grade structured vehicle parking. Approximately 237,122 gross square feet of Building G is located within the City of Boston.   The Project Site is located within a fifteen minute walk of both the Lechmere and Community College MBTA stations.  The portion of the Project Site is Parcel C11 in the Charlestown Urban Renewal Area.
 

BPDA approves pilot program for Additional Dwelling Units

BPDA approves pilot program for Additional Dwelling Units

Rental units aimed at increasing affordability move forward for Jamaica Plain, Mattapan and East Boston 
 

Boston – Friday, October 13, 2017 - The Boston Planning & Development Agency Board of Directors has approved a pilot program to allow owner occupants to carve out space within their home to create smaller, independent rental units, known as an Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs).  In accordance with Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s Housing A Changing City and Imagine Boston 2030, ADUs will increase affordable housing options, create safer living arrangements and support multigenerational family arrangements and opportunities for aging in place so homeowners can remain in their homes. ADUs provide an opportunity to use existing infrastructure to achieve the City’s housing goals.

“We must be innovative and think creatively in order to accomplish our goals of providing more affordable housing options for those that want to live here,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “Additional Dwelling Units are an important component in our efforts to create additional housing for our growing population while ensuring that our residents have the opportunity to stay in their homes.”

The pilot program will allow ADUs in the Jamaica Plain, Greater Mattapan and East Boston Neighborhood Districts. 

An ADU is one self-contained, non-transient residential living unit providing complete independent living facilities incorporated entirely within the footprint of the existing, owner occupied residential structure. The residential structure cannot contain more than three dwelling units. 

The pilot program will also provide additional resources to support homeowners interested in building an ADU, including:

• An online toolkit will support homeowners with information about applying for a permit, identifying the cost of building a unit and explaining the type of ADUs allowed.
• A zero interest deferred equity loan up to $30,000 will be available for eligible homeowners through the Boston Home Center.

Under the pilot program, an ADU shall be an allowed use where it may be otherwise conditional or forbidden provided that it is the addition of no more than one dwelling unit to the existing structure, and will be exempt from all provisions of the Boston Zoning Code, provided that the ADU does not involve any bump out, extension or construction to the existing envelope of the structure which results in the addition of Gross Floor Area. The additional unit must be registered in accordance with Ch. 9-1.3 of the City of Boston Rental Registry Ordinance at the time of conversion. The pilot program will last 18 months. 
 
“Boston’s housing crisis cannot be solved through the creation of new units in bulk alone. The City must also find ways to evolve our 19th century residential fabric to meet the needs of its 21st century occupants,”  said Matthew Littell, Principal, Utile inc. “ADUs can provide the flexibility to support not only a growing population, but a more diverse and vulnerable one.  Allowing homeowners more freedom to adapt their existing homes to changing needs sets the stage for long term preservation of neighborhoods that continue to struggle with the pressures of Boston’s unprecedented growth.”

The pilot program is a joint effort by the Mayor’s Housing Innovation Lab at the Department of Neighborhood Development, the Inspectional Services Department (ISD) and the BPDA. The program is expected to be approved by the Boston Zoning Commission in November, and to launch in the following months. 

About Imagine Boston 2030
Shaped by more than 15,000 resident voices, Imagine Boston 2030 is the first citywide plan since 1965. Mayor Walsh released the plan in July of 2017. The final plan can be downloaded at https://imagine.boston.gov/ and can be found at all branches of the Boston Public Library.

About Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030
The Walsh administration’s housing plan lays out Boston’s strategy to grow its housing stock responsibly, while preventing displacement and promoting equity and opportunity throughout the city. Driven by data and demographic analysis, the plan calls for the creation of 53,000 new units of housing at a wide range of income and age levels by the year 2030.

About the Housing Innovation Lab
The Mayor’s Housing Innovation Lab was facilitated by a collaboration between the Department of Neighborhood Development and the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics, the city’s civic innovation group. The Housing iLAB pilots experiments that offer the potential to improve the quality of life for Boston residents and focuses their work on reducing the cost of housing. To learn more about the Housing Innovation Lab, follow the office on Twitter or visit their website.

 

About the Boston Planning & Development Agency

As the City of Boston’s urban planning and economic development agency, the BPDA works in partnership with the community to plan Boston's future while respecting its past. The agency’s passionate and knowledgeable staff guides physical, social, and economic change in Boston’s neighborhoods and its downtown to shape a more prosperous, resilient, and vibrant city for all. The BPDA also prepares residents for new opportunities through employment training, human services and job creation. Learn more at www.bostonplans.org, and follow us on Twitter @BostonPlans.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES DIGITAL EQUITY FUND

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES DIGITAL EQUITY FUND

$35,000 grant to support programs that advance  digital equity in Boston

BOSTON - Friday, October 13, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the creation of a $35,000 Digital Equity Fund, which will support the City's goal of ensuring all residents have equal access to digital services. The Digital Equity Fund will provide support to community-based organizations that help Boston residents fully connect and participate in today's media and information landscape. "A more connected Boston is a more equitable City, a more innovative City and a more prosperous City," said Mayor Walsh. "This grant program will allow more residents to connect digitally, and will encourage residents to grow their digital skills while increasing access to information." The Digital Equity Fund will explore ways to build individual and community capacity to:  Use the Internet, digital skills, and digital tools to pursue professional, educational, and civic endeavors; Engage with the Internet safely and securely; Develop needs-responsive, community driven digital skills building opportunities; Increase broadband adoption among the roughly 1 in 5 Bostonians who do not subscribe to this service in the home. In 2017, Boston will award one grant of $35,000 or up to two grants up to $17,500 each to nonprofit organizations that promote digital equity. By providing seed funding, the City hopes to identify promising strategies that can attract outside funding and further create a City where everyone has the tools and skills they need to succeed in the 21st century. To qualify for a grant, nonprofit organizations must be Boston-based and serve Boston residents. The application deadline for 2017 is November 17 and the application can be found online. Priority will be given to proposals that aim to advance the use of technology to improve quality of life and increases access to opportunity for all residents and align with the City of Boston's Broadband and Digital Equity goals of: Expanding access to digital tools, Creating opportunities to learn digital skills, and Increasing the adoption of high-speed Internet in the home. Money for this fund comes from license agreements between the City of Boston and telecommunications companies.   "We believe in making modern technology available to all," said Theodora Higginson Hanna, Co-Director of Tech Goes Home. "This fund will help provide Bostonians with the tools they need to support the development of their digital skills." The Fund will be overseen by the City of Boston Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) and an external Fund Council consisting of five to seven members. Advisory board members will be appointed by Mayor Walsh and serve three year terms. Current Fund Council members include:   Alessandra Brown, Director, Roxbury Innovation Center Colin Rhinesmith, Assistant Professor, School of Library and Information Science, Simmons College Turahn Dorsey, Chief of Education, City of Boston Trinh Nguyen, Director of Workforce Development, City of Boston Sasha Costanza-Chock, Associate Professor of Civic Media, Massachusetts Institute of Technology "Access to broadband and digital literacy skills are essential in today's society," said Colin Rhinesmith, Assistant Professor at the School of Library and Information Science at Simmons College and member of the Digital Equity Fund Council. "Unfortunately, too many Bostonians do not have the reliable and affordable broadband they need, as well as the training required, to fully participate. The City of Boston's Digital Equity Fund is a key initiative to support residents in achieving these goals." About the Department of Innovation and Technology The Department of Innovation and Technology makes sure the networks, computers and systems that support the City are secure and effective. They also manage the City's websites and technologies focused on service delivery. The department's core work involves five priority areas: Core infrastructure Enterprise applications Digital engagement and services Data and analytics Broadband and digital equity

Governor Baker Pays Respect to Victims of Las Vegas Tragedy

Governor Baker Pays Respect to Victims of Las Vegas Tragedy

LAS VEGAS – Governor Charlie Baker today visited the Las Vegas Tragedy Memorial site with Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval to pay his respects to the 58 victims who tragically lost their lives in last week’s mass shooting, including Tewksbury resident Rhonda LeRocque.

Governor Baker leaves flowers at the memorial for Tewksbury resident Rhoda LeRocque at the Las Vegas Tragedy Memorial site.

“The horrific and utterly senseless tragedy that occurred here two weeks ago shocked Massachusetts and our country,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “It is an honor to be here with Governor Sandoval to pay our respects on behalf of the Commonwealth for the innocent lives lost, including our own Rhonda LeRocque of Tewksbury. We appreciate the incredible work of first responders and medical professionals who saved many lives that night, and our state stands ready to support Las Vegas by any means possible during this difficult time.”

Governor Baker is in Nevada today for a speaking engagement on the Gubernatorial Panel at the National Clean Energy Summit called “States Leading the Charge.”

SÁNCHEZ ISSUES STATEMENT ON COST SHARING REDUCTIONS

SÁNCHEZ ISSUES STATEMENT ON COST SHARING REDUCTIONS

BOSTON—Representative Jeffrey Sánchez (D-Jamaica Plain) issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s decision to discontinue cost sharing reduction payments:

“Yesterday, President Trump announced his plan to eliminate crucial cost sharing reduction payments, which reduce health care costs for low-income Americans. President Trump’s unilateral action will significantly increase premiums, destabilize the insurance market, and affect over 200,000 residents of the Commonwealth.

“Research has shown that people forego necessary health care services due to cost. These payments are crucial to ensure individuals and families receive the care they need without incurring massive debt. Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, millions of Americans have been able to access preventative care, lifesaving medication, and behavioral health treatment for the first time.

“The House remains committed to universal health care, and we are proud that our national leadership has expanded health insurance to 98% of the state. We encourage the President and Congress to put aside partisan differences to ensure affordable healthcare coverage for all Americans.”

CITY OF BOSTON, MASSROBOTICS TO HOST A "ROBOT BLOCK PARTY"

CITY OF BOSTON, MASSROBOTICS TO HOST A "ROBOT BLOCK PARTY"

As part of HUBweek, City Hall Plaza will be home to the first "Robot Block Party" featuring an "autonomous vehicle petting zoo" and robot demonstrations

BOSTON - Thursday, October 12, 2017 - On Sunday, October 15, the City of Boston will partner with MassRobotics to host over two dozen robots on City Hall Plaza as part of HUBweek 2017 for a "Robot Block Party." The City of Boston's Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics, in collaboration with HUBweek and MassRobotics, will celebrate all things robotics by exhibiting the latest in robotics and inviting the public to engage with industry leading technologists throughout the day. The event is free and open to people of all ages. "Boston is home to some of the brightest minds solving some of the world's biggest challenges," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "This event gives all residents and visitors in Boston a chance to see Boston's inventions in person, and explore why Boston is a hub for innovation and technology." The Robot Block Party will feature a broad range of demonstrations from start-ups, local universities and industry leading companies all under one big dome. Participants will have the opportunity to visit an "autonomous vehicle petting zoo" featuring nuTonomy, Optimus Ride, Delphi, and a Toyota/MIT collaboration. Leading engineers and roboticists will be on hand to answer questions throughout the day and City staff will be on-hand to collect input on the current autonomous vehicle program. "The generous and engaged support of the City of Boston is integral to continued growth for both MassRobotics and the region's robotics/automation industry. Collaborating with the City to co-host the Robot Block Party as part of HUBweek is an opportunity to celebrate how much we've accomplished and to look forward to all that's still to come," said Tom Ryden, Executive Director at MassRobotics. In the fall of 2016, Mayor Walsh released an executive order to establish a testing program for autonomous vehicles in the City of Boston. Since last fall, the City's testing partners have driven over 600 miles autonomously on Boston roadways. The event will provide an opportunity to see autonomous vehicles up-close and take part in other on-site demonstrations -- such as a new personal home robot, demonstrations from Jibo, Pong Robotics, Vecna Technologies and a "design your own robot" technology featuring interactive CAD tools which guide users through the robot design process. Robot Block Party is a free event and open to the public with The HUB Pass. For more information or to register, visit www.boston.gov/calendar/robot-block-party  About the City of Boston's Autonomous Vehicle Efforts In the fall of 2016, Mayor Walsh launched an Autonomous Vehicle testing program led by the Boston Transportation Department and the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics. The program is exploring the technology and policies that help unlock the immense promise of these vehicles to make our transportation system more reliable, more accessible, and safer for all users. Details on the program and the progress can be found at boston.gov. About MassRobotics MassRobotics is the result of the collective work of a group of engineers, rocket scientists and entrepreneurs with a shared vision to create an innovation hub and startup cluster focused on the needs of the robotics and IoT community. It has an extensive network of more than 400 companies, 10 academic institutions and 20 industry-focused associations and organizations. The organization drives international outreach and has active engagements with Ireland, UK, China, Singapore, Chile, France, Canada and UAE, and continues to engage with different countries. MassRobotics' mission is to help create and scale the next generation of successful robotics and connected devices companies by providing entrepreneurs and innovative robotics/automation startups with the workspace and resources they need to develop, prototype, test and commercialize their products and solutions. www.massrobotics.org

BOSTON POLICE OFFICER INDICTED IN CONNECTION WITH STEALING MONEY FROM EVIDENCE ROOM, ATTEMPTED MONEY LAUNDERING AT PLAINRIDGE CASINO

BOSTON POLICE OFFICER INDICTED IN CONNECTION WITH STEALING MONEY FROM EVIDENCE ROOM, ATTEMPTED MONEY LAUNDERING AT PLAINRIDGE CASINO

BOSTON – A Boston Police Officer has been indicted in connection with stealing money from the Boston Police Department’s evidence room and attempting to launder it at Plainridge Park Casino.

 A Suffolk County Grand Jury indicted Joseph Nee, age 44, today on the charges of Larceny over $250 and money laundering (one count each). He will be arraigned on the charges in Suffolk Superior Court on October 30.

Nee is a Boston Police Officer assigned to the Evidence Management Unit in Hyde Park. He has been with the Department since 1998.

The charges are the result of a joint investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Gaming Enforcement Unit assigned to the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the Boston Police Anti-Corruption Unit and the Attorney General’s Gaming Enforcement Division.

 Authorities allege that in January 2017, Nee stole approximately $2,000 from the file of a closed bank robbery case. The stolen money was identified by the traces of red dye left from an anti-theft dye pack that discharged during the bank robbery. Authorities identified the theft when Nee fed some of the stolen cash into slot machines at Plainridge Park Casino. He then allegedly redeemed the stolen money at a kiosk at Plainridge for cash that wasn’t tainted with red dye.

All of these charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Pat Hanley, Chief of AG Healey’s Gaming Enforcement Division with assistance from Paralegal Zach Gregoric, also of the AG’s Gaming Enforcement Division. The case was investigated by the Massachusetts State Police Gaming Enforcement Unit assigned to the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the Boston Police Department Anti-Corruption Unit and the Attorney General’s Gaming Enforcement Division.  The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office assisted with the investigation.  Plainridge Park Casino fully cooperated with the investigation.