Boston – The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) board of directors recently approved four new development projects representing 165,000sf. The new projects will create 47 residential units, 29 of which will be designated income-restricted, and will support approximately 163 construction jobs and 115 permanent jobs.
The project at 247 Hancock Street in Dorchester will build a new 6-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. This project will create new public open space, as well as an improved pedestrian experience on Hancock Street.
150-160 Morrissey Blvd.
Located at Boston College High School, the 150-160 Morrissey Boulevard 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.
The project at 330 C Street in South Boston will construct a 6-story hotel that includes up to 72 guest rooms and retail/restaurant space on the ground floor. The project will be designed to meet LEED Gold performance standards. The project has a brick facade to complement nearby buildings, and will also include at least two street trees, new pedestrian lighting, and landscaping.
330 C Street
Located in the South End, the 85 West Newton Street project will convert what is now a vacant lot into a new 4-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. 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.
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 5-story building.
85 West Newton Street
The BPDA board also approved three Request for Proposals (RFP): the redevelopment of the BPDA-owned Austin Street Parking Lots in Charlestown; the redevelopment of BPDA-owned Parcel P-12C located in Chinatown; and the redevelopment of five parcels located at 21-29 Fernboro Street known collectively as the Fernboro Parcels in Dorchester.
Additionally, the BPDA board 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.
The BPDA board also 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.
