BOSTON— In a major step forward for housing equity and urban resilience, the Boston Planning Department this month secured approval for three new development projects that will bring 820 new residential units to Brighton and Dorchester, including 163 income-restricted homes.
The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board voted unanimously to greenlight the projects, which represent over 920,000 square feet of new development.
These efforts are projected to create 801 construction jobs and 61 permanent positions, further supporting Boston’s economic vitality. As the city continues to confront the dual challenges of housing affordability and community sustainability, these projects underscore a growing commitment to resilient, inclusive development in Boston’s neighborhoods.
Meanwhile, the Planning Department also briefed the public on a new initiative aimed at supporting small-scale multifamily housing. A Request for Proposals (RFP) is now out for a guidebook that will offer design solutions tailored to Boston’s historic neighborhood character—a key component of the city’s broader zoning reform strategy. The guidebook builds on the recently completed Design Vision, focused on creating homes that reflect the lived experience and diversity of Boston’s communities.
Development Projects
75 Morrissey Boulevard project moves forward to build hundreds of new homes in Dorchester
Housing: 754 residential units, 151 income-restricted units
Jobs: Approximately 710 construction jobs, approximately 15 permanent jobs
Community: Close proximity to public transportation, community/civic space on site, community park
Sustainability: LEED Gold, Passive House
The first of three phases for the 35-75 Morrissey Boulevard project will create 754 new homes in Dorchester, including 151 income-restricted, within two new buildings. The ground floors will also include retail, community, and civic spaces. The project will also include a new community park on site. To support this new development, Phase 1 of the project will include new on- and off-site roadway improvements and infrastructure to support vehicular, bike, and pedestrian accessibility. Building one includes 391 homes and Building two includes 363 homes, both of which will be a mix of studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. As part of the community benefits and mitigation for this project, it will include an entirely new off-site roadway which will include space for city utilities. In addition, the project will contribute $209,755 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the bikeshare system, and include a Bluebikes station on site, as well as bike parking within the building. This project will also contribute approximately $600,000 to the Boston Parks Department in support of maintaining Moakley Park.
Project at 1444-1446 Dorchester Ave project to bring new homes to Dorchester
Housing: 47 residential units, nine income-restricted units
Jobs: Approximately 63 construction jobs, approximately 45 permanent jobs
Community: Retail space, open space, landscaping and sidewalk improvements
Sustainability: LEED Gold, historic home on site to be retained and preserved, all electric building, Passive House
This project, in alignment with the City’s Squares + Streets initiative, will revitalize the underutilized site of an existing commercial building in Dorchester to create a new mixed-use development with commercial, storage, and residential space. The project will create 47 new homes, including nine income-restricted units. The project will also renovate the existing Clap-Field house into two living units. The existing post office and ground floor commercial facilities will remain. The project will create a variety of open space and improve the public realm with landscaping and streetscape improvements. This includes adding bike racks and new street trees. The project will contribute $12,925 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the bikeshare system.
344-350 Washington Street project to build new homeownership units in Brighton
Housing: 19 homeownership units, 3 income-restricted units
Jobs: Approximately 28 construction jobs
Community: Sidewalk and streetscape improvements to increase pedestrian safety, retail space, new trees, close proximity to public transportation
Sustainability: LEED Gold
Located in Brighton, this project will create a new mixed-use building including nineteen residential units, three of which will be income-restricted. There will also be ground floor retail space. This will be a transit-oriented development, as it is in close proximity to the Boston Landing commuter rail station, the Chiswick Road Greenline Station, and multiple MBTA bus routes. The project will also contribute $5,225 to the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) in support of the bikeshare system. In addition, the project will contribute $19,000 to the City’s Fund for Parks, which will go towards maintaining nearby green space. Other community benefits include sidewalk and streetscape improvements to Washington Street and Academy Hill Road, and new trees on site.
In addition to these projects, the board approved:
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An update to a previously approved project at 9 Geneva Street to change the programming of the building from rental units to condominiums.
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The disbursement of $500,000 in Neighborhood Development Funds to support the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion’s Commercial Acquisition Assistance Program.
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The disbursement of $100,000 in Neighborhood Development Funds to support the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts acquiring a property to establish a sustainability hub.
