BOSTON — Boston’s Planning Department has taken significant steps to advance the redevelopment of public land and expand affordable housing across multiple neighborhoods, approving a slate of real estate actions and development projects aimed at strengthening housing access, job creation, and waterfront connectivity.
At its December meeting, the Planning Board recommended and approved actions to move forward with the redevelopment of Parcel M in the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park and Pier 5 in the Charlestown Navy Yard, while also extending the city’s Office-to-Residential Conversion Program. In total, the Board approved nine new development projects representing approximately 321,688 square feet, which will create 278 new homes, including 170 income-restricted units, and support an estimated 296 construction jobs and 159 permanent jobs.
Public Land Redevelopment
In South Boston, the Board awarded tentative designation to Marcus Partners to redevelop Parcel M at 3 Dolphin Way in the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park. The proposal calls for an advanced marine manufacturing and research-and-development facility focused on marine technologies, along with a new floating dock at the East Jetty. The project is expected to generate hundreds of construction jobs and permanent “blue tech” positions, while meeting the city’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion requirements for publicly owned land.
In Charlestown, Courageous Sailing received tentative designation to redevelop Pier 5 in the Charlestown Navy Yard. The proposal includes demolishing the deteriorated pier and replacing it with a new building and public open space featuring a roof terrace, harbor pool, floating dock, ecological learning lagoon, and public venue. The project is designed to expand year-round public access to the waterfront and will be refined further with Planning Department staff.
The Board also approved an Invitation for Bids to extend the Boston Harborwalk along the Little Mystic Channel in Charlestown, supported by a $500,000 MassTrails grant, completing a key missing link in the waterfront walkway.
Affordable Housing and Neighborhood Development
Several housing projects across Charlestown, Roslindale, Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, Mattapan, and Downtown Boston also moved forward. Highlights include:
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15 Supertest Street, Charlestown: A new grocery store topped by 32 housing units, 26 of them income-restricted.
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4259–4267 Washington Street, Roslindale: A six-story, all-affordable senior housing development with 41 income-restricted units.
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151 Lenox Street, Roxbury: A transit-oriented, fully electric senior housing project with 38 income-restricted units.
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294 Hyde Park Avenue, Jamaica Plain: A majority-affordable development delivering 48 units, 43 income-restricted.
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Downtown office-to-residential conversions at 1 Longfellow Place and 1 & 10 Emerson Place, adding 57 new homes.
The Board also advanced new housing in Dorchester and Mattapan, along with an office and assembly space project in Newmarket that preserves industrial jobs.
Office-to-Residential Program Extended
The Board approved an extension of Boston’s Office-to-Residential Conversion Program, launched in 2023. The program has already attracted 22 applications to convert 1.2 million square feet of office space into more than 1,500 housing units. Developers must now begin construction by December 31, 2027, to qualify.
City officials said the newly approved projects collectively support Boston’s goals of affordability, resilience, sustainability, and equitable growth—while transforming underused sites into active community assets citywide.
