BPDA Approves New Housing in Dorchester and South Boston, Adopts East Boston and Associated Zoning Amendments

The BPDA Board approved the Allston Brighton Needs Assessment Report. This Report is the result of ten months of research and engagement in uplifting and assessing the community’s assets and needs across the neighborhoods of Allston and Brighton. The Needs Assessment began as a community request put forward by the Harvard Allston Task Force, and involved engagement with community members, community-based organizations, institutions, and City of Boston service providers. Documented within are the results of analyzing thousands of comments, comprehensive interviews, and survey-informed research describing the rich spatial, planning, and demographic characteristics of Allston-Brighton. This Report identifies the gaps that exist today, and how future development in Allston-Brighton provides significant opportunity. These opportunities include: increased housing, accessible public outdoor spaces, cultural food providers, convenient transportation, improved elementary schools, institutional research opportunities, arts programing, and cultural gatherings for all ages. The narratives, analysis, and recommendations in this Report provide a foundation for a comprehensive Allston-Brighton Community Plan. The BPDA Board also approved a consultant contract to create that comprehensive Community Plan for the neighborhoods, focused on the next 3-10 years.

495 Dorchester Avenue project will build more than 300 housing units in South Boston, including income-restricted units for seniors

Live: 331 units including 94 affordable senior units

Work: 8,425 square feet of retail space, approximately 393 construction jobs and 17 permanent jobs

Connect: 288 indoor bike parking spaces

Sustain: LEED Platinum residences

This project includes two buildings: a 16-story building with 237 housing units, and a seven-story building with 94 income-restricted units for seniors. Along with commercial retail space, there will be open space and amenities for residents including senior-specific services. The retail space will be subsidized and made available to community start-ups, artists in need of workspaces, or other community groups and programming. This project is within the Planned Development Area for the On the Dot Project in Dorchester. It is key in realizing the vision of PLAN: South Boston Dorchester Avenue and the PLAN: South Boston Dorchester Avenue Transportation Planning Study, as it will help transition the neighborhood from an industrial area to a mixed-used space, as envisioned in the plans. Public safety in the area will be significantly improved by new, wider sidewalks, new crosswalks, and protected bike lanes along Dorchester Avenue and Alger Street. Street trees will be planted along the property to increase the tree canopy, and the project complies with flood district requirements in support of the City’s climate resilience goals. As a transit-oriented development, this project is near the MBTA Andrew Station which provides Red Line service and access to multiple bus lines. The project will provide a total of 288 bike parking spaces.

103 North Beacon Street to bring life science and retail space to Allston

Live: $1.8 million in Linkage for affordable housing

Work: Life science and retail space, approximately 694 permanent jobs and 328 construction jobs

Connect: Close proximity to public transit, onsite bike parking, creation of new North Beacon Street Plaza

Sustain: LEED Gold, activated green roof terrace, compliant with Massachusetts Stretch Code

Located in Allston, this project will build a new mixed-use building with life science and retail space. This new development will replace what is currently a commercial building and parking lot. It will be a transit-oriented development as it is in close proximity to several MBTA bus lines and the Commuter Rail. In addition, the project will contribute $74,200 to the Boston Transportation Department to install a Bluebikes station onsite. This project will add green space to the site and incorporate design elements to improve on-site stormwater management and reduce the risk of flooding, such as reducing impervious surfaces, increasing the amount of greenery and incorporating green infrastructure. It will also be built to reduce heat island impact in the neighborhood. In addition, the project will contribute $75,000 to the Boston Parks and Recreation Department for the upkeep of Ringer Park. As part of the community benefits for this project, it will contribute $1.8 million in Linkage fees towards affordable housing, and $346,550 towards jobs training.

Research and development project at 287 Western Avenue brings community space, pedestrian and bike safety improvements to Allston

Work: Approximately 305 permanent jobs  and 124 construction jobs

Connect: Public co-working space, protected bike lane and pedestrian connection

Sustain: Over 90% fossil fuel reduction, LEED Gold

This project will revitalize an underutilized site in Allston and help return jobs and revenue to the neighborhood through its mix of uses. The ground level of this approximately 90,000-square-foot office and research and development building is intended to be a co-working and meeting space for the public while the site will continue to be home to an EMS substation. To align with the Western Avenue Corridor and Rezoning Study (WACRZ), this project will be set back along Western Avenue to create a planting zone and a low-stress separated bike lane along the road. Two curb cuts on Western Avenue will be eliminated to create a safe, continuous pedestrian and bike pathway. Along with wider sidewalks, there will be a large, publicly accessible plaza as part of the public realm improvements for this project. In support of climate change preparedness, the project is committed to increasing the site’s tree canopy to reduce heat island effect. The project will also provide space for a bikeshare station.

1334 Dorchester Avenue project will revamp retail and office facility in Dorchester

Work: 20 permanent employees, family-owned, long-term local business

Connect: More than 4,000 square feet of new green space, trees onsite, approximately 33 construction jobs and 60 permanent jobs

Sustain: Complete conversion to heat pumps, photovoltaic (PV) installation on roof

This project on Dorchester Avenue will demolish and reconstruct portions of the existing retail, storage, and office facility. It will maintain the character and extent of operations and structures existing at the site. This project site is in front of an MBTA bus stop, with the Fields Corner T stop about a half mile away, along with other bus lines. Architecturally, the project will enhance the building’s appearance with a new facade and greenspace.

In addition to these projects, the board approved:

• The Notice of Project Change at 100-114 Hampden Street to reconfigure interior space and modify the programming with a more diverse mix of retail on the ground level.
• The Notice of Project Change at 804 East Seventh Street to reduce the number of units, reconfigure the interior of the building, and for a change of ownership.
• The disbursement of a total of $200,000 from the Harvard-Allston Partnership Fund to 26 non-profit community organizations throughout the City.