BOSTON–The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board of Directors approved development projects in neighborhoods across the City of Boston which will result in new market-rate and income-restricted residential units, economic development, and jobs.
Overall, the development projects will create an additional 182 residential units, including 26 income-restricted, 100 construction jobs, 25 direct jobs, and 53 indirect and induced jobs.
The residential projects moving forward make progress towards Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s goal of increasing affordable housing to support a strong middle-class. Mayor Walsh’s 2019 legislative agenda aims to support the creation of new affordable housing, increase access to homeownership opportunities, and prevent displacement of residents. Earlier this week, Mayor Walsh unveiled his Fiscal Year 2020 budget, which includes significant investments towards the preservation of existing affordable housing and production of new housing.
Development Projects
Approved Notice of Project Change (NPC) for Dorchester’s Dot Block includes 66 income-restricted units, 1.3 acres of open space on the project site
Live: 488 rental units, including 66 income-restricted
Work: 485 construction jobs, 37 permanent jobs
Connect: Relocation of the above-ground parking structure below grade in order to create over an acre of open space on the project site
The newly approved Dot Block project, located along Dorchester Avenue, adds 126 residential units to the first iteration of the project originally approved by the BPDA Board in May 2016. Dot Block will now consist of 488 residential units, including 66 income-restricted, across four new buildings of various heights.
Half of the 66 income-restricted units will be set aside as Neighborhood Diversity Preservation Preference units, meaning preference will be given to current residents of the surrounding community. In addition, the developer is committed to opening an office nearby where local residents may complete and receive assistance on their applications for the income-restricted units.
The NPC also includes the repositioning of the above ground parking structure to below grade to create over an acre of open space and 23,000 square feet of commercial space intended to contain neighborhood-oriented retail and restaurant uses.
Additionally, the Dot Block project is consistent with the planning and development guidelines outlined in the BPDA’s ongoing PLAN: Glover’s Corner study for this portion of the Dorchester neighborhood.
1970 Dorchester Avenue, a transit oriented project, advances with 56 housing units, 7 income restricted units and $35k in community benefits for the Dorchester neighborhood
Live: 56 housing units, 7 income restricted units
Work: 50 construction jobs, new commercial space with job opportunities available upon completion
Connect: $35,000 community benefits including funds for transportation infrastructure and community events
1970 Dorchester Avenue will consist of a five-story, mixed-use building located in Dorchester between Beale Street and Fuller Street. The building will contain 56 residential units, including 7 income-restricted units. Commercial retail space will be located on the ground floor.
The project’s transit-oriented location is in close proximity to the MBTA Red Line Ashmont station as well as multiple bus lines. There will also be 5 on-site garage parking spaces and 56 bicycle storage spaces.
The project is expected to bring $35,000 in community benefits, including public realm and transportation infrastructure improvements. The funds will also contribute to a variety of community events that take place in the Dorchester neighborhood.
Boston College Harrington Athletics Village Support Building moves forward as part of the school’s Institutional Master Plan, continuing community benefits for Allston-Brighton
Live: $771,000 approved Neighborhood Improvement Fund grants for Allston-Brighton
Work: 128 construction jobs
Connect: Addition of 8 new bike spaces
Located within Boston College’s Harrington Athletics Village, the Support Building, a 31,140 square foot, two-story structure will be built adjacent to the College’s softball and baseball fields on what is currently a surface parking lot. Locker rooms and various support spaces will be housed on the lower level, while the upper level will consist of seven practice hitting tunnels and a meeting space.
The building will be constructed as part of Boston College’s Institutional Master Plan approved by the BPDA Board and Boston Zoning Commission in 2009.
In addition, the Board approved a Notice of Project Change (NPC) for 217 Albany Street in the South End modifying the unit mix to include more multi-bedroom units than studio units. The square footage, building height and envelope will remain the same as approved by the Board in July 2018.
