BOSTON–The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board of Directors approved seven development projects at the September board meeting. The projects will generate 181 residential units with 30 affordable units, and represent an estimated $51.5 million in investments and 221,600 square feet, the agency said in a statement.
The approvals included a Notice of Project Change (NPC) for the Artists for Humanity EpiCenter, which will result in three additional stories totaling approximately 29,300 gross square feet. Artists for Humanity (AFH) is committed to designing and building a pioneering, sustainable expansion of the EpiCenter, targeting to become New England’s first Energy Positive (E+) commercial structure. The expansion will increase employment of high school-aged teens, develop vocational programs in technology-based arts media and trades, engage the community through a fully-equipped maker’s studio and a unique community-based space dedicated to the urban youth experience, connect youth to partnerships with local universities, work with the South Boston Historical Society on providing space to display their collection of archives, provide opportunities for South Boston adults and seniors to become involved in AFH programs and more.
54 Pleasant Street approval to bring 17 condominium units to Dorchester
Live: 17 housing units, 15 market rate, two affordable
Work: 40 construction jobs, $7 million in investments, $42,000 in IDP Fund contributions
Connect: $15,000 to Project D.E.E.P.
Project Size: 22,530 square feet
The 54 Pleasant Street project proposes a three-story residential building with 17 condominium units and two Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) units. In addition, there will be 20 on-site garage parking spaces. Bicycle storage and a trash/recycling room will be located within the building. As currently proposed, there will be a mix of five one-bedroom units, nine two-bedroom units, and three three-bedroom units.
This project will also provide a number of community benefits for the Dorchester neighborhood and the City of Boston, including a $15,000 contribution to Project D.E.E.P., a nonprofit established in 1995 with the mission to foster the educational, athletic and social growth and development of middle school children of all races, creeds and ethnic backgrounds.
Mixed-use residential and commercial development to come to Mattapan with 1199-1203 Blue Hill Avenue approval
Live: 21 homeownership units, three affordable housing units
Work: 55 restaurant seats, new retail/restaurant space, $12 million in investments
Connect: Storage space for 25 bicycles, 22 off-street parking spaces
Project Size: 41,516 square feet
The 1199-1203 Blue Hill Avenue approval will bring a mixed-use residential and commercial development to Mattapan. The proposed project will include a new four-story building with 21 homeownership units, 3,000 square feet of retail space, 2,800 square feet of restaurant space, 22 underground garage parking spaces and covered storage for 25 bicycles within the underground parking garage. The preliminary unit breakdown is three one-bedroom units and 18 two-bedroom units, three of these total units will be IDP. In addition, the developer will make a $5,000 contribution to the City of Boston’s Parks and Recreation Department Fund for Parks.
New England Heritage Homes affordable homeownership project bringing 16 units to Codman Square
Live: 16 affordable, mixed-income, fee-simple single family housing units
Work: A quarter mile from the Talbot Ave. station along the Fairmount Line
Connect: Located within the Dorchester Eco-Innovation District
Project Size: 26,763 square feet
The New England Heritage Homes (NEHH) project is an affordable homeownership project consisting of 16 mixed-income units on an existing group of seven parcels of land. The parcels are located near the intersection of New England Avenue, Mallard Avenue, Colonial Avenue, and Southern Avenue in the Talbot Norfolk Triangle neighborhood of Codman Square in Dorchester. Of the seven existing parcels, two are City-owned vacant lots located within Dorchester’s Eco-Innovation District (EID).
This project will create new affordable opportunities for moderate income homebuyers in the Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation’s (CSNDC) service area. Developed by Codman Community Development, Inc. (a subsidiary of CSNDC), the NEHH project is part of a larger effort of the Fairmount Indigo CDC Collaborative, in which CSNDC, Dorchester Bay EDC (DBEDC), and Southwest Boston CDC (SWBCDC) have targeted development opportunities near existing and planned stops on the MBTA Fairmount commuter rail line.
Roxbury’s 13 Shetland Street approval to generate 57 rental units
Live: 57 housing units, 50 market rate, seven affordable units, seven units with accessibility design features
Work: 60 construction jobs, $11 million in investments, $46,000 in capital improvements
Connect: Clifford Park improvements, open space courtyard, enclosed bicycle storage
Project Size: 49,693 square feet
The 13 Shetland Street project will bring a four-story, residential development to Roxbury. The project will include 57 rental units, made up of seven IDP units. There will be a 27 studio units, 18 one-bedroom units, and 12 two-bedroom units. The proposal also includes seven units built either handicapped-accessible or with hearing impaired design features. In addition, the development will have garage parking for up to 52 spaces with vehicular access via Shetland Street. Bicycle storage and a trash/recycling room will be located within the ground-level of the building.
This project will also provide many community benefits for the Roxbury neighborhood and the City of Boston. A total of $46,000 is allotted toward making capital improvements at Clifford Park located at 171 Norfolk Avenue in Roxbury, which is one block north of the project. The capital improvements will be completed in coordination with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department.
33-39 Ward Street to bring 14 condominium units to South Boston
Live: 14 housing units, 12 market rate units, two affordable units
Work: 40 construction jobs, $6 million in investments
Connect: Five minute walk to Andrew Station
Project Size: 20,795 square feet
The 33-39 Ward Street building will contain 14 condominium units, with 12 market rate units and two IDP units. There will be a mix of 13 two-bedroom units and one three-bedroom unit. In addition, there will be 15 on-site garage parking spaces with vehicular access via Preble Street. Bicycle storage and a trash/recycling room will be located within the ground-level of the building.
60 market rate and affordable units approved for 270 Baker Street in West Roxbury
Live: 8 affordable units
Work: 100 construction jobs
Connect: 60 bike units, access to bus and commuter rail
Project Size: 82,589 square feet
This residential project will bring 60 one and two bedroom homeownership units of which 52 will be market rate and 8 will be income restricted to 270 Baker Street in West Roxbury. Four of the IDP units will be made affordable to households earning not more than 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) and four units will be made affordable to households earning greater than 80 percent of AMI but not more than 100 percent of AMI.
The site is currently occupied by a three story commercial office building and is bounded to the north by the MBTA Commuter Rail Corridor, to the east by Catholic Memorial High School’s Athletic Fields, to the south by the Gardner Street Neighborhood and to the west/southwest by retail and commercial office uses.
The majority of the 105 residential parking spaces will be provided in sub level parking under the residential building. Three additional surface parking will be available for visitor parking in parallel spaces on the interior driveway network. Site access currently from the VFW Parkway and Simbroco Street will be maintained. Deliveries and loading for residents moving in will be incorporated into the surface parking areas. The total development cost is expected to be approximately $14.2 million.
