BOSTON–The Planning Department this month recommended approval of the transfer of the IDP program to the Mayor’s Office of Housing, and five new development projects to the BPDA Board, including the renovation of White Stadium.
All were approved. The newly approved development projects represent approximately 459,266 square feet (SF). The new projects will create 484 residential units, including 99 units that are designated income-restricted, and will support approximately 441 construction jobs and 58 permanent jobs. These projects will make Boston a more resilient, affordable, and equitable city.
Development Projects
White Stadium project to renovate and rebuild historic stadium for expanded BPS and community use with support from Boston Unity Soccer Partners
Jobs: Prioritizing M/WBE contracts with a special focus on local businesses
Community: More than triple annual programmable hours for BPS and community use, upgraded amenities for community events, designed in line with Franklin Park Action Plan, annual community benefits fund
Sustainability: LEED Gold, 1 of only 3 Net Zero Carbon stadiums in the country, electric shuttle service commitment, public transportation-focused plan
Located within Franklin Park, this project will renovate, rebuild, and reimagine White Stadium for BPS athletics through a unique community oriented public-private partnership with Boston Unity Soccer Partners. White Stadium, built in 1945, has been a cornerstone for Boston athletes and community members. However, decades of disinvestment and fire damage have left it in disrepair, lacking current safety codes and amenities for BPS athletics. In order to ensure this stadium will be a functional and significant amenity for the public, Boston Unity will rebuild the West Grandstand, as well as add new amenities on site, and the City of Boston will invest $50 million to rebuild the East Grandstand. Together, this project will create a world-class stadium for use by BPS students, community members, and a professional women’s soccer team. Boston Unity will maintain the renovated areas, freeing up City funds for other priorities.
“This is a major milestone for a project that is decades overdue, finally giving BPS student athletes and community a beautiful new home at White Stadium” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “This approval delivers greatly expanded hours of BPS and community use, world-class athletic and community facilities, more than an acre of additional green space opened up to the public, and guaranteed annual funding to invest in Franklin Park. I’m grateful to all the community leaders and partner organizations who continue to help us guide and improve this project that our students, neighbors, and park lovers will enjoy.”
Extensive community feedback has shaped the project, with more than 50 public and small group meetings and thousands of public comments over two years incorporated into the design and operational plans. The project will maintain a high level of engagement moving forward to ensure the renovation offers more open public space, enhanced amenities for community events, and closely aligns with the recommendations of the Franklin Park Action Plan. Additional community benefits include professional development opportunities and scholarships for BPS students, a $500K annual community benefits fund, and a commitment to a 50 percent threshold for M/WBEs and local businesses. This project will provide BPS with its first professional grass field, greatly expand public access hours, and serve as the home stadium for up to 20 National Women’s Soccer League game days for Boston’s first professional women’s soccer team.
Project at 112-114 Queensberry Street will build fully affordable homes in Fenway
Housing: 24 units, 100 percent income-restricted
Jobs: Approximately 18 construction jobs
Community: 97 transit score, 18 resident bike parking spaces
Sustainability: LEED Silver
Located in Fenway, this project will turn a vacant commercial building into a six-story, 24 unit residential building. All of the units will be income-restricted at 30 percent AMI or 60 percent AMI. Three units will be set aside for formerly homeless individuals and families. Residents will have access to an indoor bike storage room with 18 spaces. As a transit-oriented development, there are multiple MBTA bus routes nearby, as well as the D and E branches of the Green Line. The Emerald Necklace and Ramler Park are nearby green spaces available for residents.
Project at 2 Charlesgate West to build new housing in Fenway
Housing: 400 residential units, 68 income-restricted units
Jobs: Approximately 297 construction jobs, 2,400 sq. ft. of retail space
Community: 2 Bluebikes stations, public restroom, 20 percent of site dedicated to public realm
Sustainability: 100 percent electric systems, LEED Silver
This project will bring 400 residential units, including 68 income-restricted, and 2,400 square feet of retail space to the Fenway neighborhood. There will be 14,000 square feet of shared space for residents, including an indoor lounge, co-working space, a gym, communal kitchen, and roof decks. Another part of the project includes an accessible public bathroom for nearby park visitors. The project will make a $500,000 contribution to the Fund for Parks Boston Parks & Recreation to support open space close to the site. The project will also support tree care in the area with a $200,000 contribution to the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation and a $30,000 contribution to the Fund for Boston Parks & Recreation. To support lighting infrastructure near the Leif Erikson Statue on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, the project will contribute $40,000.00, and $300,000 will be contributed to the Fenway Community Development Corporation.
470 and 470A Western Avenue project to bring housing to Brighton
Housing: 39 residential units, seven income-restricted
Jobs: Approximately 40 construction jobs
Community: Long-term transportation improvements including a low-stress bike lane
Sustainability: LEED Gold
This project will turn an underutilized lot in Brighton into a six-story building with 39 residential units, including seven which will be income-restricted. Along with new housing, this project will bring new landscaping and public realm improvements to the neighborhood. New sidewalks will be put in along the project site and certain light poles will be moved to enhance walkability. To support alternative modes of transportation, 49 bike parking spaces will be installed, and a one-time $10,725 contribution will be made to the Boston Transportation Department to support Bluebikes. A low-stress bike lane on Western Avenue and a raised crosswalk at Kelly Court will also be installed. In terms of green space, six new trees will also be planted on site.
1905-1911 Centre Street project will build 21 new homes
Housing: 21 homeownership units
Jobs: Approximately 20 construction jobs, retail space
Community: Improved public realm, new green space
Sustainability: 250 sq. ft. of bicycle parking
This West Roxbury project will convert a site with two vacant buildings into 21 new homes and retail space. Each of these homes will have two bedrooms. As a transit-oriented development, this project will be in close proximity to MBTA bus routes and Commuter Rail service. In support of the City’s bikeshare system, this project will contribute $6,201 to the Boston Transportation Department. In addition, this project will enhance the public realm on site, and add new green space.
In addition to these projects, the board approved:
- The extension of the Downtown Office to Residential Conversion Program through 2025.
- An update to the previously approved Fenway Corners West project which would make the site bigger, and add another building within the site.
- The authority to transfer the compliance of existing Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) affordable housing units from the Planning Department to the Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH). This is a large part of achieving Mayor Wu’s vision for planning and development in Boston, in partnership with the establishment of the City of Boston’s new Planning Department. As part of the establishment of the Planning Department, the housing compliance staff in charge of the IDP Program have been transferred to work under the Mayor’s Office of Housing within the last year. Housing compliance staff monitors and enforces obligations under affordable housing agreements entered into under IDP. Since those staff members now work within MOH, the BPDA and MOH have agreed that all affordable housing agreements entered into under IDP should be formally and legally assigned to MOH.
