Boston – Boston’s Planning Department recently recommended approval of three new development projects to the BPDA board. All were approved.
The 55-57 Belgrade Avenue project will create 15 new two-bedroom homes in Roslindale, two of which will be income-restricted. This will be a transit oriented development as it is in close proximity to the Roslindale Village Commuter Rail Station and is directly served by three MBTA bus routes on Belgrade Avenue. It will also offer bike parking on site. The project will make improvements to the public realm, as well as contribute $4,125 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the bikeshare system.
Located in an industrial area of West Roxbury, the 151 Rivermoor Street project will build a new warehouse and manufacturing facility on what is currently vacant land. As part of its community benefits commitment, the project will contribute $6,200 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the bikeshare system. In addition, this project will make public realm improvements by widening the sidewalks in the vicinity and planting new trees to shade the sidewalks.
151 Rivermoor Street
Located in West Roxbury, the 231-245 Grove Street project will create 30 new homes, including five that are income-restricted. There will also be retail space on the ground floor. This transit oriented development will be close to multiple MBTA bus routes and the West Roxbury Commuter Rail Station. Residents have 46 bicycle parking spaces available on the ground floor. Sidewalk and streetscape improvements will be made to Grove Street and Washington Street. Four new street trees will be planted on the site.
231-245 Grove Street
The Planning Department also recommended tentative designation to a team of three minority-led businesses and minority-led nonprofits including the Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation (DBEDC) team, Escazu Development, and Caribbean Integration Community Development, for the redevelopment of 21-29 Fernboro Street in Dorchester. The redevelopment potential of this site was enhanced by the BPDA’s acquisition of a vacant private parcel that separated two BPDA plots from two MOH plots. The new five parcel site allowed the city and community to envision a more significant affordable homeownership project. The development team’s proposal includes 12 homeownership units, a portion of which will be income-restricted, as well as bike storage and outdoor green space.
The Planning Department also requested authorization to release a new Request for Proposals (RFP) to redevelop Pier 5 in Charlestown. There has been an effort to try to redevelop Pier 5 for many years. With past engagement in mind, staff held additional public meetings this year to ensure there was consensus among the community before releasing another RFP. Currently, the pier is in “serious” condition due to advanced deterioration. The BPDA may also contribute between $7 and $8 million toward the rehabilitation or demolition of Pier 5. Redevelopment of this property will need to be consistent with PLAN: Charlestown. Community feedback has shaped the development and design guidelines of the RFP, which focus on public open space, waterfront access and education, and coastal resilience.
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In addition to these projects, the board approved:
- An update to a previously approved project at 249 Corey Road to convert rental units to homeownership units.
- An update to the previously approved Olmsted Village project to increase the amount of units.
- An update to a previously approved project at 575 Albany Street to reduce the overall amount of units and also add artist live/work units on the ground floor by reducing the originally intended amount of retail space.
- An update to a previously approved project at 392-398 Cambridge Street to convert homeownership units to rental units.
- The renewal and extension of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Institutional Master Plan.
