First office to residential conversion moves forward under City program
The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board of Directors Thursday took a major step forward in the Squares + Streets planning and zoning initiative, approving an amendment to the Zoning Code with new zoning districts which will serve as a range of options for neighborhood centers and main streets across the City. The Board also approved six new development projects representing approximately 2.6 million square feet (SF). The new projects will create 147 residential units, 135 units, or 92 percent of these units are designated income-restricted, and will support approximately 2,325 construction jobs and 4,251 permanent jobs. These projects will make Boston a more resilient, affordable, and equitable city.
1033-1055 Washington Street project in the South End will build new office, life science, and retail space
Live: $6.3 million in Linkage towards affordable housing
Work: Approximately 763 construction jobs, approximately 1,823 permanent jobs, $1.2 million in Linkage towards jobs training
Connect: $5 million in public realm improvements, close proximity to public transportation.
Sustain: LEED Gold, sea level rise resilient, parking for EVs
This project will convert what is currently a vacant warehouse and parking lot in the South End into two new mixed-use buildings comprised of office, life science, retail, and community space. In addition, the development will include space set aside as cultural space, or as space for a startup business. This development will include 266 bike parking spaces for building tenants and visitors, and contribute $164,640 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the City's bikeshare program. The new development will include significant improvements to the public realm like new street trees, a pedestrian plaza, and improvements to sidewalks, traffic flow, and accessibility.
Project at 716 Columbus Place will renovate Northeastern University administrative building
Work: Mail center for Northeastern University, Northeastern University Police headquarters
Connect: Public realm improvements to Benton Street, approximately 30 construction jobs
Sustain: LEED Silver
This project will take a seven-story Northeastern University building and renovate the first five floors and basement. This building houses a mail distribution center, the Northeastern University Police Headquarters, office space, study space and meeting spaces. Public realm and transportation improvements will be made to Benton Street to mitigate the impacts of the mailroom operations. The pedestrian experience down Benton Street will be improved by reconstructing sidewalks and curb ramps as the project formalizes the mailroom loading zone. This project will support the City's bikeshare program with a contribution of $14,280 to the Boston Transportation Department.
Project at 290 Tremont Street to build new affordable housing on BPDA-owned land
Live: 132 income-restricted housing units, 36 homeownership opportunities
Work: Approximately 153 construction jobs
Connect: Adjacent to Tufts Medical Center Orange Line MBTA stop
Sustain: LEED Gold and Passive House Certification
This project will create 132 income-restricted housing units, including 36 homeownership units in the Chinatown neighborhood. The site is owned by the BPDA and is currently used as a parking lot. The BPDA awarded tentative designation to the Asian Community Development Corporation and The Community Builders to redevelop the parcel (P12C) in 2023. This will be a transit-oriented development, as it is located in close proximity to the MBTA Orange Line and is walking distance from other MBTA lines, buses, and the Commuter Rail. The 12-story building will be divided into 34 one-bedroom apartments, 76 two-bedroom units, and 22 three-bedroom units. More than 100 bike parking spaces will be available for residents and visitors. There will also be commercial/community space to help activate the ground floor. The development will also create new public open space with new trees, and provide more lighting and landscape elements to increase walkability around the site. Additionally, a crosswalk will be added to Tremont Street. The project will also contribute a Bluebikes station on site.
840 Columbus Avenue project will build new student housing for Northeastern University
Live: Beds for approximately 1,200+ students, social lounge, fitness center, academic success center
Work: Approximately 452 construction jobs
Connect: Ground floor community space, small business entrepreneurship network, coworking space
Sustain: LEED Gold, all electric building, Passive House certification
This new building on the Northeastern University campus will fulfill the University's ten year Institutional Master Plan by providing more than 1,000 new student beds on campus. The building will be 23 stories, accommodate approximately 1,370 students, and provide space for student amenities. In addition, there will be a dedicated community space on the ground floor. This project will contribute $1 million to the Mayor's Office of Housing to advance housing stabilization and wealth creation in the neighborhoods immediately adjacent to this project. Public realm improvements will include widening the sidewalks, a new bike lane, and more street trees. In addition, this project will contribute $188,375 to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the City's bikeshare program, as well as provide two bikeshare stations on site.