Development News This Week

The South Boston Dorchester Avenue Corridor draft plan comment deadline is June 22, 2016.  To view the revised draft plan and submit your comments click here. The Dorchester Ave. Corridor Plan community planning process began in September 2015 with a tour and monthly workshops. Read earlier articles. 

Pier 4 Phase 3

Pier 4 Phase 3 Public Meeting
June 23, 2016
6:30pm - 7:30pm
All Seasons Gathering Room, 100 Pier 4 Boulevard

The Boston Redevelopment Autority (BRA) is hosting a public meeting to discuss Tishman Speyer's (the "Developer") proposal, as submitted in the Fourth Amendment to Planned Development Area # 64 and the First Notice of Project Change to Pier 4 Phase 3 to remove 33,767 square feet of under water land from Planned Development Area # 64 and facilitate the off-site construction of approximately twenty-two units of affordable senior housing at 5 Major Michael J. O'Connor Way in South Boston. A public comment period will be open until July 8, 2016 to facilitate discussion of these changes, 

BRA To Launch New Website 
The BRA will be launching a new website to define the future of the agency and to reflect reforms identified under the Walsh administration.  Over the course of 14 weeks with the assistance of Continuum, a locally-based leading global design consultancy, the BRA will be gathering feedback from all stakeholders including residents. More details at nextbra.org and on Twitter #nextBRA. 

Dot Avenue Corridor Plan: Placemaking & Mobility Workshop

Join the Boston Redevelopment Authority on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 from 5:30 - 6:00 PM for networking and an open house on the Dorchester Avenue Corridor Plan. Then from 6:00 - 8:00 PM participate in a Placemaking and Mobility workshop, which will focus on the future character of the study area and various components of the emerging plan. The meeting will take place at the Mass Bay Credit Union located at 147 West Fourth St in South Boston. This is the sixth workshop of the Dorchester Avenue Corridor planning process. More details on the Dot Ave Corridor Plan.

Dot Avenue Corridor Plan: Design Workshop

Join the Boston Redevelopment Authority on:

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

5:30–6:00 PM: Open House and Networking

6:00–8:00 PM: Design workshop

195 Old Colony Rd

The workshop will focus on the future character, density and open space within the study area.

This workshop is the fifth and final workshop in this phase of public planning meetings for the Dorchester Avenue corridor in South Boston.

A Dot Ave. Design Recap Session & Dialogue will be held on Monday, December 14th at 6PM at the same meeting location. There will be also be a conversation about the elements and components of a draft plan.

More details on the Dot Ave Corridor Plan.

originally posted 11.10.15

Dot Avenue Corridor Plan: Streets & Blocks Workshop

Update: Next meeting dates are November 17, Tuesday 6 pm - 8 pm "Draw with Us" Workshop and December 14, Monday 6 pm - 8 pm "What we Heard" - Recap Session.

In a follow up to October 1st's Dorchester Avenue Corridor Plan Visioning Workshop, the Boston Redevelopment Authority is holding a Streets & Blocks Workshop on:

Monday, October 26, 2015

6 pm - 8 pm

Iron Workers Local 7

195 Old Colony Road

The community is invited to come together to begin creating planning scenarios that will include new streets and blocks, and future land uses in the study area.

This is the fourth in the series of Dot Ave Corridor Plan public events, which have included a Visioning Workshop, a Walk & Bike Tour and the Open House launch. 

originally posted 10.20.15, updated 10.26.15

Dorchester Ave. Visioning Workshop

The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) invites you to attend a visioning workshop to prioritize feedback received from the Walk/Bike Tour and Open House, and to begin shaping a vision statement for the plan on: 

Thursday, October 1

6:00 pm

Iron Workers Local 7, 195 Old Colony Ave

orginally published 9.23.15

Walk or Bike Dorchester Ave With The BRA

UPDATE: Due to Thursday's rain forecast, tour will be Monday, September 14th at 5:30 pm.

Grab your walking shoes or bike and join Boston Redevelopment Authority staff for a tour of the Dorchester Avenue study area to continue the dialogue about priority items that the Dorchester Avenue Corridor project plan can address. 

Both tours will leave from the parking lot at 195 Old Colony Avenue at 5:30 PM on September 10th. Participants should register for one: either the walking tour or the bicycle tour. Register now.

Please check the project website for updates on weather-related cancellations.Rain date will be September 14th, 2015 at 5:30 PM, departing from 195 Old Colony Avenue.

What to learn more about the Dorchester Avenue Corridor project? Read this related article.

South Boston - Dorchester Avenue Corridor Open House

Update: Open House notes available here. 

The BRA is launching a process to create a new vision and plan for the Dorchester Avenue corridor area in South Boston. Residents, property owners, business owners, community and civic groups are invited to this open house event to learn more about the study, the area, and how to get involved.

July 30, 2015

5pm - 8pm

Iron Workers Local 7 Building

195 Old Colony Avenue

In South Boston, the Dorchester Avenue corridor from Andrew Square to Broadway Station is undergoing a shift away from traditional manufacturing and industrial uses, as demand for residential and mixed-use development increases. Situated between two major Red Line stations and bus hubs, the corridor is ripe for transit-oriented development. The goal of the South Boston study will be to create new zoning that aligns the aspirations of the community with predictable development conditions.

Dorchester Avenue’s underutilized light industrial buildings will be the primary focus. The BRA will look to residents for ideas on how such properties could be transformed to contribute more positively to the corridor in the future. The study will suggest strategies for improving access to retail and developing affordable housing to meet the needs of local families, in addition to public realm improvements, traffic mitigation, and other economic development opportunities.

The Dorchester Avenue study area encompasses a portion of South Boston’s largest residential zoning district. The so-called H-1-50 zone, which touches Andrew Square, will be analyzed in hopes of updating antiquated zoning to allow for reasonable increases in density that would accommodate population growth. 

Based on resounding feedback from neighborhood residents and South Boston’s elected officials, Mayor Walsh has asked the BRA to work with the community so that any new zoning recommendations maintain the character of this residential district and place a renewed emphasis on architectural continuity.

originally posted 7.16.15

Artists for Humanity Expansion Project Update

Based upon feedback from the June 23, 2015 community meeting, Artists for Humanity revised their Epicenter expansion project. View revised project presentation. The comment deadline is July 31st. Comments may be sent to Christopher Tracy, Project Manager, BRA.

Artists For Humanity Expansion Community Meeting

Update: Public comment period extended to July 31, 2015. Comments may be sent to Christopher Tracy, Project Manager, BRA.

The Boston Redevelopment Authority is hosting a public meeting regarding the proposed Artists For Humanity EpiCenter expansion on: 

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

7 pm - 9 pm

Artists For Humanity

100 West Second St

Artists For Humanity proposes to expand its existing 24,000 sq ft EpiCenter by adding approximately 57,000 sq ft of new studios, studio partners and retail space. For details, read the expanded project notification. 

Fan Pier Civic and Cultural Use Program Public Meeting

The Boston Redevelopment Authority is hosting a community meeting to present certain changes to the civic and cultural use program at the Fan Pier Development site.

May 21, 2015

6 pm - 8 pm

Institute of Contemporary Art

100 Northern Ave Boston, MA 02210 

The City of Boston’s long-standing planning objectives for the South Boston Waterfront District include a broad mix of uses tied together with an inviting pedestrian scale including continuous public access along the waterfront on the Harborwalk system. The mix of uses include commercial, residential, hotel, retail, open space and civic development. The waterfront and Harborwalk are to be enriched by parks, overlooks, civic uses and cultural facilities.

The call for civic and cultural facilities was underscored through the approval of the South Boston Waterfront Municipal Harbor Plan. Pursuant to that plan, 127,000 sf of new civic uses along the South Boston waterfront were authorized to balance the scale of new private development along the water’s edge.

The assemblage of open space and new civic and cultural facilities are the kind of special public destinations that will help transform the South Boston waterfront into a vibrant and popular year-round public destination.

The South Boston waterfront is evolving into a strong civic and cultural district with facilities located both along the water’s edge and within the neighborhood. These destinations include the Artists for Humanity, Midway Artist Studios, Fort Point Artists community, Boston Children’s Museum, Boston Tea Party Museum, Moakley Federal Courthouse, and the Institute of Contemporary Art (“ICA”).

The ICA is a standalone symbol of the City’s planning objectives to enhance the edges of Boston Harbor with cultural facilities, bold architecture, public attractions and open space. The ICA has drawn 2 million visitors to the South Boston Waterfront since opening its doors in December 2006.

Proposed changes to the civic and cultural use program at the Fan Pier Development site include increasing the total gross square feet of civic and cultural uses from 107,000 square feet to 111,000 square feet, allowing the ICA‘s expansion into adjoining Building I, and consolidating 17,166 square feet into Building D for a program proposed by The Boston Children’s Museum, The New England Aquarium and the Boston Harbor Island’s Alliance. 

FPNA March 2015 Neighborhood Meeting

The Fort Point Neighborhood Association

Monthly Meeting for the Neighborhood

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

6pm

Factory 63

63 Melcher Street

6 pm General Meeting

Neighborhood Updates & Discussion

including a presentation by

Rachel Borgatti, Friends of Fort Point Channel

Fort Point Community Branding Update

and special offers by

Bee's Knees 

The Lyric Stage

7:00 pm Featured Guest

Mark McGonagle

Community Affairs Liaison
Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA)

The New BRA: Transparency, Community Process 

& Boston 2030

originally published 3.18.15

Electric Bill Too High? Resources From Greenovate Boston

Greenovate Boston offers Bostonians resources to reduce your electric bill, and climate change initiatives and news.

Are Competitive Electricity Suppliers Likely to Save Me Money?
With electricity prices 29-37% higher this winter than during the fall, Mayor Walsh is working with the utilities to provide relief. Due to the rate increase, many residents are thinking about whether a competitive electricity supplier is likely to save them money. To learn more about why rates have jumped and what to consider if you're thinking about switching power supplier,  read here...

Eversource and Renew Boston Energy Efficiency Kit Limited Time Offer: Bostonians can receive a home kit for $15—a retail value of $100! Order here...

Finalists Announced for Boston Living with Water Competition
Architects, urban planners, designers, climate change advocates, and policymakers got a unique glimpse into what a more resilient and sustainable Boston might look like in the face of sea level rise last week. While the 50 submitted proposals show an impressive range of potential climate change solutions, they all have one thing in common; they all embrace sea level rise as an opportunity to enhance, rather than detract from, Boston's built environment. In addition to the 9 jury-selected finalists, there were also People's Choice Award winners for each site category, as determined by online voting. Read here to learn more about the competition and its finalists

New Sustainable Development Projects in the Pipeline for Boston
Last week, the Boston Redevelopment Authority approved over $490 million in new development that will provide almost 800 housing units and create 770 construction jobs throughout Boston. Better yet, they add to the list of Boston's recent wins in green and sustainable development patterns. This innovative planning will certainly add to Boston's green efforts and put us one step closer to our climate goals. Read more...

FPNA Presents Olympics in Fort Point: An Initial Discussion

The Fort Point Neighborhood Association (FPNA) resumes their monthly neighborhood meeting series with special guest John Fitzgerald, City of Boston's Director of Olympic Operations. 

If you are not yet familiar with the Boston 2024 Olympic concept for Fort Point, please take a look at Boston 2024 Olympic venue plan ( pages 34-41).

Fort Point neighbors are invited to engage in an initial discussion of the benefits and impact of Boston 2024 Olympics in Fort Point on: 

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Boston Children's Museum

via 308 Congress Street
Dewey/Suess Conference Rooms, 5th floor 

R.S.V.P. (required)
  

Boston 2024

Olympics In Fort Point

An initial discussion of benefits and impact

featuring

John FitzGerald

Director of Olympic Operations

City of Boston

with

Richard McGuiness

Deputy Director for Waterfront Planning

Boston Redevelopment Authority

 7:00 pm General Meeting & Neighborhood Updates

originally published 2.19.15

BRA Call For Community Benefits Proposals

The Boston Redevelopment Authority releases a new community benefits application for the 371-401 D Street Development. The development approved the construction of two hotels with a combined 500 rooms and a 1,350 space parking garage. One of the negotiated agreements between the BRA, the Design Advisory Committee consisting of South Boston residents, and the developer was a community benefit payment of $630,000. The BRA has received that money and is preparing to release $400,000 for proposals from eligible non profit organizations in the South Boston community.

For this project, the BRA is piloting a new application process which if successful will be used as a tool for future community benefits distribution. The top priority of the new community benefits application is to add transparency and predictability to the process of allocating these type of funds.

Applications are due April 21, 2015. 

Learn more and download the application

This is the latest policy change at the BRA to create more transparency. Additional improvements were recently announced in the BRA's 2014 year in review.

Contact: Kimberly Burson, Office of Jobs and Community Services

9 Channel Center Community Meeting Confirmed For February 4th

Update: The 9 Channel Center meeting is confirmed for tonight. 

The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) announced that the 9 Channel Center public community meeting regarding a proposed notice of project change from residential/ground floor retail to office/ground floor retail use will be held on its new date, Wednesday, February 4, 2015 from 6 pm - 8 pm at the Lewis Gallery at Artists For Humanity located at 100 W. Second Street. The comment period is extended to February 9th. Email your comments to BRA Project Manager, Gary Uter.

originally posted 1.29.15

Fort Point Channel Operations Board 2015 Grant Program Announced

The Fort Point Channel Operations Board is pleased to announce a grant program for 2015. The Grant Program provides financial resources for capital improvements and public programming within and along the Fort Point Channel as envisioned in the City of Boston’s Fort Point Channel Watersheet Activation Plan.

The Fort Point Channel Operations Board expects to award up to $50,000 in total funding for the 2015 Grant Program.  Applicants can request up to $50,000 in funding. 

Applications are due 5:00 p.m. February 20, 2015. Click here for the application form and guidelines.

Outreach assistance for the grant program is provided by Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Julie Burros, Chief of Arts and Culture for the City of Boston.

Crossroads Initiative Community Meeting

The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) will be holding a community meeting to discuss the progress of the Crossroads Initiative on Summer and Congress Streets on: 

Monday, September 8, 2014

6pm -8pm

Factory 63

63 Melcher St (Melcher & A Sts) 

The Crossroads Initiative in the Fort Point Channel will accent the connection between South Station and the Rose Kennedy Greenway and the Fort Point Channel via Summer St. It will add new street lighting, street trees and other landscaping, improved pedestrian accessibility and a 2-way cycle track to Summer Street.  On Congress St, the project will focus on accessibility and consistency of materials including pavement, crosswalks, and lighting as well as providing better vehicular access and signalization to facilitate this important connection between South Boston, the interstate highway system, truck routes, and Downtown.

The last Crossroads community update occurred at the FPNA monthly neighborhood meeting on April 29, 2014. 

If you have any questions, please contact Jonathan Greeley, Senior Infrastructure and Public Realm Planner, BRA at jonathan.greeley(at)boston.gov.

originally posted 8/19/14

New Residential Project Approved for South Boston

The BRA Board approves $160 million in new projects including a residential project in South Boston at 30 B Street.

Total Project Cost: $13,000,000
Total SF: 40,060
Construction Jobs: 39

The BRA Board approved the construction of 32 condominiums, four of which will be affordable units, at 30 B Street in South Boston. The project at the corner of B Street and West Sixth Street will raze three existing one-story structures to make way for a five-story residential building that includes 33 on-site and off-street parking spaces, enclosed bicycle parking, and open space improvements. The transit-oriented development will be within walking distance of the Broadway Station on the MBTA Red Line and will be served by three bus lines that provide transportation to downtown Boston, Cambridge, and other areas of South Boston.

As currently proposed, the development includes ten one-bedroom units, fourteen two-bedroom units, and eight three-bedroom units. In addition to the four on-site affordable units, the developer will contribute $40,000 to the City’s Inclusionary Development Policy Fund for affordable housing.

GFC Development, Inc is the project developer, and Embarc Studio Architecture + Design is the architect

source: Boston Redevelopment Authority

BRA Approves 23 Residential Units for Purchase on A Street

On June 19, 2014 the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) approved the redevelopment of 39 A Street at Silver Street (between W. Broadway and W. Fourth Streets) in South Boston. The project will replace a single-story building with a five-story residential building.

39 A Street will create 23 home ownership units, three of which will be affordable. The project will include 30 parking spaces on the ground floor level of the project and bicycle storage space for residents. As a public benefit, the developer will widen the public sidewalks along A and Silver Streets and plant new street trees.

 The project developer is East Way Development, LLC and Tim Johnson Architect, LLC is the project architect. Construction is planned to begin in the fall of 2014.

As reported in an earlier post, the BRA held a community meeting on the project on April 22nd. 

Source: Boston Redevelopment Authority

The Innovation and Design Building Community Meeting #2

The Boston Redevelopment Authority will host a public meeting regarding:

Boston Design Center

(“The Innovation and Design Building”)

Wednesday, June 19th, 6:30PM - 8:00PM

22 Drydock Avenue, 3rd Floor Conference Room

Project Description: An Expanded Project Notification Form (“Expanded PNF”) was filed by Jamestown, L.P (the “Proponent”) on May 15, 2014 for the proposed redevelopment of the Bronstein Center and Boston Design Center to be known as “The Innovation and Design Builidng” (the “IDB Project”), located on Drydock Avenue in the Boston Marine Industrial Park in South Boston.

The IDB Project proposes the conversion or reclassification of 206,388 square feet of interior space to commercial use and associated improvements to the existing buildings, parking, loading, access and other site and facade improvements.

Public Comments Due: Monday, June 30, 2014

mail to: SONAL GANDHI
BOSTON REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
ONE CITY HALL SQUARE, 9TH FLOOR
BOST
ON, MA 02201
phone: 617-918-4314
email: Sonal.Gandhi(at)boston.gov

Updated 6.4.14 to reflect 2nd meeting. First meeting held May, 28, 2014