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Mixed-Use BPDA Approves new Affordable Housing in East Boston and Mattapan

from High-Profile: October 2023

from High-Profile: October 2023, page 47

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Boston – The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) board of directors recently approved new development projects that will create 82 residential units, 48 of which will be designated income-restricted, and will support approximately 96 construction jobs and nine permanent jobs.

The project at 2 Ford Street and 970 Saratoga Street in East Boston will consist of two separate 4-story, mixed use buildings. The building at 2 Ford Street will contain 27 residential units and retail space, and the building at 970 Saratoga Street will contain 14 residential units and retail space. Seven units will be income-restricted; at least one other will be considered for the City of Boston Voucher Program. The retail space is intended to be tenanted by local residents from the East Boston community. This will be a transit-oriented development, as it is in close proximity to the MBTA Blue line, and will have space for bike parking for residents and visitors. www.slchassesteelfab.com

The project at 1471 Blue Hill Avenue in Mattapan will convert a vacant lot into a 5-story residential building with 41 energy-efficient and income-restricted rental units. There will be bicycle parking spaces for residents and for visitors. In addition, this project will contribute a bike-share station on site. It will also include a community art and workroom. Approximately 43% of the project site will be open space, and there will also be a publicly accessible pocket park on site.

Located in the South End, the 1000 Washington Street project will convert an existing building from an office into new life science uses. The changes will primarily be interior to the building, but will also include some exterior changes including new thermally efficient windows, substantial changes to the exterior envelope at the 11th floor and expanded mechanical penthouse and rooftop mechanicals, increased energy efficiency measures, and minor changes to the loading dock.

The board also approved the Dorchester Bay City Planned Development Area (PDA) Master Plan which will create a blueprint for the long-term future of this area of Dorchester. The project proposes the construction of 21 buildings which would include a mix of office, research and development, residential, retail, restaurant, commercial, communi-

1000 Washington Street ty, cultural and other uses, as well as the creation of an extensive new street system to accommodate pedestrians, bicycles, and motor vehicles; more than 11 acres of public realm improvements; and the creation of more than eight acres of new open space. In support of the city’s resilience goals and due to the location of this site, buildings and the site will be raised and graded to slope appropriately to adjacent properties, and additional resiliency measures will help close two flood pathways in the neighborhood and protect the site and the neighborhood from periodic flooding.