Agenda • • • •
Overview of Article 80 Small Project Review Overview of history/timeline of the project and major issues Presentation of project concept and design Public comment and questions
Boston Redevelopment Authority Erico J. Lopez Senior Project Manager Boston Redevelopment Authority One City Hall Square Boston, MA 02201 (p) 617‐918‐4429 Erico.Lopez.BRA@cityofboston.gov
Redevelopment of Roslindale Substation & 4236 Washington Street Community Meeting January 30, 2013
Overview • Review of project background • Presentation of proposed plans • Open community discussion and feedback
Project Background
Project Background 1911 Roslindale Substation construction completed 1971 Roslindale Substation is vacated 1994 Massachusetts Historical Commission finds the Roslindale Substation, along with Roslindale Village, eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places 1999 HBI identifies Roslindale Substation as a property prime for redevelopment in its Preservation Revolving Fund Casebook 2002 RVMS and HBI join forces to initiate a feasibility study of the Roslindale Substation
Project Background 2006‐2008 – Roslindale Master Planning and Rezoning • Comprehensive community‐wide project to update zoning code • 4 well‐attended public meetings • Master planning for Roslindale Square ‐ Pedestrian and public transit orientation ‐ Reinforce “street wall” of similar heights along Washington Street ‐ Revitalize the Square with new mixed‐use residential/commercial development
2005 – MIT Parking Study 2010 – Tufts Parking Study • Available from RVMS Website • Just under 800 parking spaces (both on‐street and public & private lots) • Most public lot spaces are under‐utilized
Project Background 2006 Boston Redevelopment Authority acquires Roslindale Substation from MBTA 2009 Bid process draws three private development proposals 2010 ‐ May BRA rejects all proposals finding none to be economically feasible 2010 ‐ September BRA awards Interim Designation to Historic Boston, Inc. and Roslindale Village Main Street for one year in order to complete an examination and site assessment of the property RVMS Substation Redevelopment Task Force formed – Now includes 7 active neighborhood residents including 2 historic preservation professionals, a redevelopment attorney, and the director of Southwest Boston CDC
Project Background 2011 – Spring • RVMS & HBI host community meeting about development possibilities • RVMS & HBI open Substation for tours, collect ideas from community 2011 – Summer & Fall • Explore viable uses and advance concept of limited redevelopment of Substation for Winter farmers’ market and private event space • Complete due diligence and architectural renderings and layouts • Strategize plan for building development. • RVMS conducts public outreach and hosts additional public meetings to update community
Project Background 2012 – February • BRA awards HBI & RVMS Tentative Designation for 1 year in order to have site control to develop proposed development
2012‐2013 • Conduct more extensive exploration of Substation redevelopment costs and market for potential uses • Confirm Substation redevelopment remains extremely financially challenging • Approached by Higgins family about potential sale of their property • Interviewed 6 potential developer partners who could leverage redevelopment of Higgins parcel, consistent with Master Plan goals, to facilitate redevelopment of Substation • Select Peregrine Group because of its extensive experience and vision
Project Background 2012 ‐ December / 2013 – January • RVMS & Peregrine Group – 4 meetings with Congregational Church to refine design and explore traffic and parking concerns • 4 open‐house drop‐in sessions at RVMS office to discuss the proposed project with interested community members • Project presentation January 30, 2013 to community
Goals • Bring people into the village • Keep historical character of Substation and its main space open and with a flexible layout • Identify use that activates Substation as much of the day as possible • Develop new housing in urban core that is consistent with Master Plan