The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) has given the greenlight for renovating Dorchester’s St. Mary’s Center for Women and Children to create 122 new residential units.

St. Mary’s is located in the former St. Margaret’s Hospital at 90 Cushing Ave. Located close to Dorchester’s Uphams Corner, more than 500 women and children receive support annually through its Dorchester and East Boston facilities offering shelter, clinical and educational assistance, job training employment placement and help securing permanent housing. 

Approved by the BPDA at its February meeting, the project includes demolition of both the parking garage and transitional housing building on St. Mary’s Campus to make room for the new income-restricted housing.

Once complete, it will include 71 permanent supportive housing units, which will be a mix of two- and three-bedroom units, as well as 51 renovated shelter units. The center will continue to operate during construction. 

The transit-oriented project is close to public transportation and other resources, including a Boston Public Library branch, grocery and retail stores.