Six new projects have been approved by the Boston Planning & Development Agency, set to create 273 residential units in various neighborhoods across the city.
The projects are located in Fenway, Allston, Brighton, South Boston, Mattapan and East Boston.
Credit: City of Boston Planning Department
Fenway Affordable Housing
The 20 Charlesgate West project in the Fenway includes the complete renovations and modernization of the Our Lady’s Guild House, a 140-room lodging house, into an 86-unit rental building. Located in Kenmore Square, the project is the result of years of residential advocacy to purchase the building and convert it into affordable housing.
Once complete, it will include 22 permanent supportive housing units, 20 units for extremely low-income households and 39 units for households earning at or below 60% of the area median income. Additionally, five units will be set aside at below-market rents for long-term residents.
The transit oriented development is located close to the MBTA in Kenmore Square and will include 88 onsite bike parking spaces.
Credit: City of Boston Planning Department
Allston Elderly Housing
The second project, located at 279-283 North Harvard St. in Allston will create new income-restricted elderly housing. The project will include the adaptive reuse and preservation of the Hill Memorial Baptist Church as a residential and community space.
Once complete, the new four-story building will have 49 income-restricted elderly apartments.
The project, according to the filings, “aligns with planning goals by promoting affordable, accessible living options for seniors, allowing them to age in place and remain connected to their communities.”
The project will also contribute $13,475 to Boston’s transportation department to support the city’s bikeshare program.
Credit: City of Boston Planning Department
Brighton Residential Housing
In Brighton, a new project will redevelop a vacant single-family home in Brighton into 18 homeownership units, three of which will be income restricted.
The 434 Washington St. project will include ground floor retail space as well as streetscape and pedestrian experience improvements. The transit-oriented development is close to several bus routes and will offer residents onsite bike parking.
It will also make area contributions, including the addition of ADA compliant ramps at nearby crosswalks, two street trees along Foster Street and new landscaping. IT will also contribute $5,387 to the city’s bikeshare program.
Credit: City of Boston Planning Department
South Boston Housing
New housing is also coming to South Boston with the construction of a nine-story building at 49-51 D St. Once complete, it will include 70 new residential units, 12 of which will be income restricted. Along with bike parking, it will have ground floor commercial space and a publicly accessible landscaped plaza. The transit-oriented development is located close to public transportation and will have an onsite Bluebikes dock.
The project will also bring several area improvements, including new sidewalks, street trees and a pocket park onsite.
Community benefits include a $25,000 contribution to the Boston Center for Youth and Families at the BCYF Condon Community Center Council, $65,000 to various South Boston organizations to support programs that help people dealing with addiction, $59,000 to the Boston Transportation Department for the creation of a new crosswalk nearby and the installation of a new Bluebikes dock near the site, $15,000 to the Boston Public Works Department for Andrew Square beautification efforts and $10,000 to the South Boston Special Kids and Young Adults Corp.
Credit: City of Boston Planning Department
Mattapan Residential Housing
The fifth project, located at 691-695 Morton St. in Mattapan, will convert vacant land into 29 new housing units with six set aside as income restricted. The six-story building will be a mix of studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom units and will also include retail space.
Area improvements include new street trees, bike rack and pedestrian safety improvements.
The project will also contribute $29,000 to the Boston Parks and Recreation Department to support open space and $8,414 to the Boston Transportation Department for the city’s bikeshare system.
Credit: City of Boston Planning Department
East Boston Residential Housing
The final project, located at 944 Saratoga St. in East Boston, will convert a vacant lot into a four-story building. The 21 residential units will be a mix of studios and one- and two-bedroom units.
It will include improvements to the existing Saratoga Street crosswalk as well as improved safety and access to Noyes Playground.
The project will also contribute $5,775 to the Boston Transportation Department for the city’s bikeshare system.