BPDA Board of Directors Meeting 9/17/26
2026-09-17

[0:27] ibility of Boston residents. Hybrid
[0:29] means that our board meetings are
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[0:32] boardroom on the 9th floor and virtually
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[0:38] bostonplans.org.
[0:41] [clears throat]
[0:41] The open public meeting law requires
[0:43] that I notify the public that this
[0:44] meeting is being recorded. Please be
[0:46] aware that an audio and visual recording
[0:48] of this meeting is being made and
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[0:51] part of the City of Boston Office of
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[0:55] 26, RCN channel 13, and Verizon Files
[0:57] channel 962. It's also being livereamed
[1:00] at boston.gov/cable.
[1:02] Now, if there's anyone in the audience
[1:03] who is recording this meeting, um I just
[1:05] ask that you please identify yourself
[1:06] now. Seeing none, we'll start with a
[1:10] roll call. Miss Shock,
[1:12] here.
[1:12] Miss Bennett,
[1:14] here.
[1:14] Mr. Shepard
[1:15] here.
[1:16] Mr. Ali
[1:17] here
[1:17] and I the chair I am present. Item
[1:20] number one request authorization for the
[1:21] approval of the minutes of the August
[1:23] 13, 2026 board meeting. A motion is in
[1:26] order.
[1:26] So moved.
[1:27] Second.
[1:27] All those in favor? I
[1:29] opposed. The eyes have it. Item number
[1:32] two. Request authorization to amend the
[1:34] engineering design services contract
[1:36] with child's engineering for
[1:38] construction documents to repair defects
[1:40] at birth 10. increased the contract
[1:42] amount by $49,315
[1:45] and further executed 10% design
[1:48] contingency in the amount of $4,931.50
[1:52] for an aggregate contract amount not to
[1:54] exceed $54,246.50
[1:58] and the total aggregate contract amount
[2:01] not to wait and the total aggregate
[2:03] contract amount of $189,90.
[2:08] Tyler,
[2:09] thank you, Madam Chair, members of the
[2:10] board. We are requesting authorization
[2:12] to amend our existing services contract
[2:14] with child's engineering for additional
[2:16] design services for the birth 10 repairs
[2:18] project at the Raymond L Flynn Marine
[2:20] Park. Birth 10 is currently used by the
[2:22] Boston Harbor Patrol and Thompson Island
[2:24] out outwardbound. A previous inspection
[2:27] identified a number of deficiencies
[2:29] including [clears throat] deteriorated
[2:31] concrete, marine bore damage to fender
[2:33] piles and deterioration of the masonry
[2:36] seaw wall. Child's engineering was
[2:38] previously brought on to develop
[2:39] construction documents to address those
[2:41] conditions. As the design has progressed
[2:43] and we've continued coordinating with
[2:45] project stakeholders and several
[2:46] additional needs for wereident
[2:48] identified. These include replacement of
[2:50] the two David cranes, additional
[2:52] lighting and electrical upgrades,
[2:54] replacement of the public sewer pumpout
[2:55] and replacement of the broken ladders
[2:57] and installation of a hose bib with heat
[2:59] tracing.
[3:01] We're requesting an additional $49,315
[3:04] for the design services along with a 10%
[3:06] design contingency of $4,931.50
[3:11] for a total amendment amendment of
[3:13] $54,246.50. [clears throat]
[3:16] This will bring the total design
[3:18] contract of to $189,90.
[3:23] Funding for the design and resulting
[3:24] construction is included in the FY2 FY27
[3:27] capital construction budget. Staff is
[3:29] therefore recommending authorization to
[3:31] amend our existing engineering services
[3:33] contract with child's engineering. If
[3:35] you have any questions, I'd be happy to
[3:36] answer them at this time.
[3:37] Okay. Thank you. Any questions or
[3:38] comments from the board? He
[3:40] [clears throat] hearing and seeing none.
[3:42] A motion is in order.
[3:43] So move.
[3:43] All those what?
[3:45] Second.
[3:45] Oh. Oh gosh. Yeah. Second. [laughter]
[3:49] Um all those in favor? I
[3:52] I
[3:52] the opposed. The eyes have it. Motion
[3:54] passes.
[3:57] Item number three, request authorization
[3:59] to amend the engineering services
[4:01] contract with Gail Associates
[4:02] Incorporated for the repair of the
[4:04] platform and canopy at 12 Channel Street
[4:06] within the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park
[4:09] and to increase the contract amount by
[4:11] $25,000 in a 10% contingency for a total
[4:15] contract amount not to exceed $586,365.
[4:20] Tyler,
[4:21] thank you again. [clears throat]
[4:22] We are requesting authorization to amend
[4:24] our existing engineering services
[4:26] contract with Gail Associates for the
[4:27] platform canopy repairs at 12 channel
[4:29] Street in Raymond L Flame Marine Park.
[4:31] The loading dock and canopy at 12
[4:33] Channel Street have experienced
[4:34] significant deterioration from exposure
[4:36] to winter and marine weather including
[4:38] spald concrete and corroded reinforcing
[4:40] steel. Gail Associates was originally
[4:42] brought on to assess the conditions,
[4:44] develop repair options, and prepare the
[4:46] construction documents. During
[4:47] construction, we found that portions of
[4:49] the existing structure were more
[4:51] deteriorated than what was identified
[4:52] during the initial assessment. This
[4:54] required additional work, including
[4:56] structural reinforcement of the canopy
[4:57] supports and replacement of a larger
[4:59] area of the reinforced concrete loading
[5:01] dock slab. This amendment will provide
[5:03] additional structural engineering
[5:05] services and construction administration
[5:06] support through the remaining traffic
[5:08] coding work and final closeout. The
[5:10] project is currently scheduled for final
[5:12] completion on October 21st. We are
[5:14] requesting additional $25,000 along with
[5:16] a $2,500 contingency for a total
[5:19] amendment of $27,500.
[5:22] This will bring the total engineering
[5:23] contract with Gail Associates to
[5:25] $586,365.
[5:28] Staff is therefore recommending
[5:29] authorization to amend our existing
[5:31] engineering services contract with Gail
[5:32] Associates. Thank you. And I can't I'd
[5:34] be happy to answer any questions at this
[5:35] time.
[5:36] Okay. Thanks, Tyler. Um any questions or
[5:38] comments from the board? Hearing and
[5:40] seeing none, a motion is in order.
[5:42] So moved.
[5:43] Second. Roll call for a vote. Oh, no.
[5:45] We're not going to do that. I can't get
[5:46] the votes right. All those in favor?
[5:49] I [laughter] oppose. The the eyes have
[5:51] it. Motion passes.
[5:55] Um, okay. Item number four, request
[5:57] authorization to amend the contract with
[5:59] DBI Waste Systems Incorporated for trash
[6:02] removal services in the Raymond Elf
[6:04] Flynn Marine Park in the amount of
[6:06] $25,000 for a total contract amount of
[6:10] $140,00087.
[6:12] No. 14087 $140,87.
[6:19] Please take over from here, Chris. Like
[6:21] I'm [laughter] not doing
[6:21] Thank you, Madam Chair.
[6:23] Good afternoon, Madam Chair, members of
[6:24] the board, Madam Secretary, Director
[6:26] Shen. I'm here today to request an
[6:28] amendment for funds to our current
[6:30] contract for trash removal services
[6:31] within the Raymond Flint Marine Park. On
[6:34] November 21st, 2023, the EDIC board
[6:36] authorized the director to enter into a
[6:38] three-year contract with EBI Way Systems
[6:40] in an amount not to exceed $115,87.
[6:44] The current contract is set to expire on
[6:46] February 20th of 2027, and the total
[6:49] funds are close to being depleted due to
[6:51] the unforeseen amount of trash services
[6:53] needed during um and after the sale 250
[6:57] event within our marine park. In
[6:59] consideration of this unanticipated
[7:01] escalation of services, staff is asking
[7:03] to amend the current contract by a total
[7:05] not to exceed $25,000. The total cost of
[7:08] the amended contract is not expected to
[7:09] exceed $140,87
[7:12] for this term. I'm happy to answer any
[7:15] questions.
[7:15] Okay. Um any questions or comments from
[7:18] the board?
[7:20] All right. Hearing and seeing none, a
[7:21] motion is in order.
[7:22] So moved.
[7:23] Second.
[7:24] All those in favor?
[7:25] I
[7:27] opposed. The eyes have it. Motion
[7:29] passes. Thanks, Chris. Um, item number
[7:31] five, request authorization to issue an
[7:34] invitation for bids for trash removal in
[7:36] the Raymond Alflyn Marine Park for a
[7:38] period of 3 years with two one-year term
[7:40] renewal options. Chris,
[7:42] thank you, Madam Chair. I'm before you
[7:44] today to request permission to advertise
[7:46] for trash removal services for the
[7:47] Raymond Flynn Marine Park. The selected
[7:49] vendor will be responsible for all
[7:51] labor, materials, equipment,
[7:52] transportation, and services within the
[7:54] park. The IFB will publicly be publicly
[7:57] advertised with local newspapers on the
[7:59] BPDA's website, the statewide combi
[8:01] system, the state goods and services
[8:03] bulletin, and through other channels as
[8:04] appropriate, including affirmative
[8:06] marketing to small, local, and diverse
[8:08] businesses. The resultant contract will
[8:10] be awarded to the responsible and
[8:12] responsive bidder with the lowest total
[8:13] bid price. The awarded contract will be
[8:16] for a term of three years with two
[8:17] single optioners to be exercised at the
[8:19] sole discretion of the BPDA. Funding for
[8:22] this project will be from BPDA's fiscal
[8:24] year 27 operating budget and the total
[8:26] cost is not expected to exceed 195,000
[8:29] for the initial three-year term. Thank
[8:30] you. I'm happy to answer any questions.
[8:32] Okay. Uh any questions or comments from
[8:34] the board? All right. Hearing and seeing
[8:37] none. A motion is in order.
[8:38] So move.
[8:39] Second.
[8:39] All those in favor?
[8:40] I
[8:41] opposed. The eyes have it. Motion
[8:43] passes. Item number six. [clears throat]
[8:45] Oh, it's like all Chris. request
[8:47] authorization to issue an invitation for
[8:49] bids for inspection, testing, servicing,
[8:51] and full preventative maintenance of
[8:53] heating, ventilation, and air
[8:54] conditioning systems at 12 Channel
[8:56] Street and the Raymond Alpha Marine Park
[8:58] for a period of 3 years with two
[9:00] one-year term extension options. Chris,
[9:03] thank you again, Madam Chair. I'm before
[9:05] you today to request permission to
[9:06] advertise for heating, ventilation, and
[9:08] air conditioning system maintenance at
[9:10] 12 Channel Street in the Raymond El Flyn
[9:12] Marine Park. The selected vendor will be
[9:14] responsible for all labor, materials,
[9:16] equipment, transportation supplies, and
[9:17] services at the marine park. The
[9:19] selected bidder
[9:21] will furnish all supervision as well to
[9:25] test, service, and maintain heating,
[9:27] ventilation, and air conditioning
[9:28] systems within the building. The IFB
[9:30] will be publicly advertised with local
[9:32] newspapers on the BPDA's website, the
[9:34] state combine system, state's goods and
[9:36] services bulletin, and through other
[9:37] channels as appropriate, including also
[9:40] affirmative marketing to small, local,
[9:42] and diverse businesses. The result the
[9:44] resulting contract will be awarded to
[9:46] the responsible and responsive bidder
[9:47] with the lowest total bid price. The
[9:49] awarded contract will be for a term of
[9:51] three years with two single optioners to
[9:53] be exercised at the sole discretion of
[9:54] the BPDA. Funding for this project will
[9:56] also be from the BPDA's fiscal year 27
[9:58] operating budget. This cost is not
[10:00] expected to exceed 255,000 for the
[10:03] initial three-year term. Thank you. And
[10:05] I'm happy to answer questions.
[10:06] Okay. Uh any questions or comments from
[10:08] the board? Okay. Hearing and seeing
[10:11] none, a motion is in order.
[10:12] So moved.
[10:13] Second.
[10:13] All those in favor? I
[10:15] I
[10:16] opposed. The eyes have it. Um motion
[10:18] passes. Thanks so much.
[10:20] All right. Um, item number seven,
[10:24] request authorization to execute a
[10:25] contract with the Peterson School to
[10:27] deliver instruction in hot works
[10:29] commercial and industrial refrigeration
[10:32] prep HVAC um, R E S Ego HVAC Nate and
[10:38] Construction Math for the Power Core
[10:40] Boston Building Operations Training
[10:42] Program for a period of 6 months and a
[10:45] and in a contract amount not to exceed
[10:48] 130,000. table.
[10:50] Good afternoon, esteemed board members
[10:52] and in particular, Madame Chair Roas.
[10:55] Um, you actually read my whole uh um and
[10:59] so the Office of Workforce Development
[11:00] is asking that this request be granted.
[11:03] I can read back through it if that makes
[11:05] sense.
[11:05] No, can you maybe just tell us a little
[11:06] bit about the about the program?
[11:09] So, it's a workforce development
[11:11] training program. It has a green
[11:12] industry focus. is uh targeting folks
[11:15] that are 18 to 30 Boston residents,
[11:17] introducing them to green careers, uh
[11:20] providing the proper training and
[11:22] industry recognized credentials that
[11:24] allow them to get entry level employment
[11:26] opportunities. This training that we're
[11:28] rece uh requesting uh funding for helps
[11:32] in particular with the building
[11:33] operations track um and prepares them to
[11:36] help de uh carbonize commercialsiz
[11:38] buildings.
[11:39] Wow, that's amazing. Um cool. Any
[11:42] question, other questions or comments
[11:44] from the board?
[11:46] All right. Hearing and seeing none, a
[11:47] motion is in order.
[11:48] So moved.
[11:49] Second.
[11:50] All those in favor?
[11:52] I
[11:53] opposed. The eyes have it. Motion
[11:54] passes.
[11:55] Thank you guys. Have a great rest of
[11:56] your day.
[11:57] Take care. Um, item number eight,
[12:00] request authorization to execute a pass
[12:02] through contract with the Massachusetts
[12:04] Department of Transportation for the
[12:05] Linkup Greater Boston Congestion Relief
[12:08] Program Grant in an amount not to exceed
[12:11] 11,448
[12:13] wait no 11 million $448,556
[12:18] to support neighborhood shuttle and
[12:20] microtransit services in Alustin,
[12:22] Brighton, Charle Town, Madapan, Roxbury,
[12:25] and the Sequ Jim. Uh, thank you, Chair
[12:28] Rojas, members of the board, Director
[12:30] Shen, Secretary Wilheis. I'm Jim
[12:31] Fitzgerald, deputy director of planning
[12:33] review. Um, and if we go to the next
[12:35] slide, [clears throat] uh, approving
[12:37] this request will allow the EDIC to, and
[12:39] the next one, uh, to access over 11.5
[12:43] million uh, worth of federal grant
[12:45] funding and partnering with MASDOT to
[12:46] provide that funding uh, for uh, shuttle
[12:49] services throughout the city. Uh I think
[12:51] I'm going to hand it over now for the
[12:52] rest of the presentation to get into the
[12:53] grant administration by Amina Scott um
[12:56] who's our deputy controller of strategic
[12:58] funding and then Matt Morand who's our
[13:00] partner from uh deputy director of the
[13:02] transit team at the streets department.
[13:04] Awesome.
[13:06] Good afternoon. You can go to the next
[13:09] slide please.
[13:11] Um so I just wanted to establish
[13:13] [clears throat] this grant uh is just
[13:15] going to be another grant within our
[13:16] portfolio. We already have the
[13:17] infrastructure in place to manage it
[13:19] like we manage all of our other external
[13:21] funding. Uh we have the accounting
[13:23] aspect down. It will be a part of our
[13:25] regular audit. It is a cost
[13:26] reimburseable grant as well. Um and so
[13:29] we will have oversight of the
[13:30] reimbursement process, ongoing
[13:32] communication and oversight and
[13:34] check-ins with the uh the project teams
[13:37] as well as our state contract partners
[13:39] and managers. Um and if you go to the
[13:41] next slide, please. Um this just speaks
[13:44] a little bit more to the actual
[13:45] reimbursement process itself. Um it's
[13:48] already established again this will just
[13:50] be another uh grant within our
[13:51] portfolio. And then the next slide.
[13:55] So it does trigger the single audit
[13:57] which we are already subject to. Um and
[13:59] again we have great auditors and a great
[14:01] finance team on the back end who would
[14:03] support the overall oversight of our
[14:06] fiscal year audits for this grant. And I
[14:09] will pass it off to Matt.
[14:14] Uh good afternoon madam chair, members
[14:16] of the board. My name is Matt Moran. I
[14:17] lead the transit team within the city of
[14:19] Boston streets cabinet. I just want to
[14:20] acknowledge a few folks. Uh so first
[14:22] off, I want to thank the planning
[14:23] department for all of their partnership
[14:25] and hard work on this grant. Um it
[14:27] wouldn't have been possible without
[14:28] their support. I also want to
[14:30] acknowledge a few folks who are in the
[14:31] room. Uh my colleague Amanda Caparoso
[14:34] who will be helping to lead the
[14:36] administration of the shuttle services
[14:38] and the grant. She's from BTD operations
[14:40] and has been leading a lot of our work
[14:41] in response to MBTA diversions over the
[14:43] past few years. We also have Scott
[14:45] Mullen from a better city TMA who again
[14:48] is a great partner and has been working
[14:49] with us uh tirelessly on coming up with
[14:52] this grant and facilitating its
[14:54] execution. So you might be asking what
[14:56] is first mile last mile transportation
[14:58] which is what this grant is all about.
[15:00] So we are looking to connect residents
[15:03] and employees with MBTA services and
[15:06] other essential services that might be a
[15:08] little bit geographically difficult to
[15:10] reach today. And so we're not looking to
[15:12] duplicate MBTA services. We're looking
[15:15] to really um add services to areas of
[15:17] the city that haven't traditionally had
[15:19] a lot of good transit either because
[15:21] there hasn't been development there or
[15:23] because historically they've been
[15:24] underinvested in. Uh we are looking at
[15:27] um as I said uh working with the MBTA on
[15:30] this. So they actually supported this
[15:31] grant application back in 2024 when we
[15:34] first proposed this grant and wrote us a
[15:36] letter of support and we anticipate that
[15:38] partnership to continue. Next slide.
[15:42] So we've been we've been supporting
[15:44] these first mile last mile shuttles over
[15:46] the past decade uh plus. So, one example
[15:50] of this is the Mission Hill Link, which
[15:51] provides first mile, last mile service
[15:53] to residents on Mission Hill along with
[15:55] people who who are going up to New
[15:57] England Baptist Hospital. We've done
[15:59] that through a few different means.
[16:00] We've put staff time into it, helping
[16:02] them plan, helping them think through
[16:04] their uh service options. We also use
[16:06] city staff time to apply for an ARPA
[16:09] grant to get them a new vehicle. And we
[16:11] are doing this with other services as
[16:12] well. So we've supported not only the
[16:14] mission hill link but easy ride and the
[16:16] lower mystic link along with working
[16:18] with a strong shuttles. Next slide.
[16:23] And so this grant this 11.5 million will
[16:26] support five different transit services
[16:28] uh throughout Boston. And so three of
[16:30] these would be run by different TMAs. So
[16:33] a better city will be running the Austin
[16:35] Brighton uh routes. the uh Charles Town
[16:38] and Lower Mystic program will be run by
[16:40] the Lower Mystic TMA. Uh Seapport, which
[16:43] is down the bottom, but I'm just going
[16:44] to go through the order in terms of
[16:46] TMAs, will also be run by the Seapport
[16:48] TMA. And then there will be two city
[16:51] organized uh routes, one in Madapan and
[16:54] one in Roxberry. Those two routes will
[16:56] need to be coordinated more closely with
[16:58] the community. So, we're still working
[17:00] on what exactly those routes will will
[17:02] be, but this is an idea of what they
[17:04] could look like. again connecting people
[17:06] from rapid transit services whether it's
[17:08] the red line the orange line uh to
[17:10] services so the Madapan community health
[17:12] center madapan branch public library
[17:15] madun community center grove hall the
[17:17] Roxy YMCA and so on this is like a bit
[17:20] of an example of what they could look
[17:21] like but again we'll confirm that with
[17:23] the community in the coming months next
[17:25] slide
[17:28] and so while these would be individually
[17:31] run services we're not looking to create
[17:32] one giant new transit service. Uh they
[17:35] would have a few things in common so
[17:36] that residents, people coming to the
[17:38] city to to [clears throat] visit, people
[17:39] coming to the city for work would be
[17:41] able to understand what they are. So one
[17:43] common brand, so they would all be
[17:44] branded with the link. You would be able
[17:46] to see that and understand exactly what
[17:48] that is. Uh consistent rider
[17:50] information, so one website that could
[17:52] direct people to what these services are
[17:53] along with additional transit services
[17:55] that are provided in their area. Uh
[17:57] shared expectations around
[17:58] accessibility. So if you are boarding
[18:01] this, we will ensure that all the
[18:02] vehicles are accessible to people with
[18:04] mobility devices. We'll be collecting
[18:06] data and um sort of reporting that
[18:08] performance out over time. And um we are
[18:11] looking as I said for these to be all
[18:13] tailored to their local communities. So
[18:15] to the extent that Austin Brighton might
[18:17] have different needs than say the
[18:18] seapport or than Matipan, we're really
[18:21] looking at these to be individually
[18:22] tailored to the neighborhoods. And so
[18:23] there'll be a strong community buyin
[18:25] process and discussion as we continue
[18:27] on. So, we're asking for your acceptance
[18:30] of this mass administered grant in the
[18:32] amount of 11 half million dollars and
[18:33] I'm happy to take any questions. So,
[18:35] thank you very much.
[18:37] Thank you. Questions or comments from
[18:38] the board?
[18:39] Yes. Thank you.
[18:41] You always start it. Go.
[18:42] Thank you.
[18:44] Um this is really exciting. Uh really
[18:47] really appreciate this. I think we
[18:49] should be exploring this even far
[18:51] beyond. So I'd love to see this this
[18:53] start. Um,
[18:55] will the, you may have said this and
[18:57] forgive me, I was taking notes as I was
[18:59] listening. How will this fund the
[19:00] program for one year? Is it multiple
[19:02] years?
[19:02] Great question. So, it's a three-year
[19:04] program.
[19:04] Three years or 11 and a half. And then
[19:08] provided these are successful uh pilots.
[19:11] Will there be an opportunity to get
[19:13] increased funding three years from now?
[19:15] So, this is something we would be
[19:17] looking into over the course of the
[19:18] three years. So the first year we really
[19:20] see is understanding exactly what these
[19:21] services are,
[19:22] the ridership, the demand and in year
[19:26] two we will start to explore other grant
[19:27] opportunities. So for example, our
[19:29] colleagues at the lower mystic TMA uh
[19:31] have already won state money to start
[19:33] that service. So that service is
[19:34] actually already running. It'll be
[19:36] expanded through this program, but there
[19:38] are other opportunities out there. So
[19:39] we'll think through things like um state
[19:41] resources, um potentially some
[19:43] development review money. So that's part
[19:45] of our local match is using development
[19:46] review money. and we'll think about
[19:48] other funding opportunities, but that's
[19:50] going to come later in the process, but
[19:51] certainly something we're thinking about
[19:53] and and this will be free to all
[19:55] Exactly.
[19:56] residents or guests or visitors. There's
[19:58] not going to be a you don't need to show
[20:00] an ID to get on to prove you're a Boston
[20:01] resident, I assume.
[20:02] Exactly. So, the mayor's commitment to
[20:04] fair free transit extends here. So,
[20:06] these will be fair free and anyone who's
[20:08] visiting the city, who lives in the
[20:10] city, will be able to access these
[20:11] services for free.
[20:12] Yeah. And um I love the idea. I love the
[20:15] sort of the point about underscoring
[20:17] that every neighborhood is different and
[20:18] the needs and are going to be different.
[20:20] So it should be um tail tailored as
[20:22] such. I think some consistency on on a
[20:24] you know public awareness campaign will
[20:26] be important. Uh will the roots and I
[20:29] guess maybe the answer is we haven't
[20:30] been decided yet but follow like the
[20:32] MBTA routes. I mean I'd imagine be
[20:34] looking at at major arterial roads to
[20:37] run.
[20:38] Yeah. So they're going to f they're
[20:40] going to link, pardon the pun, with MBTA
[20:42] routes. Yeah.
[20:43] Uh so there'll be transfer points either
[20:44] at the rapid transit stations or at key
[20:46] bus locations, but they're going to
[20:48] deviate in some specific areas and
[20:50] provide a service that he doesn't really
[20:52] offer today.
[20:52] Yeah.
[20:53] So for example, in Grove Hall, we
[20:55] anticipate that we will use the driveway
[20:57] for stop and shop to really give a much
[21:00] easier connection
[21:01] for people to get to and from the
[21:03] supermarket.
[21:04] That's one area we'll deviate. We're
[21:06] looking at maybe using Quinsey Street
[21:07] that has no existing transit service on
[21:09] there, but again, we would have to
[21:10] coordinate that with the local community
[21:12] to see if that makes sense.
[21:13] Yeah,
[21:13] this will provide a cross town option
[21:14] that doesn't exist today in uh Roxberry
[21:16] and Madapan.
[21:17] Yeah. And and I'm sure you know there's
[21:18] two other points is one, I would just
[21:20] urge you to work with um the Art Strong
[21:22] Commission. I know recently Mayor Woo
[21:23] had um rolled out this great policy that
[21:26] allows seniors the opportunity to get uh
[21:27] get a number of free uh ride share
[21:29] rides. So a way to sort of
[21:31] crosspollinate, you know, the message
[21:33] and the amplification of this. That's
[21:35] when the second I believe this will be
[21:37] success. I look forward to hearing it.
[21:39] Continued success
[21:41] as the opportunity for new routes to be
[21:43] developed comes into play. I would urge
[21:46] you to consider uh southwest Boston,
[21:48] particularly Hyde Park, Rosdale, and
[21:50] West Rox. Those are three neighborhoods
[21:51] that do not have any access to subway
[21:53] stations. Um, as many folks know, many
[21:57] folks at this table know, it's in a uh
[21:59] uh uh another [clears throat] commuter
[22:01] rail uh uh zone, which makes it even
[22:03] more expensive for for folks to access
[22:05] this. So, anything we can do to um
[22:07] include those, I think, would be uh well
[22:09] wellreceived across the board. But great
[22:11] work team. Looking forward to seeing
[22:12] this be a success.
[22:13] Really appreciate that. Thank you.
[22:15] I definitely that was going to be my
[22:16] point. The Southwest Corridor um we
[22:19] definitely need to look at that.
[22:21] Yeah, certainly. and we're definitely
[22:23] open to ideas. So, anyone who has ideas,
[22:25] we would love to hear them. Um, but
[22:27] certainly open to expansion
[22:28] opportunities as well as funding and
[22:30] time allows. Thank you.
[22:34] Um,
[22:35] I Hi, it's Kate. I agree. Um, this is
[22:38] fantastic. I just was curious. Um is
[22:42] there any expectation that any BPS
[22:44] students will be using this service or
[22:49] not so much or
[22:51] so to the extent that they'll be free
[22:53] and open to the public and operating
[22:54] during BPS arrival and dismissal hours?
[22:57] I can imagine a world where there will
[22:59] be some BPS students who are using them,
[23:01] but um we haven't gotten into that level
[23:02] of detail yet, but we flagged it for our
[23:04] colleagues at
[23:04] But you wouldn't preclude that,
[23:06] right? Exactly.
[23:08] Yeah. Exactly.
[23:08] Okay, great. Thank you.
[23:11] Great. Um I do have a couple questions.
[23:12] So um so I just want to get a sense of
[23:16] got a lot of different players here like
[23:18] who are the roles what who is doing all
[23:21] this stuff like and particularly I would
[23:24] like you to explain the um the pass
[23:26] through concept right and want to make
[23:28] sure that you know there's awareness of
[23:31] what that really means um and and kind
[23:34] of why we do it in that structure.
[23:37] Sure. So I can start an answer and then
[23:40] start. Yeah.
[23:40] Mina, Jim, if you guys want to add as
[23:42] well.
[23:42] So [clears throat and cough] the the the
[23:45] who, right?
[23:45] Yeah. Yeah.
[23:46] So we are working with uh our colleagues
[23:49] here within the streets cabinet to
[23:51] actually administer sort of the on
[23:53] street services. So as we think about
[23:54] where shuttle stop locations will have
[23:56] to be.
[23:57] Yeah.
[23:57] We're going to work to identify places
[23:59] that are accessible and we'll put post
[24:01] signs and we'll be able to have like a
[24:03] really good experience for somebody
[24:04] who's trying to board the bus and an
[24:05] accessible experience. Right. Right. So
[24:06] you'll be able to board the mobility
[24:07] device. So we'll work in the operations
[24:09] within streets.
[24:10] And as we think through the grant and
[24:11] contract administration, we'll be
[24:13] working with Amina, with Jim to make
[24:15] sure that we fulfill all of the
[24:16] requirements of the grant. So whether
[24:18] that's the data collection, whether
[24:20] that's the financial oversight, we'll
[24:21] make sure that that's all covered.
[24:23] Why pass through? So at the end of the
[24:26] day, Mass is primed to receive federal
[24:29] grants in a way that um is efficient.
[24:32] they are already receiving half this
[24:33] grant uh which is sort of a uh bike
[24:37] share program. Uh so it was just thought
[24:40] to be more um efficient if one party
[24:42] received the money from the federal
[24:43] government as opposed to having multiple
[24:45] grantees within the same grant.
[24:46] Got it.
[24:47] Got it. No, it makes sense. And who's
[24:49] going to be doing that community
[24:50] outreach? Does that go into our like our
[24:54] processes, our people, or is that in a
[24:56] different area department?
[24:57] Uh so it will be city staff who lead
[25:00] that outreach. So at the end of the day,
[25:01] it's going to be a combination of folks
[25:03] from the streets cabinet who are already
[25:05] working in Blue Hill along Blue Hill A
[25:07] and Madan
[25:08] uh Growall and then it'll be folks up
[25:10] here in planning who we will coordinate
[25:12] with and O andS of course.
[25:13] Got it. Um okay, let me see if I have
[25:17] any other questions. I scribbled them
[25:18] everywhere. Well, I do want to thank um
[25:20] thank you um and it wasn't lost on me um
[25:23] the accounting and the risk management
[25:25] and the financial controls slide and you
[25:29] know the risk that comes with path
[25:30] passroughs and and I'm glad that you uh
[25:34] deliberately put that there. So, thanks
[25:36] for reading my mind on that one. Uh I am
[25:38] an auditor. That's what I do for a
[25:40] living. So, [laughter] so this is um uh
[25:43] it was all there and financial controls.
[25:45] Um, I'm glad that we've kind of set up
[25:48] the infrastructure already, that we have
[25:50] a program grant management with like new
[25:52] tools and new processes. And I'm geeking
[25:55] out, but like all of this stuff, right?
[25:58] All of that hard work that you did for
[26:00] like the past, I don't know, 10 years
[26:02] that I've been watching
[26:03] is um, you know, is were benefiting from
[26:07] all of that work. So, just wanted to
[26:09] kind of um shout out uh and recognize
[26:13] all of that hard work that leads up to
[26:14] this to a more smooth and well-ontrolled
[26:18] um administration of these large sums of
[26:20] money. So, um that was just really
[26:24] exciting for me. Um
[26:26] um and credit where credits do Amina and
[26:27] her team put this all together.
[26:29] Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
[26:30] Yeah.
[26:30] Is there is there one I think I think I
[26:32] saw on the slide that it um the
[26:35] application was in 24 submitted in 24.
[26:37] you've just received it. Where does the
[26:39] three years come into play? Is it three
[26:42] years from
[26:43] so to put the money out there?
[26:45] We have to spend the money by uh 2030.
[26:47] So that's where the three years comes
[26:48] into play.
[26:49] And it's funding that will allow us to
[26:51] get to that that
[26:52] Okay.
[26:52] level. Yeah.
[26:53] Great. Thank you.
[26:55] Okay. Good.
[26:56] Um and okay, the last the last thing I
[27:00] know we haven't done I know we have gone
[27:02] with the community process. It does make
[27:03] me nervous that the two that were less
[27:06] uh sure about the routes are Roxbury and
[27:08] Manipan. So, um I know you've got lots
[27:11] of work and outreach and stuff like that
[27:12] to do that. Um but um
[27:16] uh
[27:18] yeah,
[27:19] you got one.
[27:19] I think any [laughter] kind of just
[27:21] Yeah, any kind of update. I mean, I just
[27:23] wanted to say that that you know, that
[27:25] worries me for that, but I know why. Um,
[27:27] and I know that, you know, um, the city
[27:30] staff will do their proper community
[27:32] outreach and due diligence to really
[27:34] find out like what are those paths,
[27:36] right? Like some of those paths I'm on
[27:38] and I'm just like, "Oh, okay. I can see
[27:40] this, but I also see how we walk around
[27:42] all over the place." So anyway, um, so
[27:47] what happens now if we right, we're
[27:49] going to what are the next steps right
[27:51] after we take a vote?
[27:53] Certainly. So at this point we sort of
[27:55] divide into two different segments. So
[27:57] there's the three TMA run routes and
[27:59] this gives the TMAs the ability to sort
[28:02] of work with us begin procuring you know
[28:04] sign all the final legal paperwork
[28:06] procure their vendors and begin running
[28:08] the routes. The next step on the
[28:11] engagement side is we would start to
[28:12] work with our colleagues within office
[28:14] of neighborhood services within streets
[28:16] and begin to identify what is the sort
[28:18] of proper community process. How do we
[28:20] want to start to uh sort of speak to the
[28:22] community about these these ideas?
[28:24] Again, some of this work's already
[28:25] happening with our Blue Hill AV work.
[28:26] So, some of it might get sort of tacked
[28:28] on to that, but um there's definitely
[28:30] going to be some standalone public
[28:31] meetings that will address these.
[28:33] Exciting. Okay, great. Any other
[28:35] questions or comments? Right. Hearing
[28:37] and seeing none, a motion is in order.
[28:39] So moved.
[28:39] Second.
[28:40] All those in favor? I
[28:43] opposed. The eyes have it. Motion
[28:44] passes. Thanks, Jim.
[28:46] Thank you all so much.
[28:47] All right. Okay. Item number nine,
[28:49] personnel Teresa.
[28:58] Good evening. We have a couple of items
[29:01] for your consideration on the EDIC
[29:03] agenda with exact details included in
[29:05] the board memos. We have one contract in
[29:08] the IT division, Zachary Gagny. We have
[29:12] one internship in the urban design
[29:14] division for Sheeta Gorla. And we have
[29:18] one resignation in the research
[29:20] division, Emily Cores, who is a research
[29:23] associate. Okay. All right. Um any
[29:25] questions or comments from the board?
[29:28] We'll definitely want to welcome um our
[29:31] um in new intern,
[29:34] uh you know, new contractor consultants
[29:36] that are working with us and to again
[29:37] thank Emily um for all your
[29:39] contributions um here at the city and
[29:41] the research department. um you guys
[29:44] just churn out these like analysis and
[29:47] reports that um and make them really
[29:49] available and I just really appreciate
[29:52] that too. So I just want to say that and
[29:56] um any further questions or comments.
[29:59] Did we did I already make a motion? No.
[30:03] Did I move?
[30:03] No.
[30:04] No. Okay. A motion is in order.
[30:06] So moved.
[30:07] So seconded. [laughter]
[30:09] All those in favor? I
[30:10] I [snorts]
[30:11] uh opposed. The eyes have it. Motion
[30:13] passes. Thanks, Teresa.
[30:15] Sorry about that.
[30:16] And finally, uh I need a motion to
[30:18] adjourn the EDIC meeting.
[30:20] Motion to adjurnn.
[30:22] Second.
[30:23] All those in favor?
[30:24] I
[30:25] opposed. The eyes have it. Uh EDIC
[30:28] meeting adjourned.
[30:31] Okay, we're going to start the uh the
[30:33] next portion of the meeting. Thank you
[30:35] for joining the September 17th, 2026.
[30:38] Boston Redevelopment Authority board
[30:40] meeting. At this time, the Boston
[30:41] Planning and Development Agency is
[30:43] hosting public meetings in a hybrid
[30:45] setting for the health, safety, and
[30:46] accessibility of Boston residents.
[30:48] Hybrid means that our board meetings are
[30:50] conducted in person at city hall in our
[30:52] boardroom on the 9th floor and virtually
[30:55] via Zoom and Boston City TV at the same
[30:58] time. For more information and updates,
[31:00] visit bostonplans.org.
[31:02] The open public meeting law requires
[31:04] that I notify the public that this
[31:05] meeting is being recorded. Please be
[31:07] aware that an audio and visual recording
[31:09] of this meeting is being made and
[31:10] broadcast by Boston City TV which is a
[31:12] part of the city of Boston office of
[31:13] cable communications at Xfinity channel
[31:16] 26 RCN channel 13 and Verizon files
[31:18] channel 962. It's also being live
[31:20] livereamed at boston.gov/cable.
[31:23] If there's anyone in the audience who is
[31:25] recording this meeting, I just ask that
[31:26] you please identify yourself now. Okay,
[31:28] seeing none. Um, also please note that
[31:31] demonstrations of approval and
[31:33] disapproval from members of the public
[31:34] are not permitted during the meeting.
[31:36] And we're going to start with a roll
[31:37] call. Miss Jacqu
[31:38] here,
[31:39] Miss Bennett
[31:40] here.
[31:41] Mr. Shepard
[31:42] here.
[31:42] Mr. Omali
[31:43] present.
[31:44] And uh I the chair house and present. Um
[31:48] item number one, request authorization
[31:50] for the approval of the minutes of the
[31:52] August 13th, 2026 board meeting. A
[31:54] motion is in order.
[31:55] So moved.
[31:56] Second.
[31:57] All those in favor? I
[31:58] opposed.
[32:00] Um I was I too. The eyes have it. Motion
[32:02] passes. Um item number two, request
[32:04] authorization to extend the t tentative
[32:06] designation status of a joint venture
[32:08] between Asian Community Development
[32:11] Corporation and the community builders
[32:12] incorporated as the redeveloper of
[32:14] parcel P-12Z in the South Cove Urban
[32:17] Renewal Area. project number Mass R-92
[32:21] located at 290 Tmont Street in Chinatown
[32:24] for a period of 12 months until
[32:26] September 30th, 2027. Ben. Thank you,
[32:29] Madam Chair, members of the board,
[32:31] member of our real estate disposition
[32:33] team, and we are requesting board
[32:35] approval to extend the tenative
[32:37] designation status of the joint venture
[32:39] between Asian Community Development
[32:41] Corporation, also known as AC/DC, and
[32:44] the Community Builders Incorporated,
[32:45] which is known as TCB, together known as
[32:47] the redeveloper, for the redevelopment
[32:49] of parcel P12C, and to continue lease
[32:52] negotiations with them to facilitate the
[32:54] long-term ground lease PCL P12C located
[32:58] at 290 Tmont Street in the Chinatown
[33:00] neighborhood is an approximately
[33:02] 29,000qt site located in the South Cove
[33:05] urban renewal area. [clears throat] The
[33:07] current proposed plan is for the
[33:09] development to include 111 affordable
[33:11] rental units um after it went through a
[33:13] notice of project change that the board
[33:15] approved [clears throat]
[33:17] last year around this time. All rental
[33:19] units will be income restricted at rents
[33:21] affordable to h households with income
[33:22] levels ranging from approximately 30% of
[33:25] area [clears throat] median income to
[33:26] 80% area median income. Additionally,
[33:28] the proposed project will include
[33:30] approximately 1,900 square ft of ground
[33:33] level community uh more commercial space
[33:36] 100 level and 111 bicycle parking
[33:38] spaces. Since receiving its tenant
[33:40] designation, uh, ACDC and TCB have made
[33:43] great strides in moving their project
[33:45] forward, which you can see the specifics
[33:47] in the board memo. Um, and during the,
[33:51] um, the next 12-month extension, the
[33:52] development team hopes to achieve um,
[33:55] the steps necessary to receive final
[33:57] designation and maybe even start
[33:59] construction. Uh, given this
[34:00] information, we respectfully request
[34:02] that you vote to extend TCB and ACDC's
[34:05] tenative designation status for 12
[34:06] months. Thank you and happy to answer
[34:08] any questions. Okay. Any questions or
[34:10] comments from the board? Hearing and
[34:12] seeing none. A motion is in order.
[34:13] So moved.
[34:14] Second.
[34:14] All those in favor? I
[34:16] opposed. The eyes have it. Motion
[34:18] passes. Thanks, Ben.
[34:20] Thank you.
[34:22] And great progress on that project. I'm
[34:24] excited. Uh item number three, request
[34:27] authorization to convey parcel number
[34:30] 0202822010
[34:34] located at the corner of Mount Vernon
[34:36] Street and Looney Way in the Charleston
[34:39] neighborhood, also known as Charleston
[34:41] Peace Park, to the city of Boston Parks
[34:44] and Recreation Department. Stephanie,
[34:46] [clears throat]
[34:46] thank you, Madam Chair, and members of
[34:48] the board. I'm here to request
[34:49] authorization to transfer one parcel
[34:51] known as the Charlestown Peace Park from
[34:53] the BPDA to the city of Boston Parks and
[34:55] Recreation Department. Peace Park was
[34:57] originally dedicated to the late Robert
[34:59] McGrath, a beloved Charletown resident
[35:01] resident who is tragically the victim of
[35:03] violence 30 years ago. The park has a
[35:05] strong history of community stewardship
[35:07] starting in 2019 when a group of
[35:09] neighbors and community members took
[35:10] charge to add new plant beds, repair
[35:12] park furniture, and rep fences. Around
[35:15] this time, the Charlestown Coalition
[35:17] Youth Program turned it around, began
[35:19] maintaining the park. They soon after
[35:20] began holding peace focused events at
[35:22] the site following receipt of a Love
[35:24] Your Block Grant from the city of Boston
[35:26] in 2020. The next year in 2021, the city
[35:28] of Boston awarded the Charlestown
[35:30] Coalition a CPA or community
[35:32] preservation award to fully design and
[35:33] build a renovated park. In November
[35:36] 2023, the BPDA real estate team
[35:38] presented a request to the board to
[35:40] acquire the parcel from the MA from Mass
[35:42] DOT in order to oversee the park
[35:44] redesign in coordination with the
[35:46] coalition and prior to transfer of the
[35:48] completed park to the Boston Parks
[35:50] Department. The team returned to the
[35:52] board in June 2024 and April 2025 to
[35:55] request authorization to release an uh
[35:57] invitation for bids and to execute a
[35:59] contract with Haven Contracting Group
[36:01] for the completion of the work
[36:02] respectively. Since this time, the real
[36:05] estate capital construction team has
[36:06] worked closely with the Charlestown
[36:08] Coalition and Parks Department staff
[36:10] throughout the design and construction
[36:11] process. This included helping the
[36:14] coalition refine and bid out the design
[36:15] work, overseeing the environmental site
[36:17] assessment, bidding, and execution of
[36:19] the construction work and overseeing or
[36:21] assisting in the coordination of all
[36:23] final closeout documentation for the CPA
[36:25] grant and construction work. We're happy
[36:27] to report the park is complete and very
[36:28] beautiful. Following this request to
[36:31] transfer, this parcel will be brought
[36:32] before the parks commission for their fi
[36:34] formal vote to accept the property into
[36:36] their inventory. As the final step,
[36:38] staff will record the deed for a nominal
[36:40] fee of $1. Thank you. And I'm happy to
[36:42] answer any questions.
[36:43] Excellent. Thank you. Any questions or
[36:45] comments from the board? All right.
[36:47] Hearing and seeing none, a motion is in
[36:48] order.
[36:49] So moved.
[36:49] Second.
[36:50] All those in favor? I
[36:52] I
[36:52] opposed. The eyes have it. Motion
[36:54] passes. Thanks, Stephanie.
[36:57] Item number four, request authorization
[36:59] to issue a request for proposals to hire
[37:01] a licensed design consultant to provide
[37:03] landscape and engineering design
[37:05] services resulting in construction
[37:06] documents for the shipyard park
[37:08] landscape and infrastructure repairs
[37:09] project in the Charlestown Navyyard in
[37:12] Boston, Massachusetts. Tyler,
[37:14] thank you again, Madam Chair, members of
[37:15] the board. We are requesting
[37:17] authorization to advertise a request for
[37:19] proposals for landscape and engineering
[37:20] design services for repairs at Chipyard
[37:23] Park in the Charles Town Charles Town
[37:25] Navyyard. The park dates back to the
[37:27] 1980s and we're looking to have
[37:28] consultant conduct and a comp
[37:31] comprehensive condition assessment of
[37:33] the park's landscaping hardscape and
[37:35] utility infrastructure with a particular
[37:37] focus on the irrigation system. The
[37:39] consultant will develop construction
[37:41] document documents, obtain permits,
[37:43] assist with bidding, provide basic
[37:46] construction administration. We have
[37:47] $150,000 budgeted for the design
[37:50] contract with an anticipated
[37:51] construction budget of $850,000.
[37:54] Our goal is to complete the design and
[37:56] bidding process and begin construction
[37:58] in spring [clears throat] of 2027. Staff
[38:00] is therefore recommending authorization
[38:02] to advertise and issue the request for
[38:04] proposals for the landscape and
[38:05] engineering design services project at
[38:08] Shipyard Park. Thank you for having
[38:09] questions answered at this time.
[38:11] Okay. Thank you. Any questions or
[38:13] comments from the board? Right. Hearing
[38:15] and seeing none. A motion is in order.
[38:17] So moved.
[38:18] Second.
[38:19] All those in favor? I
[38:20] I
[38:21] opposed. The eyes have it. Um, motion
[38:24] passes. Thank you, Tyler.
[38:25] Item number five, request authorization
[38:27] to issue an invitation for bids for the
[38:29] construction of the China Trade Center
[38:31] roof replacement located at two Boilston
[38:33] Street. Tyler,
[38:35] thank you again. We are requesting
[38:37] authorization to advertise and issue an
[38:38] invitation for bids for the China Trade
[38:40] Center roof replacement project at two
[38:42] Boilston Street. The the China Trade
[38:45] Center is a sixstory approximately
[38:47] 90,000 square foot historic building
[38:49] that dates back to 1887 and is both
[38:51] listed on the National Registration of
[38:53] Historic Places and designated as a
[38:55] Boston city landmark. The existing roof
[38:57] was replaced in 2001 and is now beyond
[39:00] its anticipated service life. A
[39:02] [clears throat] recent building systems
[39:03] assessment found significant
[39:04] deterioration including water
[39:06] infiltration, structural and life sa
[39:09] life life safety concerns and insulation
[39:11] that does not meet current energy code
[39:12] require requirements. The project will
[39:15] primarily consist of replacing the
[39:17] existing roof system along with
[39:19] replacing the skylights, roof hatch,
[39:21] mechanical curbing, and adding
[39:22] guardrails. The estimated construction
[39:24] cost is 1.5 million which is included in
[39:26] the FY27 capital construction budget.
[39:29] The invitation for bids will be publicly
[39:31] advertised under Mass General Law
[39:33] chapters 149 with the contract award to
[39:35] the most responsible and responsible low
[39:37] bidder. Staff is therefore recommending
[39:40] authorization to advertise and issue the
[39:42] invitation of to bid for the China trade
[39:44] roof replacement project. Thank you. If
[39:46] you have any questions, I'd happy to
[39:47] answer them at this time.
[39:48] Thank you. Questions or comments from
[39:49] the board?
[39:51] Um, I'm just gonna So, with a roof, um,
[39:55] are there opportunities to like I'm
[39:58] getting into Matt your zone here. I
[40:01] thought you were going to ask a
[40:02] question, but yes, opportunities to get
[40:04] it, you know, ready for solar ready or
[40:07] just, you know,
[40:09] replacing it in a way that is like
[40:11] forward looking so that way it's, you
[40:13] know, ready if we wanted to do something
[40:15] like that or I don't even know what the
[40:17] roof looks like if you can.
[40:19] uh the way this roof structurally is. I
[40:23] we were just kind of designing it off of
[40:25] what's there like replacing the the uh
[40:28] skylights themselves.
[40:30] Um
[40:32] just something to think about, just
[40:33] something to to think about when we're
[40:35] going through all these like um I just
[40:37] saw a roof and I thought
[40:40] Matt always wants to throw some stuff up
[40:41] on a roof. So uh so I thought I'd ask.
[40:45] [laughter] All right. No, but it's good
[40:46] stuff. um
[40:47] ask about apprenticeship.
[40:50] Um okay, any further questions or
[40:52] comments? Hearing nay. None. Motion is
[40:54] in order.
[40:54] So moved.
[40:55] Second.
[40:56] All those in favor?
[40:57] I
[40:58] opposed. The eyes have it. Motion
[41:00] passes. Thanks, Tyler.
[41:01] Thank you.
[41:02] Uh item number six, requests
[41:04] authorization to issue a certificate of
[41:05] completion for the successful completion
[41:08] of uh 1003 through 1013 Harrison Avenue
[41:12] project in accordance with section C.4
[41:14] four of the cooperation agreement buying
[41:16] between the Boston Redevelopment
[41:17] Authority doing business as a Boston
[41:18] Planning and Development Agency and the
[41:21] Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of
[41:23] Technology dated November 29th, 2023.
[41:26] This is a certificate of completion uh
[41:28] that we'll hear about at the closing
[41:30] remarks, but um there's no presentation.
[41:32] So, a motion is in order.
[41:34] So, move second.
[41:35] All those in favor?
[41:36] I I opposed. The eyes have it. Motion
[41:40] passes. Item number seven,formational
[41:43] update on our one-year progress of a
[41:46] place to thrive, an anti-displacement
[41:48] action plan for Boston, outlining
[41:50] targeted policies, programs, and
[41:52] resources city departments committed to
[41:54] advance on a two-year implementation
[41:57] timeline to mitigate residential, small
[41:59] business, and cultural displacement.
[42:01] Katherine, hello everyone. Apologies.
[42:03] Uh, it's a pleasure to be with you. I'm
[42:04] Katherine Lusk, executive director of
[42:06] the Planning Advisory Council. Was last
[42:08] before you a year ago. um when the board
[42:11] adopted a place to thrive, Boston's
[42:12] first anti-displacement plan. It's a
[42:14] pleasure to be back in front of you with
[42:15] an update one year on. Uh next slide.
[42:20] [clears throat]
[42:21] So, as a quick reminder, in July 2025,
[42:24] Boston adopted our first citywide
[42:25] anti-displacement plan. Um within the
[42:28] plan, we focused on residential as well
[42:30] as small business and cultural
[42:31] displacement. At the time, the plan
[42:33] included 29 new or updated residential
[42:35] stabilization policies or programs and
[42:38] 15 commercial and cultural stabilization
[42:40] initiatives. The [clears throat] tools
[42:42] were designed to fill gaps in our
[42:43] existing toolkit. So, there was a
[42:45] rigorous process which I won't remind
[42:47] everyone of uh both engaging with
[42:49] community looking at best practices and
[42:50] doing a deep dive into all of the
[42:52] resources that we have at our disposal
[42:54] at the time and really understanding uh
[42:56] what those gaps were that we needed to
[42:57] fill. Um it was an administrativewide
[42:59] effort. The plan was created in
[43:00] partnership with more than 20
[43:01] departments and together with community.
[43:03] At the time, we stated we were on a
[43:05] two-year implementation timeline and we
[43:07] made a public commitment to a one-year
[43:09] progress report. Next slide.
[43:13] Again, by way of additional background,
[43:15] um uh to be most effective, we started
[43:17] with a common understanding of what we
[43:18] mean when we say displacement. In
[43:20] general, it means when people are forced
[43:21] to leave their homes and neighborhoods
[43:23] due to external pressures. But there are
[43:25] different kinds of displacement that we
[43:26] see um and hear from our residents that
[43:29] they're living with on a day-to-day
[43:30] basis. And the plan worked to address
[43:32] all four. So direct displacement refers
[43:34] to when a household is forced to move uh
[43:37] typically due to something like an
[43:38] eviction, a foreclosure, or demolition
[43:39] of the property. Economic displacement,
[43:42] sometimes also called indirect
[43:43] displacement, is when people are priced
[43:45] out of their chosen community, be it the
[43:46] city at large or their chosen
[43:48] neighborhood, due to rising costs and
[43:49] expenses or lack of supply relative to
[43:52] demand. Commercial and cultural
[43:53] displacement refers to the closure or
[43:55] relocation of a business, which may be
[43:57] due to direct or economic displacement.
[43:59] Our businesses experience the same kind
[44:00] of pressures that our residents do. And
[44:03] then lastly, gentrification typically
[44:05] describes a pattern of neighborhood
[44:06] change where a neighborhood experiences
[44:08] new public or private investment. often
[44:10] accompanied by demographic change.
[44:12] Historically, that's referred to
[44:13] instances where low-income residents are
[44:15] replaced by higher income earning
[44:17] residents. Next slide.
[44:20] Again, last slide. By way of final
[44:21] reminder, um Boston's approach was
[44:23] structured around the four Ps of
[44:25] stability. So, um this was just a way of
[44:28] explaining to the public as we think
[44:29] about a broad array of tools and
[44:31] resources. Um how do we uh sort of uh
[44:34] philosophically and through a framework
[44:36] um work to mitigate displacement? So, on
[44:38] the residential side, we work to protect
[44:40] low-income renters and homeowners from
[44:42] displacement. We work to preserve um
[44:45] affordable public and private uh housing
[44:47] and make sure it stays affordable, to
[44:49] produce new housing for people of all
[44:51] incomes, and to support prosperity. So,
[44:54] building wealth through home ownership,
[44:55] workforce development, and financial
[44:56] empowerment is as important as
[44:58] responding to a crisis a household might
[45:00] be experiencing. Um, we have those same
[45:02] principles when it comes to commercial
[45:04] and cultural stability. Working to
[45:05] protect, anchor small businesses and
[45:06] cultural enterprises, preserve physical
[45:08] spaces and places that are important to
[45:10] community, produce new affordable and
[45:12] market rate commercial cultural spaces
[45:14] and priority areas, and support
[45:16] prosperity for our small businesses by
[45:18] building wealth through ownership and
[45:19] contracting opportunities.
[45:22] So, with that, I'm going to turn it over
[45:23] to my colleague Joy Armstrong, who is
[45:25] going to take you through some updates
[45:26] um, and some specific progress we've
[45:28] seen over the last year.
[45:29] Great. Thank you.
[45:33] Hi, I'm Joy Armstrong, implementation
[45:35] manager with the planning advisory
[45:36] council and yes, here to give you guys
[45:39] an overall update and go to the next
[45:40] slide um on progress over the last year
[45:44] of implementation. So, we're looking at
[45:46] 53 tools in total. Nearly 70% of our
[45:50] commitments are already actively being
[45:52] implemented or or are in development.
[45:55] This includes 10 new initiatives
[45:56] launched since the original plan was
[45:58] adopted. 11 policies are sitting in our
[46:01] legislative pipeline awaiting state or
[46:02] city council action. Six initiatives are
[46:05] currently paused or under review. These
[46:07] are driven primarily by shifts in the
[46:09] broader regulatory environment or
[46:11] resource constraints. Next slide.
[46:16] Now we'll go into a few progress
[46:18] highlights from plan implementation over
[46:20] the last year. In January 2026, we
[46:22] launched the article 80 direct
[46:24] displacement disclosure pilot under
[46:26] which proponents of new small and large
[46:28] projects must notify existing tenants of
[46:30] the project and disclose potential
[46:32] direct residential, commercial or
[46:34] cultural displacement to the city at
[46:36] filing, including proposed mitigation
[46:38] where relevant. This pilot puts two
[46:40] things in place. one, a unified review
[46:43] process across the departments that
[46:45] would need to respond to this
[46:46] disclosure, including planning, the
[46:48] mayor's office of housing, the office of
[46:50] economic opportunity inclusion, and the
[46:52] mayor's office of arts and culture. Two,
[46:54] it puts in place a clearer, more
[46:55] transparent pathway so displacement
[46:57] commitments stay visible as projects
[46:59] move forward. Since launching, we've
[47:01] accomplished four major milestones. One,
[47:04] we built out the core tool kit, the core
[47:06] toolkit for the disclosure, including a
[47:07] standardized disclosure forms, tenant
[47:10] notification templates, and priority
[47:12] population guidance. Two, we embedded
[47:14] the requirement into our development
[47:16] review process, adding it to pre-file
[47:18] guidance and internal review tools.
[47:20] Three, we strengthened our cross
[47:21] departmental coordination so roles are
[47:23] clearer among relevant departments. And
[47:25] four, finally, we set up an internal
[47:27] tracker to evaluate the pilot over its
[47:29] 12-month run. Next slide.
[47:34] To see an example of how this has worked
[47:36] in practice, let's we're looking at a
[47:38] project on Washington Street which came
[47:39] in earlier this year. Here the city
[47:42] received information earlier in review
[47:44] that previously would have been
[47:45] discovered much later. In this example,
[47:47] the proposal would replace an existing
[47:49] retail building with 35 homes and two
[47:52] new storefronts. With this pilot now in
[47:54] place, our staff flagged those active
[47:56] uses during initial intake and requested
[47:58] the d the direct displacement
[48:00] disclosure. Next, the disclosure made
[48:02] potential displacement more visible. The
[48:05] disclosure documented two current
[48:07] commercial tenants, including a
[48:08] long-standing small business. In this
[48:11] case, the proponent also indicated
[48:13] willingness to work with qualifying
[48:14] tenants on relocation terms and
[48:16] potential return to the new development.
[48:19] Finally, it also established clear city
[48:21] ownership and cross-dep departmental
[48:22] handoffs. After being circulated
[48:25] internally, the disclosure um
[48:26] development review connected the project
[48:28] with our dedicated team in OOI and small
[48:31] business, ensuring the right city staff
[48:32] are engaged to support those tenants as
[48:34] the review moves forward. It's still
[48:37] early in the pilot and projects have not
[48:39] advanced far enough for us to point to
[48:40] many completed mitigation agreements
[48:42] yet, but we are already seeing the
[48:44] process do what it was designed to do.
[48:46] Tenants are receiving advanced notice.
[48:48] Proponents are documenting existing
[48:50] tenencies at filing. And the city has
[48:52] information earlier in review that
[48:53] previously could have been difficult to
[48:55] identify.
[48:57] Next slide.
[48:59] Moving to our next progress highlight.
[49:01] We're looking at the Boston Acquisition
[49:02] Fund. The Mayor's Office of Housing
[49:05] created a public private revolving loan
[49:07] fund to support missiondriven developers
[49:09] in purchasing and preserving occupied
[49:11] multif family properties to convert them
[49:13] into permanently affordable housing. On
[49:15] the progress side, the fund now sits at
[49:17] $45 million. It's actively administered
[49:20] by our partners at the Massachusetts
[49:22] Housing Investment Corporation. Recent
[49:24] acquisitions align with community
[49:26] priorities set during planning and
[49:27] processes. A great example of this
[49:29] pictured here on the left is the recent
[49:31] acquisition of Parkside on Adams and
[49:33] Rosendale Village, which successfully
[49:35] preserved 43 rental units as long-term
[49:37] affordable homes for the neighborhoods.
[49:40] Next slide. Our next highlight is on the
[49:43] housing accelerator fund. This is a $110
[49:46] million municipal revol revolving loan
[49:49] program designed to jumpstart
[49:51] residential construction and make
[49:53] stalled mixed income projects
[49:54] financially viable across the city. That
[49:57] 110 million is broken down across three
[50:00] main buckets. 50 million was dedicated
[50:02] to the Bunker Hill redevelopment. This
[50:04] funding enabled construction to kick off
[50:06] on a 266 unit mixed [clears throat]
[50:08] income building in Charles Town which
[50:10] includes 58 deeply affordable units. The
[50:13] next 50 million was dedicated to
[50:15] preferred equity financing for market
[50:16] rate rental housing. These investments
[50:18] are being made alongside the state
[50:20] matching their ongoing investments in
[50:22] housing creation across Boston. And the
[50:24] final 10 million was aimed at market
[50:26] rate home ownership projects. On this
[50:28] piece, the the Boston Housing Authority
[50:30] has issued an RFP for its first round of
[50:32] accelerated funding and is currently
[50:34] active actively reviewing pro proposals
[50:37] with another funding round anticipated
[50:39] in the future.
[50:41] Next slide.
[50:43] Next, our office to residential
[50:45] conversion program. Our fasttrack
[50:47] permitting and tax incentive
[50:48] [clears throat] program to accelerate
[50:49] the conversion of older underutilized
[50:51] office buildings into mixed income
[50:53] multif family residential units. Looking
[50:55] at our progress, 19 projects are now
[50:57] board approved, representing nearly 1500
[50:59] units total, 276 of which are income
[51:02] restricted. Seven projects are actively
[51:05] in construction and one is fully
[51:06] completed. And we have another nine
[51:08] applica applications currently underway.
[51:11] Next slide.
[51:13] Additionally, there are some instances
[51:15] where we've had to remain adaptive in
[51:17] the last year. Some efforts are on hold
[51:20] due to staffing or financial constraints
[51:21] that limit feasibility at this time. And
[51:24] in other instances, there have been
[51:26] impacts from federal actions or
[51:28] regulatory changes. Next slide.
[51:33] Oh, you can
[51:35] skip through these. And another Yeah,
[51:37] there we go. In the last year, we've
[51:39] also been able to add In the last year,
[51:40] we've also been able to add 10 new tools
[51:42] to the toolbox responsive to the needs
[51:44] of community. These center around
[51:46] lowering utility burden, ensuring that
[51:48] our business districts are vibrant, and
[51:51] contributing to long-term planning
[51:53] efforts.
[51:54] Next slide.
[51:56] You can learn about our progress on all
[51:58] other tools from the plan in our year 1
[52:01] progress report which you can find at
[52:02] boston.gov/anti-displacement.
[52:05] Thank you. And we're happy to answer any
[52:07] questions.
[52:08] Great. Thank you. Uh questions
[52:11] or comments from the chair?
[52:12] Quick comment. Um, well, with access to
[52:15] capital being so tough right now for
[52:18] projects to pencil out, we need programs
[52:20] like this to accelerate housing and also
[52:23] to accelerate construction projects to
[52:25] get, you know, people in the city back
[52:27] to work. So, um, definitely I think this
[52:29] is a great program, 266 units in the
[52:32] Bucket Hill area. That's great to see.
[52:36] Yeah.
[52:38] Additional questions or comments?
[52:40] Well, this isformational update.
[52:42] Go ahead, please. Yeah,
[52:45] Kate, the floor.
[52:45] Sorry, I can't see this.
[52:46] I know. [laughter]
[52:47] Should I go ahead? Okay.
[52:48] Yes.
[52:49] Sorry. Um,
[52:51] I'm just wondering what the disclosure
[52:54] notice like can you just briefly
[52:56] summarize what that says and does the
[52:58] city provide that language or do the
[53:01] developers?
[53:03] Sure. There's Yeah. Yeah. Kate, great
[53:05] question. Um, there's uh three
[53:07] components to the article article 80
[53:09] direct displacement disclosure process.
[53:11] The first is the tenant notification
[53:13] form. So we provided tenants um sorry we
[53:16] provided proponents with templated what
[53:18] we call TNFs. Um there's a version of it
[53:21] for residential tenants and there's a
[53:23] version of it for small business
[53:24] tenants. In both instances it's
[53:26] providing the tenant with information
[53:28] about the proposed project and it
[53:30] includes uh additional resources that
[53:33] are available on the city side. So for
[53:34] example for residents it would direct
[53:36] them to the office of housing stability
[53:38] um and other folks they can call in the
[53:39] city you know within mayor's office of
[53:41] housing um in the small business TNF it
[53:43] would direct them to the uh neighborhood
[53:45] business managers and other people they
[53:46] can reach out to with resource for
[53:48] additional resources the disclosure
[53:50] itself the proponent fills out and
[53:52] submits to the city and that's where
[53:54] we're getting additional information
[53:56] about either current residential
[53:58] tenencies or current small business and
[54:00] cultural tenencies. So who are the
[54:02] tenants? what's the nature of the terms
[54:04] of their leases and then has there been
[54:07] discussion with them about the proposed
[54:09] project and has there been any
[54:10] discussion with them about either
[54:12] relocation or options to return in the
[54:14] future. The third piece of the project
[54:17] as it moves through the pipeline is
[54:19] documentation of any of those
[54:21] considerations about relocation or
[54:24] options to return and those unfold in
[54:26] partnership with both the tenants of
[54:28] course with input from community led by
[54:30] our colleagues in development review and
[54:32] with input from staff from um supporting
[54:35] departments.
[54:37] That's great. Thanks Katherine. And so
[54:40] if I understood what you said, it sounds
[54:42] like it's too early to know
[54:46] if there are you are you measuring
[54:48] actual actual displacements through that
[54:51] process?
[54:52] It's a not at the moment it's a
[54:54] notification process. So it's both
[54:56] ensuring that there's greater
[54:58] transparency for the existing tenants
[55:00] about the project kicking off. So
[55:02] they're not finding out from, you know,
[55:04] natural examples, right? Someone's
[55:05] walking their dog saying, "Did you know
[55:06] that your your building's being
[55:08] redeveloped?" so that there's really uh
[55:10] transparency upfront for the tenants. Um
[55:12] and then it's also just putting in place
[55:14] the uh uh to ensure predictability for
[55:17] all parties that the city also has
[55:19] information and is able to provide both
[55:21] support to those tenants and then also
[55:23] work with the proponent throughout the
[55:25] development process to ensure that any
[55:28] um any ways that they might want to
[55:29] mitigate displacement impacts or think
[55:31] about obviously in some instances folks
[55:33] really want to hang on to a really
[55:35] important small business that has great
[55:36] foot traffic and create pathways
[55:37] [clears throat] to bring them back and
[55:38] we just want to make sure that we're
[55:39] accounting for that as the develop
[55:41] velment process as the um filing process
[55:44] continues. So, we have a 12-month pilot
[55:47] underway right now. We're really making
[55:49] sure that the process is working, that
[55:51] the developer is doing what they're told
[55:53] to. We're doing what we're told to, our
[55:55] colleagues and other departments are at
[55:56] the table and community is well
[55:58] informed. Um, and then we'll report back
[56:00] to the board at the end of the calendar
[56:03] year. The pilot officially went into
[56:05] place. You all adopted it in October and
[56:07] it officially went into place in January
[56:09] of 2026.
[56:12] Great. Thanks. Appreciate it.
[56:14] Great. Um, just a couple of of
[56:17] questions. Um, so I think it's it's
[56:21] great. Um, this is more just on the
[56:22] process of the planning and advisory
[56:25] council. I love that it's there that
[56:26] it's in place. Um, and um, but I'm just
[56:29] curious, right, like how who from an
[56:31] ownership and roles and responsibility
[56:33] structure like how do you manage that?
[56:35] And I just love love love this um you
[56:38] know this annual report right of the
[56:42] pilot. Um it shows great transparency
[56:44] and accountability of what we're you
[56:46] know of what we're doing all the things
[56:48] that we're doing um and gives us the
[56:50] kind of the working definition so that
[56:52] we can have kind of these nuance
[56:54] conversation right about um what is
[56:57] displacement right and what are specific
[57:00] things that we can do depending on the
[57:01] type of displacement. Um, and I really
[57:03] appreciate the um the [clears throat]
[57:06] examples that you give. Um, because
[57:08] anyway, I'm just I just really like this
[57:10] because I can it helps me um have these
[57:13] conversations, right, as when you're
[57:16] talking to your neighbors and, you know,
[57:18] trying to not combat some of the, you
[57:20] know, the real challenges, but to
[57:24] highlight
[57:25] the different things that we're doing to
[57:27] be able to address those challenges. So,
[57:30] um, in there there was a question, but
[57:32] yeah, the ownership, how's it going with
[57:35] the council?
[57:36] Sure. Um, I think this, uh, perfectly
[57:39] exemplifies the reason for the formation
[57:41] of the planning advisory council. We
[57:43] really were designed by the mayor and
[57:45] the planning department to be a central
[57:47] coordinating body for plans. In this
[57:49] case, we stood up a plan. Um, it was
[57:52] truly a cross- departmental effort. So
[57:55] um even in the early days we had five
[57:58] ultimately seven cabinet chiefs who said
[57:59] how do we actually create this plan
[58:01] together and so it's very much a sense
[58:03] of uh collective ownership and then the
[58:05] planning advisory council as our team is
[58:08] taking responsibility for doing the
[58:10] ongoing tracking and then public
[58:12] progress reporting.
[58:13] Fabulous. Um all right. Um,
[58:17] oh, last thing. I hope I'll be seeing
[58:20] some more like Instagram reels and
[58:22] stories and stuff about this with the
[58:24] P's and all of that. Like I I want to
[58:26] just also commend everybody on their
[58:28] social media like um pages um and those
[58:33] little videos to kind of explain some of
[58:35] these definitions to explain those
[58:36] concepts um I think are just really
[58:38] great. So um you know
[58:40] we appreciate that. That was one of the
[58:42] things that we tried to do at the
[58:43] beginning. I think the uh it is a a
[58:46] topic about which people feel deeply and
[58:48] and experience in their day-to-day lives
[58:50] and trying to help people understand the
[58:53] coordinated way that the city is working
[58:55] together to advance it. Um but also
[58:58] do explainer videos and other things on
[59:00] social media as we did when we adopted
[59:01] the plan last summer so that folks
[59:03] really know that this is a coordinated
[59:04] strategy versus just individual tools
[59:07] being deployed by individual
[59:08] departments.
[59:09] Yeah. Yeah. That's so great. Um, all
[59:11] right. Any other questions or comments?
[59:14] All right. This isformational update. I
[59:16] feel very informed. So, thank you so
[59:18] much. [laughter]
[59:19] Um, really appreciate it. Keep up the
[59:21] awesome work.
[59:23] Okay. Item number eight, request
[59:26] authorization to execute an an amended
[59:29] and restated cooperation agreement for
[59:31] the Alustin Green project located at 20
[59:33] Lynden Street in Alustin to adjust the
[59:36] payment schedule for mitigation and
[59:38] public benefits funds for from the
[59:40] project. Aaron,
[59:41] thank you, Chair Rojas. Uh, good evening
[59:43] everybody, members of the board,
[59:45] Director Shen and Secretary Pois. I'm
[59:47] here u my name is Aaron Hollquist.
[59:49] manager for developer compliance here to
[59:51] request that the director be authorized
[59:53] to execute and deliver a first amended
[59:55] and restated cooperation agreement for
[59:57] the Austin Green project at 20 Lynen
[1:00:00] Street in Austin. When the board
[1:00:02] approved this project back in December
[1:00:03] of 2020,
[1:00:06] um Austin Green was approved by the
[1:00:07] board uh following following
[1:00:10] contributions, sorry, were included in
[1:00:11] the overall suite of mitigation and
[1:00:13] public benefits. $100,000 to the BPDA to
[1:00:16] be paid at the issuance of a building
[1:00:18] permit held in escrow by the BPDA and
[1:00:21] released to the Austin Brighton
[1:00:22] Community Development Corporation.
[1:00:24] $30,000 towards the Austin Brighton
[1:00:26] mobility study due at building permit as
[1:00:28] well and a further $5,000 also at
[1:00:31] building permit for an Austin Brighton
[1:00:33] youth coordinator position. Uh over the
[1:00:36] past several years, the ongoing real
[1:00:38] estate market uncertainties and
[1:00:40] post-pandemic operational disruptions
[1:00:42] have delayed construction beyond the
[1:00:44] original construction schedule, altering
[1:00:47] the timeline for the construction of the
[1:00:49] three buildings that comprise the
[1:00:50] overall Alustin Green development. For
[1:00:52] instance, we have three buildings in
[1:00:54] this project. Buildings A, B, and C.
[1:00:56] Building C is the first one that is
[1:00:58] underway. We've kind of gone backwards,
[1:01:00] and it's also the smallest of the three.
[1:01:02] It's only 49,000 square ft with 68
[1:01:04] residential units. So that pulled
[1:01:07] permits um last year um in the fall. Um
[1:01:12] reached out to them looking for payment
[1:01:14] and basically found out that the you
[1:01:17] know ultimately the cash wasn't there.
[1:01:19] We're seeing this across the the real
[1:01:21] estate market as you probably know. Um
[1:01:24] these circumstances have led the owner
[1:01:25] and us to renegotiate the milestones at
[1:01:28] which these uh the mitigation and public
[1:01:30] benefit contributions are to be paid. Uh
[1:01:33] going forward then these contributions
[1:01:35] will be provided in two installments.
[1:01:37] The first half 67,500 will be provided
[1:01:40] within 90 days of the issuance of the
[1:01:42] certificate of occupancy for building C
[1:01:45] the building currently underway. and the
[1:01:47] second half 67,500
[1:01:49] will be provided within 90 days of the
[1:01:51] issuance of the certificate of occupancy
[1:01:53] for building A or B whichever happens
[1:01:56] first. So uh hopefully uh the way I see
[1:02:00] things going building C which is
[1:02:02] currently under construction hopefully
[1:02:04] get the COO for that I believe first
[1:02:07] quarter next year within 90 days I will
[1:02:10] take receipt of that first trench and
[1:02:12] then be looking for the second trench uh
[1:02:14] after COO of the next building. Uh, with
[1:02:16] that, I'm happy to entertain any of your
[1:02:17] questions.
[1:02:18] Okay. Uh, questions or comments from the
[1:02:20] board.
[1:02:23] Um, I think it's just an excellent uh an
[1:02:26] excellent catch, right? Or just an
[1:02:29] excellent illustration of how our
[1:02:31] processes, our internal processes work
[1:02:33] to identify, right, to stay on those
[1:02:36] milestones and stick to the what we
[1:02:39] contractually agreed agreed upon. Um,
[1:02:41] and then, you know, if not, then we
[1:02:43] Yeah. I mean,
[1:02:46] you talk about it and do one of these
[1:02:48] [laughter] so that you can figure it
[1:02:50] out. But again, I'm uh guess I'm really
[1:02:52] like process and control focused today.
[1:02:54] But um uh just want to highlight that
[1:02:57] that's that working and and it's not at
[1:03:01] the end way end of the project, right?
[1:03:04] That we're oh did anybody check on that,
[1:03:07] right? Kind of combats that like common
[1:03:10] misunderstanding or that perception,
[1:03:12] right? like and so you put the processes
[1:03:14] in place and put the money trenches in
[1:03:18] place u for that reason and I think it's
[1:03:20] just a you know it tells a great story
[1:03:22] of our processes.
[1:03:24] Well I think with this work it's just uh
[1:03:26] between what I do working with project
[1:03:29] managers with our legal department in
[1:03:30] particular is just making sure we're in
[1:03:32] constant communication with the
[1:03:33] proponent and their their legal counsel
[1:03:35] as well.
[1:03:36] Yeah. Good stuff. Um all right any other
[1:03:39] questions or comments? Hearing and
[1:03:41] seeing none, a motion is in order.
[1:03:42] So moved.
[1:03:43] Second.
[1:03:43] All those in favor?
[1:03:45] I
[1:03:45] opposed. The eyes have it. Uh motion
[1:03:47] passes. Thanks, Aaron. Item number nine,
[1:03:49] request authorization to issue a
[1:03:51] certification of approval pursuant to
[1:03:52] article 80E small project review of the
[1:03:54] zoning code for the proposed
[1:03:56] construction of 42 residential rental
[1:03:58] units, including seven IC units, 24 car
[1:04:00] parking spaces, and 44 bicycle spaces
[1:04:03] located at 697 Cambridge Street. And to
[1:04:06] execute a community benefits agreement
[1:04:07] and to take all related actions. Dan.
[1:04:10] Thank you. Good evening, Madam Chair,
[1:04:11] members of the board, Secretary Paul
[1:04:13] Heis, Director Shen. My name is Daniel
[1:04:15] Palano, project manager for the small
[1:04:17] project review for you this evening at
[1:04:19] 697 Cambridge Street located in the
[1:04:22] Bright Neighborhood. On October 23rd,
[1:04:24] 2025, the proponent filed an application
[1:04:26] for a small project review with the
[1:04:28] planning department for the proposed
[1:04:30] project pursuant to article 80 of the
[1:04:32] Boston Zoning Code. In addition to that,
[1:04:34] the planning department also sponsored
[1:04:36] and held a virtual public meeting on
[1:04:38] November 18th, 2025 via Zoom. Uh, next
[1:04:41] slide, please.
[1:04:45] Um, the project seeks to erect a
[1:04:47] three-story addition at top existing
[1:04:49] two-story commercial structure,
[1:04:50] resulting in a five-story residential
[1:04:52] building um with total gross uh floor
[1:04:56] area approximately 29,741
[1:04:59] square ft. The project will introduce 42
[1:05:01] new residential rental units, including
[1:05:04] seven IZ units and provide 24 uh off-
[1:05:07] streetet parking spaces. The residential
[1:05:09] units will include approximately 16 uh
[1:05:12] studio units, 20 onebedroom units, four
[1:05:15] uh two-bedroom units, and two
[1:05:16] three-bedroom units. In addition to
[1:05:18] this, uh prior to a certificate of
[1:05:20] occupancy, the proponent will provide a
[1:05:22] $5,000 contribution to the Austin Main
[1:05:24] Streets and for the purpose of
[1:05:27] landscaping and cleanup. In addition to
[1:05:28] that, another 5,000 uh contributing to
[1:05:31] soccer and youth uh uh hockey leagues.
[1:05:34] Um the applicant also agreed to work
[1:05:36] with the Brazilian Women's Group were
[1:05:38] currently tenants of the building to
[1:05:39] identify the alternative location for
[1:05:40] its office. I'll now turn it over to uh
[1:05:43] Ford Delve to speak on the planning
[1:05:44] context.
[1:05:47] Thank you, Dan. My name is Ford Delveio
[1:05:49] and I'm the planning reviewer assigned
[1:05:51] for this project. Uh next slide, please.
[1:05:53] Perfect. The proposed project is located
[1:05:56] at the corner of Cambridge and Dustin
[1:05:57] Streets in a single family residential
[1:06:00] subdist of Alustin Brighton neighborhood
[1:06:01] zoning district. Tenants of the
[1:06:03] commercial building at this location
[1:06:04] include medical offices and the offices
[1:06:06] of a nonprofit organization. The
[1:06:08] proposed project is located in the study
[1:06:10] area of the Alustin Brighton needs
[1:06:11] assessment adopted by the BPDA board in
[1:06:13] 2024. Staff note that the provision of
[1:06:15] new multif family housing is consistent
[1:06:17] with the plan's findings related to the
[1:06:19] need for additional housing in this
[1:06:20] neighborhood to date. To date, zoning
[1:06:22] has not been updated in this location to
[1:06:24] affectuate the goals of the needs
[1:06:25] assessment, nor the draft findings of
[1:06:27] the ongoing Austin Bright community
[1:06:28] plan. Planning department staff note
[1:06:31] that while this area is zoned for single
[1:06:32] family use, the immediate area is
[1:06:34] predominantly characterized by
[1:06:35] institutional and multif family
[1:06:37] residential uses. Likewise, dimensional
[1:06:39] requirements and zoning suited to single
[1:06:41] family dwellings do not comport with a
[1:06:43] larger scale of these uses that include
[1:06:45] educational and medical facilities such
[1:06:47] as Franciscan's Children's Hospital,
[1:06:49] Boston Medical Center Brighton, and the
[1:06:50] Boston Green Academy. Given this diverse
[1:06:53] commercial, educational medical context,
[1:06:55] the proposed multif family residential
[1:06:56] use development complements the
[1:06:58] surrounding neighborhood fabric and
[1:06:59] aligns with the or corridor's ongoing
[1:07:01] urban evolution. Thank you. And I'll now
[1:07:03] turn it over to my colleague Andrew
[1:07:05] Zimmerman to present the project uh from
[1:07:06] the urban design perspective. Thank you.
[1:07:08] Thanks.
[1:07:11] Good afternoon. Uh my name is Andrew
[1:07:13] Zimmerman. I am the urban designer
[1:07:15] assigned to this project. I'm going to
[1:07:16] walk you through the uh design of the
[1:07:18] project. Um, as you can see here, the
[1:07:22] project proposes to maintain the
[1:07:24] existing building envelope and address
[1:07:26] and the uh maintain the envelope and the
[1:07:30] accessible entry at the along Cambridge
[1:07:33] Street. The proposed site plan includes
[1:07:35] Dustin Street edge updates to provide
[1:07:38] complete street compliant sidewalks,
[1:07:40] hosting four new street trees and
[1:07:42] visitor bike parking. Proposed street
[1:07:45] trees and sidewalk adjacent front yard
[1:07:47] trees will also introduce canopy along
[1:07:50] Cambridge Street frontage and provide
[1:07:52] more pedestrian scale for the street and
[1:07:54] building. Finally, uh the proposed
[1:07:56] transformer will has been reoriented
[1:07:59] closer to the street to allow for easier
[1:08:01] access and make room for uh more on-site
[1:08:04] landscaping near the building. Next
[1:08:06] slide.
[1:08:09] Uh the project preserves the existing
[1:08:12] brickmasonry building while adding three
[1:08:14] vertical stories to create much neededed
[1:08:16] housing. To minimize uh height impacts
[1:08:19] on the neighboring properties, the top
[1:08:20] floor steps back in alignment with the
[1:08:23] scale of existing buildings across
[1:08:25] Cambridge Street. The additions updated
[1:08:28] material pallet contrasts with the
[1:08:30] existing masonry base while respecting
[1:08:32] its original craftsmanship.
[1:08:34] [snorts]
[1:08:34] At the basement level, uh full height
[1:08:37] window wells provide ample natural light
[1:08:39] to enhance livability.
[1:08:41] Uh following feedback from the planning
[1:08:43] department, the proponent revise the
[1:08:44] masting and site plan to deliver more
[1:08:46] sensitive contextual design that
[1:08:49] enriches the public realm and we expect
[1:08:51] to continue to refine the building and
[1:08:54] site elements with the proponent during
[1:08:56] the postboard design review process. Uh
[1:08:59] with that, I'll pass it back to Dan.
[1:09:03] Thank you, Andrew. Um, this uh concludes
[1:09:05] our presentation. We do have the
[1:09:07] development team here to answer any
[1:09:08] questions for you. Thank you.
[1:09:09] Okay. Thank you. Questions or comments
[1:09:11] from the board?
[1:09:13] Can you go back to um I think at the
[1:09:17] beginning you said um something about
[1:09:19] the Brazilian women's group and like the
[1:09:23] So, can you I just didn't hear the
[1:09:25] sentence and I couldn't find it.
[1:09:27] There's a Yes. No, absolutely. There's a
[1:09:30] women's a Brazilian women's group there.
[1:09:31] They uh work with um obviously providing
[1:09:35] services of translation um other
[1:09:37] immigration work and they're the current
[1:09:39] tenants there and um the proponent has
[1:09:42] agreed to work with them. They actually
[1:09:44] extended their lease for a year and so
[1:09:46] they were committed to u finding them a
[1:09:50] different location once uh it's getting
[1:09:52] close to to that point and proponent
[1:09:55] also uh spoke to the counselor uh
[1:09:57] counselor's concerns was those were the
[1:09:58] major concerns and they agreed that they
[1:10:01] would work with them. So yeah.
[1:10:02] Yeah. Yeah. Um just want to highlight
[1:10:04] that it's a it's a major concern of mine
[1:10:07] um as well. um very this organization
[1:10:10] provides some really vital services to
[1:10:12] um large integrated populations um not
[1:10:15] only here in the Boston area but across
[1:10:17] Massachusetts. So um you know I don't
[1:10:20] know if that gets codified in anything
[1:10:23] in any way um but I just kind of want to
[1:10:27] make sure that there is like a followup
[1:10:30] and that happens and if not like that
[1:10:32] that would be something I'd want to know
[1:10:33] about. Yes, the it's it's written in our
[1:10:35] board memo as well or that they will uh
[1:10:39] have agreed to work with them uh and
[1:10:41] actually with the extension of the of
[1:10:43] the lease and working closely to that
[1:10:46] the proponent also agreed to make sure
[1:10:47] that they're they have us a place to go
[1:10:49] within the within the area. So
[1:10:51] yeah. Yeah.
[1:10:52] Yeah. And the counselor is on board as
[1:10:53] well. So we're keeping her in the loop.
[1:10:55] Yeah. Perfect.
[1:10:56] Um and thank you for doing that. and we
[1:11:00] just came off of the displacement, you
[1:11:02] know, anti-displacement and that's for
[1:11:03] our organizations and for people and so
[1:11:06] this is that that working in that. But
[1:11:08] yes, please.
[1:11:09] Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the
[1:11:10] board, Director Shen, Secretary
[1:11:12] Paleimus, Attorney Jeff Drago with Drago
[1:11:14] and Dano on behalf of the applicant.
[1:11:16] Just on your point, um one uh the uh
[1:11:20] developer, Mr. Aise, who's here
[1:11:22] immediately extended the lease to work
[1:11:24] with them. the building has been losing
[1:11:26] tenants over the years, so they're
[1:11:28] smaller spaces, but he also has actively
[1:11:31] used his contacts within the real estate
[1:11:33] community to start working with them
[1:11:35] one- on-one to find an alternate
[1:11:37] location. So, they've already been
[1:11:39] working together on that. So, he's
[1:11:41] committed to finding them something. I
[1:11:42] just wanted to make sure you knew that.
[1:11:44] Yeah. No, thank you.
[1:11:45] Um, and I'm glad again we're just having
[1:11:47] the, you know, the conversation on the
[1:11:48] record and all of that stuff. Um, that,
[1:11:50] you know, these are the kind of things
[1:11:52] that we
[1:11:53] uh intentionally look out for. So that's
[1:11:56] I think the end of my questions. Uh any
[1:11:58] further questions or comments? Hearing
[1:12:00] and seeing none. A motion is in order.
[1:12:02] So move second.
[1:12:03] All those in favor? I
[1:12:04] I
[1:12:05] opposed. The eyes have it. Motion
[1:12:07] passes. Thank you so much and good luck
[1:12:08] with the project. I appreciate
[1:12:11] item number 10. request authorization to
[1:12:13] enter into an affordable rental housing
[1:12:15] agreement and restriction and affordable
[1:12:18] housing contribution agreement by and
[1:12:20] between the BPDA and Berkeley 176
[1:12:24] Lincoln Holdings LLC care of Berkeley
[1:12:27] Investments Incorporated if necessary or
[1:12:30] require the same be executed by and
[1:12:33] between the proponent and the mayor's
[1:12:34] office of housing in connection with the
[1:12:36] proposed development located at 176
[1:12:39] Lincoln Street and to take all related
[1:12:41] actions. Andy.
[1:12:42] Uh, thank you very much, Madam Chair,
[1:12:44] Director Shen, Secretary Poheimis, and
[1:12:47] members of the board. I'm Andy Feldman,
[1:12:49] housing policy manager with the mayor's
[1:12:51] office of housing. Uh, tonight I'm here
[1:12:53] to request your vote on an affordable
[1:12:55] rental housing agreement and
[1:12:57] restriction, as well as an affordable
[1:12:59] housing contribution agreement for the
[1:13:01] proposed development at 176 Lincoln
[1:13:03] Street in Brighton. This development,
[1:13:05] previously approved development,
[1:13:06] proposes to build about 253 rental
[1:13:09] units. Uh the propo the proponent now
[1:13:11] proposes to revise its IDP program to
[1:13:14] include 50% of IDP units or 23 units on
[1:13:18] site in the residential building a
[1:13:20] including the 10 artist units. In lie of
[1:13:22] the other half of IDP units, the
[1:13:24] proponent will be make a contribution to
[1:13:26] the IDP special revenue fund of
[1:13:28] approximately $4.3 million as required
[1:13:31] by the policy. Uh therefore, the vote in
[1:13:33] front of you tonight will allow the
[1:13:34] agency to enter into this affordable
[1:13:37] rental housing agreement and restriction
[1:13:39] and the affordable housing contribution
[1:13:41] agreement. Happy to answer any questions
[1:13:43] that you may have. Thank you.
[1:13:44] Thank you. Questions or comments from
[1:13:46] the board. All right. Hearing and seeing
[1:13:48] none, a motion is in order.
[1:13:49] So moved.
[1:13:50] Second.
[1:13:50] All those in favor? I
[1:13:52] opposed. The eyes have it. Motion
[1:13:54] passes. Thanks, Andy.
[1:13:56] Item number 11 is TUS. Miss Duran.
[1:13:59] Madam Chair, I will recuse myself. Okay.
[1:14:01] Well, we will see you later.
[1:14:04] Item number 11, request authorization to
[1:14:06] wave further review of the TUS Medical
[1:14:08] Center institutional master plan
[1:14:10] notification form dated August 10th,
[1:14:12] 2026 for the renewal and extension of
[1:14:14] its 2012 institutional master plan for a
[1:14:17] period of 5 years until 2031 and to
[1:14:20] approve the renewal and extension of the
[1:14:22] TUS Medical Center institutional master
[1:14:24] plan pursuant to section 80D-5.2E,
[1:14:27] 2E section 80D-6 and section 80D-8 of
[1:14:31] the zoning code and to take all related
[1:14:33] actions. Tyler.
[1:14:34] Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the
[1:14:36] board, Secretary Pimis. I am Tyler Ross,
[1:14:39] senior project manager in the
[1:14:40] development review division. The
[1:14:41] proposal for you is the TUS Medical
[1:14:43] Center institutional master plan for
[1:14:45] renewal and extension with no changes
[1:14:47] for the term of 5 years. This is a
[1:14:49] renewal of the existing institutional
[1:14:51] master plan that was board approved in
[1:14:52] July of 2012, which was subsequently
[1:14:55] renewed and extended without changes in
[1:14:57] 2022 and 2024. At this time, Tus Medical
[1:15:01] Center does not anticipate any new
[1:15:03] institutional projects for the term of
[1:15:04] the renewed institutional master plan.
[1:15:07] The requested 5-year renewal is intended
[1:15:09] to provide a bridge while TUS Medical
[1:15:11] Center under President John Herman
[1:15:13] advances strategic facilities in real
[1:15:15] estate planning that will inform a new
[1:15:17] comprehensive institutional master plan
[1:15:19] in the future. The review process for
[1:15:21] this institutional master plan renewal
[1:15:23] began on August 10th and concluded on
[1:15:25] September 10th. Since that time, no
[1:15:27] comments were received. This concludes
[1:15:29] the presentation. Thank you.
[1:15:31] Okay. Thank you. Um questions or
[1:15:33] comments for the board? Okay. Hearing
[1:15:35] and saying none, a motion is in order.
[1:15:37] So moved.
[1:15:38] Second.
[1:15:38] All those in favor? I
[1:15:40] I
[1:15:41] the oppos. The eyes have it. Motion
[1:15:42] passes. Thank you, Tyler.
[1:15:45] Item number 13, request authorization.
[1:15:47] Oh, can someone get um Yeah,
[1:15:50] [laughter]
[1:15:51] I'll still read it. Or did I move the
[1:15:54] wrong
[1:15:55] Oh, item number 12. I turned my page too
[1:15:57] fast. um request authorization to issue
[1:15:59] a certification of approval approval
[1:16:02] pursuant to article 80 small project
[1:16:04] review of the zoning code for the
[1:16:06] proposed construction of 20 residential
[1:16:08] home ownership units including four IZ
[1:16:10] units, five car parking spaces and 26
[1:16:12] bicycle parking spaces located at 2062
[1:16:15] Dorchester Avenue and to execute a
[1:16:18] community benefits agreement and to take
[1:16:19] all related actions. Tyler,
[1:16:21] thank you. And good evening, Madam
[1:16:22] Chair, Secretary uh Poheimis, Dire and
[1:16:26] Director Shen, and members of the board.
[1:16:27] My name is Tyler Ross. I am a senior
[1:16:29] project manager in the development
[1:16:31] review division. Uh filling in for my
[1:16:33] colleague Zoe Duval here to present to
[1:16:35] you the proposed article 80E small
[1:16:38] project located at 2062 Dorchester
[1:16:40] Avenue in the Dorchester neighborhood of
[1:16:42] Boston. Next slide, please.
[1:16:46] The project site is located on a 7,24
[1:16:51] ft parcel currently occupied with a
[1:16:53] vacant two family home. This project
[1:16:55] proposes to demolish the existing
[1:16:57] structure and construct a new fourstory
[1:17:00] plus mezzanine residential building with
[1:17:02] approximately 21,57
[1:17:05] gross square ft comprising of 20
[1:17:08] residential home ownership units, four
[1:17:10] income restricted units. Um, and the
[1:17:13] resident residential units will uh
[1:17:15] include approximately two studio units,
[1:17:18] 13 one-bedroom units, and five
[1:17:20] two-bedroom units. The project will also
[1:17:22] contain five off- streetet subgrade
[1:17:24] parking spaces and 34 interior long-term
[1:17:27] bike parking spaces on the ground floor.
[1:17:29] The project review application was filed
[1:17:31] on April 24th of 2025. The public
[1:17:35] comment period in the in connection with
[1:17:36] the proponent submission of the small
[1:17:38] project review application was open for
[1:17:40] 30 days and closed on May 26th of 2025.
[1:17:44] The planning department sponsored the
[1:17:45] first public meeting on May 19th of 2025
[1:17:48] and another on August 31st of 2026. Both
[1:17:52] of which were noticed through the
[1:17:53] planning department's neighborhood
[1:17:54] distribution list and events calendar
[1:17:56] for the Doorchester neighborhood. I'll
[1:17:58] now hand it over to my colleague Ford to
[1:18:00] take over um to go through the planning
[1:18:02] context. Thank you.
[1:18:03] Great. Thanks.
[1:18:05] [snorts]
[1:18:05] Thank you. Uh once again, my name is
[1:18:07] Ford Delveio and I'm the planning
[1:18:09] reviewer assigned for this project. That
[1:18:10] is the right side slide. Thank you. Um
[1:18:13] located in the Dorchester neighborhood
[1:18:15] zoning district's three family
[1:18:16] residential subdist and governed by
[1:18:18] article 65 of the Boston zoning code.
[1:18:20] The proposed project is located on
[1:18:21] Dorchester Avenue near Gallivan
[1:18:22] [clears throat] Boulevard approximately
[1:18:24] 1 half mile from the Ashbon MBTA
[1:18:26] station. The proposed project is not
[1:18:28] located in an area that has been the
[1:18:29] subject of recent planning or zoning
[1:18:30] initiatives. The requirements of current
[1:18:32] zoning do not comport with the current
[1:18:34] context. While the surrounding area is
[1:18:36] zoned for two and three family
[1:18:37] dwellings, the existing built
[1:18:38] environment includes a mix of two,
[1:18:39] three, and multif family dwellings. The
[1:18:41] proposed multif family use aligns with
[1:18:43] the established local fabric. Next
[1:18:45] slide, please.
[1:18:48] Thank you. Through the staff review
[1:18:49] process, the proposed project underwent
[1:18:51] refinement to enhance it compatibility
[1:18:53] with neighboring properties. In response
[1:18:55] to staff feedback regarding its relation
[1:18:56] to the adjacent lot and building, the
[1:18:58] proponent revised the proposed building
[1:19:00] envelope and setbacks by pulling its
[1:19:01] masking back along the shared property
[1:19:03] line. The revised proposal provides
[1:19:05] greater physical relief, reduces visual
[1:19:07] bulk, and ensures a more sensitive
[1:19:09] contextual transition to the neighboring
[1:19:11] property. Thank you. I now turn over to
[1:19:13] my UD colleague, Scott Slarski, to go
[1:19:15] over the uh urban design context in more
[1:19:17] detail. Thank you.
[1:19:20] Thank you very much, Scott Slarski,
[1:19:22] architect and planner, urban design. Um,
[1:19:25] so, uh, while this project is much
[1:19:28] larger than the existing building that
[1:19:29] was there in the context, it satisfies,
[1:19:32] uh, it satisfies the zoning and we
[1:19:33] worked very hard to take the transformer
[1:19:36] and put it in an underground vault, um,
[1:19:39] and create a garden at the rear. Next
[1:19:42] slide, please.
[1:19:45] though. Uh you can see from the plan
[1:19:48] diagram that's here that it satisfies
[1:19:50] the modal setback along the street um
[1:19:53] and creates uh porches, exterior spaces
[1:19:56] uh at the front and the top volume uh
[1:19:59] steps back.
[1:20:04] Next slide, please.
[1:20:07] That's the conclusion I guess.
[1:20:10] [laughter]
[1:20:13] Okay. Um yeah, just to close out, uh I
[1:20:16] just want to know that this project has
[1:20:17] been responsive to both neighborhood and
[1:20:19] planning staff feedback throughout the
[1:20:21] review process resulting in resision
[1:20:23] revisions to the ground floor design,
[1:20:25] the open space configuration, and the
[1:20:27] massing and facade. This concludes our
[1:20:30] presentation for this item and uh myself
[1:20:32] and the development team are available
[1:20:33] for any questions. Thank you.
[1:20:35] Okay, thank you. Any questions or
[1:20:37] comments from the board?
[1:20:38] Uh first a comment which is uh brevity
[1:20:40] is always rewarded so appreciate that.
[1:20:42] Uh, a couple questions. One, what's the
[1:20:44] breakdown of the four IS units?
[1:20:56] I don't have the four.
[1:20:59] Four. No. No. But are they
[1:21:01] are they one bedroom?
[1:21:02] There's studios, one bedroom, two
[1:21:03] bedroom,
[1:21:04] one studio, two one studio, two
[1:21:06] onebedrooms, two compact one bedrooms,
[1:21:08] and two and one compact twobedroom.
[1:21:10] Those are the four. Okay, that's that
[1:21:12] sounds good. What's a comp what's the
[1:21:13] difference between a compact onebedroom
[1:21:15] and a regular one bedroom?
[1:21:16] I don't know.
[1:21:17] Are they all compact? They're all
[1:21:19] compact, right?
[1:21:20] You don't want to know the
[1:21:21] Sorry, it just says compact. So, I don't
[1:21:23] know if that's like
[1:21:24] some some of the units here, George
[1:21:26] Morans, I'm sorry. I'm the zoning
[1:21:27] attorney for the developers.
[1:21:29] Um,
[1:21:31] and I'll actually comment a little bit
[1:21:33] on the number of dwelling units in
[1:21:35] relationship to the size of the site.
[1:21:37] Okay. uh because that has been something
[1:21:39] that was noticed by the community, 20
[1:21:41] units on a site like this. Tyler did
[1:21:43] touch upon that. Scott touched upon that
[1:21:45] a lot of the units here are many of the
[1:21:48] units here are smaller units. This is a
[1:21:50] condominium project for sale. So, it's
[1:21:52] not a rental project. So, the notion
[1:21:54] behind or the or the motivation uh
[1:21:57] behind the development concept here is
[1:21:59] to provide some natural affordability by
[1:22:01] doing smaller units.
[1:22:03] So, there are larger, you know, more
[1:22:06] traditionally sized units. There are
[1:22:07] small units in the range of like 470
[1:22:10] square ft. Um I will admit that I
[1:22:13] sometimes get confused when architects
[1:22:15] put a plus sign uh after a unit
[1:22:18] designation what that actually means. Um
[1:22:20] but the units are all uh basically metro
[1:22:24] size units for studio ones twos. Uh
[1:22:27] sometimes there's a little extra space
[1:22:28] and that results in a plus being put
[1:22:30] after it. I don't necessarily subscribe
[1:22:32] to the theory of doing that, but the
[1:22:34] fact is here there are smaller units,
[1:22:36] but we are meeting the 17% affordability
[1:22:39] requirement under
[1:22:43] alluded to said earlier and alluded to
[1:22:45] in a in a public meeting, [snorts] even
[1:22:47] aside from the units which are um
[1:22:50] formally speaking affordable, there's
[1:22:52] some natural affordability here in terms
[1:22:54] of providing smaller units for sale and
[1:22:57] those are available to people who
[1:22:58] actually want to move into this great
[1:23:00] neighborhood. or people who live there
[1:23:02] now in rent and can probably get a
[1:23:04] competitive mortgage for not much more
[1:23:06] than they're paying for rent. They could
[1:23:08] actually build equity and eventually
[1:23:10] move on to some other u you know some
[1:23:12] other unit or or single family home.
[1:23:14] Yeah.
[1:23:15] And I I'm George, let me be clear. I I
[1:23:17] am a full proponent of of you know a
[1:23:20] good mix and smaller units make sense
[1:23:21] for the very reason you said
[1:23:23] particularly for firsttime uh homeowners
[1:23:25] that are looking to build that sort of
[1:23:26] generational wealth. Um, and it sounds
[1:23:29] pretty good if if at least the matrix of
[1:23:33] the four units is seems to be one of
[1:23:36] each. Um, so I I applaud that. Sometimes
[1:23:38] it can all be studios or or one
[1:23:40] bedrooms. The second question is um I
[1:23:43] didn't see the column on sustainability
[1:23:45] that we typically see with these
[1:23:46] presentations. So did you want to talk a
[1:23:48] little bit about because I'd imagine
[1:23:49] there still has to it's a smaller
[1:23:51] project that still has to adhere to the
[1:23:53] on article 37.
[1:23:54] Yeah. on that I will yield uh either to
[1:23:57] our project architect who I think is
[1:23:59] connected via Zoom or if the pro the
[1:24:03] planning department team has more
[1:24:04] information on that.
[1:24:05] I know that it complies with article 37
[1:24:09] but I don't have the details.
[1:24:10] Okay.
[1:24:13] Is his name Eric?
[1:24:15] Yes.
[1:24:16] Okay.
[1:24:19] Anyone want to take a stab?
[1:24:21] Thank you. Um [clears throat] they were
[1:24:23] just and this is Eric Zacherson,
[1:24:24] architect for the project. They were
[1:24:26] just raising me to be a panelist. Um
[1:24:28] yes, we fully comply with article 37 and
[1:24:32] um it that it is part of the reason this
[1:24:35] project has taken a little bit longer
[1:24:37] than it might otherwise be uh have
[1:24:39] taken. Uh I was trying to get actually
[1:24:42] get my attent get attention earlier. The
[1:24:45] reason that these were referred to as
[1:24:47] compact living is this project actually
[1:24:49] started right at the tail end of the
[1:24:51] compact living pilot.
[1:24:53] Yeah.
[1:24:53] So all of all of the units in the
[1:24:55] building would have been considered
[1:24:56] compact.
[1:24:57] All of the units are compact. All the
[1:24:59] other units would be compact although
[1:25:01] that definition kind of phased out in
[1:25:03] 2023.
[1:25:04] Yeah.
[1:25:05] Got it.
[1:25:07] Okay. And do you want to speak a little
[1:25:08] bit about some of the the is it
[1:25:11] electric? Is there any PV on the roof?
[1:25:13] is there.
[1:25:14] So, it would be an all it will be an all
[1:25:16] electric building. Um, we are going to
[1:25:20] struggle to to meet the requirements of
[1:25:22] article 37, but we've done all the
[1:25:24] modeling and we've we've um proven that
[1:25:26] it's it's possible. There's uh there's
[1:25:29] not a system beyond that that is being
[1:25:32] planned beyond uh meeting the kind of
[1:25:35] stringent requirements for article 37.
[1:25:39] And member Mali, if I can uh clarify,
[1:25:42] this project was also submitted before
[1:25:44] the change to article 37 uh took place
[1:25:47] earlier this year. So this project is
[1:25:49] exempt from the new article 37. It does
[1:25:51] have to comply with the previous version
[1:25:53] of article 37.
[1:25:54] Is it also exempt from the stretch
[1:25:55] energy code?
[1:25:56] No, this needs to comply with that.
[1:25:58] This needs to comply with that. Okay.
[1:26:00] Okay. Thank you.
[1:26:02] Okay. Thank you. Additional questions or
[1:26:04] comments or did you want to say
[1:26:05] something?
[1:26:05] Uh I'm sorry for the interruption. Chair
[1:26:07] Roas, Ted Schwarzburg, assistant deputy
[1:26:10] director for planning review. I just
[1:26:11] wanted to clarify an earlier staff
[1:26:13] comment about uh zoning dimensions. Uh I
[1:26:16] wanted to clarify for the record that
[1:26:17] this will acquire require zoning relief
[1:26:20] for dimension and use. Uh that was on
[1:26:22] one of the earlier slides and I'd be
[1:26:24] happy to elaborate on why staff thinks
[1:26:25] that uh zoning relief is appropriate,
[1:26:28] but just wanted to clarify that. Do
[1:26:29] you want to just give us the like
[1:26:31] three sentence?
[1:26:32] Sure. If if you don't mind hopping back
[1:26:34] third slide. uh [laughter] the the
[1:26:36] zoning envelope uh would uh would give
[1:26:40] us this one. So in pink uh that's um the
[1:26:44] what what zoning allows and uh coming
[1:26:47] out of the community process there was a
[1:26:49] real desire to remove the building from
[1:26:51] the side uh of the neighboring building
[1:26:54] and it's an unusually deep parcel. So,
[1:26:56] uh, they worked with staff to create the
[1:26:58] yellow massing, uh, that will require a
[1:27:00] lot of zoning relief, but takes
[1:27:02] advantage of the depth of this parcel,
[1:27:04] uh, without encroaching as much on the
[1:27:06] neighbors.
[1:27:08] Yeah, know that's really helpful. I This
[1:27:11] was a good slide to kind of just put it
[1:27:13] all into perspective, um, of what it's
[1:27:15] replacing. But I think the design is
[1:27:18] being um uh you know is well informed by
[1:27:22] the rest of the you know houses on that
[1:27:24] street and kind of um
[1:27:28] uh yeah no I think it's a good use of
[1:27:29] that space. So anyway uh if there are no
[1:27:32] other further questions or comments
[1:27:34] motion is in order.
[1:27:35] So moved.
[1:27:36] Second.
[1:27:37] All those in favor?
[1:27:38] I I
[1:27:39] opposed. Uh the eyes have it. Motion
[1:27:42] passes. Thanks Tyler.
[1:27:45] Item number 13, request authorization to
[1:27:47] wait further review of the Boston
[1:27:48] University Charles River campus
[1:27:50] institutional master plan notification
[1:27:52] form for the renewal and extension of
[1:27:55] the institutional master plan for a
[1:27:57] period of 5 years until 2031 and to
[1:28:00] approve the renewal of the Boston
[1:28:02] University Charles River campus
[1:28:04] institutional master plan pursuant to
[1:28:06] section 80D-5.2E, 2E section 80D-6 and
[1:28:10] section 80D-8
[1:28:12] of the zoning code and to take all
[1:28:14] related actions. Tyler.
[1:28:16] Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the
[1:28:17] board, Director Shen, and Secretary
[1:28:19] Pyus. I'm Tyler Ross, senior project
[1:28:21] manager in the development review. This
[1:28:23] proposal before you is the Boston
[1:28:25] University institutional master plan for
[1:28:27] renewal and extension with no changes
[1:28:29] for the term of 5 years. This is a
[1:28:31] renewal of the existing institutional
[1:28:32] [clears throat] master plan that was
[1:28:33] board approved in September of 2024,
[1:28:36] which was amended in 2025 for the
[1:28:39] addition of the 13 Buzzwell property. At
[1:28:41] this time, Boston University does not
[1:28:43] anticipate any new institutional
[1:28:45] projects for the term of the renewed
[1:28:47] institutional master plan. The requested
[1:28:50] 5-year renewal is intended to allow for
[1:28:52] sufficient time to finalize the next
[1:28:54] Boston University campus framework that
[1:28:56] will inform a new comprehensive
[1:28:58] institutional master plan in the future.
[1:29:00] The review process on this institutional
[1:29:02] master plan renewal began on July 21st
[1:29:04] and concluded on August 21st.
[1:29:07] One task force and public meeting was
[1:29:09] held on August 5th, 2026. The meeting
[1:29:11] was well attended and received support.
[1:29:13] This concludes the presentation. Thank
[1:29:15] you.
[1:29:16] Okay. Thank you. Any questions or
[1:29:17] comments from the board? Hearing and
[1:29:19] seeing none, a motion is in order.
[1:29:21] So moved.
[1:29:21] Second.
[1:29:22] All those in favor? I
[1:29:23] I
[1:29:24] opposed. Uh the eyes have it. Motion
[1:29:26] passes. Item number 14, contractual
[1:29:29] payments. I need a motion to pay our
[1:29:32] bills.
[1:29:32] Like to make a motion to pay the bills.
[1:29:34] I second that motion.
[1:29:36] Right. All those in favor?
[1:29:38] I
[1:29:39] opposed. The eyes have it. Motion
[1:29:40] passes. Please pay the bills. And
[1:29:43] finally, uh item number 15, Director um
[1:29:47] Shen, Chief Shen, the floor is yours.
[1:29:50] Um good evening, uh members of the
[1:29:52] board. I want to start my report with
[1:29:54] just a quick summary of the projects
[1:29:57] approved at this board meeting. Um there
[1:29:59] were two new projects that were approved
[1:30:02] uh delivering 82 units of housing of
[1:30:06] which 11 will be income restricted. Um
[1:30:09] there these two projects will total
[1:30:12] 49,000 square foot of new development
[1:30:15] that will uh represent approximately $19
[1:30:18] million of new investment. Uh this
[1:30:21] investment will create 46 direct
[1:30:23] construction jobs and 23 indirect uh
[1:30:27] jobs. Um there was also one certificate
[1:30:30] of completion
[1:30:31] um that um that is for the Benjamin
[1:30:34] Franklin Cummings Institute of
[1:30:36] Technology in Nubian Square. Um, this
[1:30:39] new technical educational building
[1:30:41] houses seven academic departments
[1:30:44] including programs like construction
[1:30:46] management, HVAC,
[1:30:49] automotive technology, and mechanical
[1:30:51] engineering. The building contains 20
[1:30:54] indoor technical education labs, eight
[1:30:57] shared general classrooms, 13 conference
[1:31:00] rooms, uh, a central student lounge,
[1:31:03] student study spaces, administration,
[1:31:06] and other offices. uh and support office
[1:31:09] support spaces. Beyond the exceptional
[1:31:12] programming and opportunity for students
[1:31:14] um this building provides through its
[1:31:16] facility. This certificate of completion
[1:31:20] um also means that uh real tangible
[1:31:23] tangible out um benefits uh have also
[1:31:27] been delivered. Um there are two uh uh
[1:31:31] tranches of uh monetary contributions.
[1:31:35] There was $600,000
[1:31:37] worth of improvements in the sidewalks,
[1:31:40] crosswalks, and streetscape enhancements
[1:31:42] to make the area around the building as
[1:31:45] well as the square more pedestrian
[1:31:47] friendly. There was also another
[1:31:49] $650,000
[1:31:51] uh of um uh investment into the
[1:31:54] environmental cleanup of the site. Um
[1:31:57] there the the building also um houses
[1:32:02] many or has been delivering many
[1:32:04] community events including open houses
[1:32:07] uh for prospective students, technical
[1:32:10] fairs and community exploration
[1:32:12] workshops
[1:32:14] uh in partnership with the Roxbury um uh
[1:32:17] Boston Public Library branch. All of
[1:32:20] these events and programming of course
[1:32:22] contribute to the activation of Nubian
[1:32:25] Square. Um the board also heard um uh
[1:32:29] two other um uh programs this this
[1:32:34] evening. The first was the uh anti-
[1:32:37] displacement progress report. Um, that
[1:32:40] was a very comprehensive presentation
[1:32:42] that you got tonight that shows the
[1:32:45] progress we've made in one year since
[1:32:47] the launch of this a place to thrive
[1:32:49] anti-displacement action plan. Um, this
[1:32:52] board originally adopted the two-year
[1:32:54] framework last July and included more
[1:32:58] than 40 targeted uh policies, programs,
[1:33:01] and resources that the city departments
[1:33:04] uh would commit to addressing
[1:33:07] residential and small business as well
[1:33:10] as cultural displacement. This
[1:33:12] framework, I think as you saw tonight,
[1:33:15] includes 53 initiatives that um that
[1:33:20] that are um that are organized under the
[1:33:23] four PE tenants um protect, preserve,
[1:33:27] produce, and prosper. And you saw that
[1:33:30] uh more than 70% or 63 of these um or 36
[1:33:36] of the 53 initiatives in fact are
[1:33:38] advancing. Um, of the of these
[1:33:41] initiatives that are advancing, 15 of
[1:33:44] them are actually directly under the
[1:33:46] oversight of this department, the
[1:33:47] planning department. Um, I want to thank
[1:33:50] Katherine Lus and her team for her
[1:33:53] dedication to this plan. And as you've
[1:33:56] many of you already noted that the
[1:33:58] planning advisory council uh often takes
[1:34:01] on the difficult task of doing some of
[1:34:04] these projects that actually require a
[1:34:06] great deal of inter interdep
[1:34:07] departmental coordination. Um and I I'm
[1:34:11] sure this team will look forward to
[1:34:12] reporting uh to you again the the
[1:34:15] progress that we will make in this
[1:34:17] coming year. Um, the other exciting item
[1:34:20] that you heard about was uh the funding
[1:34:23] or the the the department and the EDIC
[1:34:28] serving as the funding agent for the
[1:34:31] link bus service in the five
[1:34:33] neighborhoods across the city. Um, your
[1:34:36] vote to accept the contract uh for
[1:34:38] administering this money through EDIC
[1:34:41] will allow the city and its partners to
[1:34:43] move forward with con uh contracting
[1:34:46] with community engagement service uh um
[1:34:50] partners, planning and launching um
[1:34:53] these routes in the near future. This
[1:34:55] free service will expand neighborhood
[1:34:58] transportation options and strengthen uh
[1:35:00] connections to the MBTA lines as well as
[1:35:05] connecting residents to jobs and schools
[1:35:08] um as well as healthcare um local
[1:35:11] businesses and other essential
[1:35:13] destinations that are that are not easy
[1:35:15] to get to for some of these residents
[1:35:17] that aren't well served by transit. This
[1:35:20] new and expanded service will operate in
[1:35:22] the five neighborhoods that you heard
[1:35:24] about in Madapan, Roxbury, Alustin,
[1:35:27] Brighton, Charles Town, and Lower Mystic
[1:35:29] as well as the South Boston waterfront.
[1:35:32] Um, we are of course happy that Matt and
[1:35:35] his team from Streets um have been
[1:35:37] collaborated so well with our team. Um,
[1:35:40] I want to end tonight just by u
[1:35:44] referring to something that you've heard
[1:35:45] in the press recently. Um uh of course
[1:35:50] the the Globe reported this week as well
[1:35:52] as you heard yesterday the mayor at the
[1:35:55] Chamber of Commerce speech um highlight
[1:35:58] the fact that the the city and this
[1:36:01] department has already started um um um
[1:36:05] working with four um previously approved
[1:36:10] projects for some tax relief in order to
[1:36:13] get them into construction in this next
[1:36:16] year. Um, we officially advertised and
[1:36:20] opened the 30-day comment period for
[1:36:22] these four projects. Um, and it's our
[1:36:24] intention to bring uh these projects to
[1:36:27] the board next month for your
[1:36:29] consideration and approval to enter into
[1:36:32] a 12 into 121B agreements uh that would
[1:36:37] um formalize uh the ability for these
[1:36:41] projects to negotiate uh for us to
[1:36:43] negotiate these uh tax agreements with
[1:36:46] these proponents. Um the mayor has made
[1:36:49] it very clear that she is intent on
[1:36:51] using every tool that is available to uh
[1:36:54] us as a city to get these previously
[1:36:58] approved projects moving again. Uh and
[1:37:01] we will look forward to presenting the
[1:37:03] details to you next month um and
[1:37:06] hopefully get more people back to work.
[1:37:08] So with that um th this concludes my
[1:37:12] report to you. Thank you.
[1:37:13] Thank you. Um, awesome.
[1:37:17] Uh, with that I need a motion to adjurnn
[1:37:19] this meeting.
[1:37:19] Motion to adjurnn.
[1:37:21] Second.
[1:37:21] All those in favor?
[1:37:22] I
[1:37:24] opposed. The eyes have it. Motion
[1:37:25] passes. Thanks everyone. Um,
[1:37:28] great work and have a good month. We'll
[1:37:29] see you next month. [laughter]
[1:37:32] Same time, same place.
[1:37:35] Same vat channel.
[1:37:36] Happy early birthday.