BPDA Board Approves Major South End Projects

The Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) Board approved two major projects in the South End at its meeting on Thursday, March 2.

The BPDA board approved the Harrison Albany Block to revitalize vacant South End buildings to yield cultural, office space and housing.

This will create 65 affordable units and a $13 million payment to the Inclusionary Development Policy Fund.

The project site is currently made up of five buildings, four of which are vacant, one is currently a surface parking lot. The developer is Leggat McCall.

The proposed design is based on four main buildings that each will have a mix use. Two of the buildings will include a total of 600 residential rental units with the potential for a portion of these units to be used as artist live/work units. These buildings will also include 8,600 square feet of ground floor retail and affordable cultural space with a two-level parking garage constructed underneath.

The other two existing buildings will be renovated to create new office, medical, and retail space, along with 50 residential rental units.

The project will also yield $500,000 for short and long-term transportation infrastructure improvements for the South End neighborhood.

The BPDA board also approved the project for 370-380 Harrison Avenue that sits on the former Quinzani’s Bakery site and the former Ho Kong Bean Sprout Co. site and is brought by Related Beal. The project will include the construction of a 356,500 square foot, 14-story mixed use building facing Harrison Avenue and extending between Traveler and East Berkeley Street.

It will have 251 market rate units, 63 affordable units and 425 square feet designated as Affordable Cultural Space. It will have 180 off-street parking spaces in a below-grade parking garage.

Through collaboration with the Boston Transportation Department (BTD), BPDA staff has established that this project will provide $400,000 for transportation infrastructure improvements planned for the South End neighborhood.

In addition, $250,000 will go towards public benefits that will be established through the BPDA.

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