Mayor Wu Recommends CPA Funding for Several Back Bay, South End and Kenmore-Fenway Projects

Last week, Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston Community Preservation Committee (CPC) announced their recommendation for the latest Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding round that includes funding for several Back Bay, South and Kenmore-Fenway projects.

With 52 projects totaling $27 million recommended for funding this round, Wu recommended the area receive nearly $1 million for historic preservation projects in the neighborhoods.

“The Community Preservation Act helps us invest in our communities by empowering residents and local organizations to put funding to important priorities across our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Wu. “I am grateful to the Community Preservation Committee and all of the applicants for their commitment to expanding affordable housing, historic preservation and open space and recreation to benefit Bostonians across our city.”

If approved by the City Council, the Back Bay, South and Kenmore-Fenway projects to be funded through CPA money will be Boston Architectural College, Community Church Boston, Huntington Theatre and the South End Historical Society-Francis Dane. All the projects fall under the category of CPA historic preservation funding.

First, Wu recommended $495,000 for masonry and window restoration of 951 Boylston St. the Boston Architectural College flagship building in the Back Bay.

Another $100,000 would go to the roof replacement of the five-story storefront building that is home to the Community Church.

Wu then recommended $100,000 for the Huntington Theatre to restore and repair character-defining elements of the 1924 theater entrance, including doors, balconies, balustrades and masonry.

Finally, the Mayor recorded $300,000 for the South End Historical Society-Francis Dane

to repair, and restore cast-iron ornament, brownstone masonry, and an oriel bay window at the 1858 South End Historical Society headquarters building.

“With appreciation to the CPA staff, the Boston CPC is pleased to recommend 52 projects to Mayor Wu for funding consideration by the City Council under the leadership of Michael Flaherty, Council Committee Chair,” said Felicia Jacques, Chair of Community Preservation Committee. “This recommendation fully commits over 50% of funds to housing with the remaining funds supporting 42 historic preservation and open space projects.  These projects address a variety of uses and a bounty of worthy community projects spanning the city in virtually every neighborhood.”

The CPA’s Community Preservation Fund was created following voters’ passage and adoption of the Community Preservation Act in November 2016. It is funded by a 1 percent property tax-based surcharge on residential and business property tax bills, which took effect in July 2017, and an annual state funding from the Massachusetts Community Preservation Trust Fund. The Mayor and Community Preservation Committee recommend funding use and the City Council must vote to approve.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.