The graduate student and faculty housing project involves a 110,400-sf building that will consist of 220 studio and one-bedroom units. The building will be situated on a 20,200-sf site at 580 Commonwealth Ave. The city anticipates that the project will address the shortage of housing options for graduate students and faculty in Boston. The city says that the project also advances its goal of providing additional housing specifically in the Kenmore Square and Allston neighborhoods.

A BU spokesman tells GlobeSt.com that all projects are still subject to the city's zoning board of appeals. But in the BRA's approval, it says it will petition the city's zoning commission for approval of the master plan. This plan is the university's third since 1986 and will be up for renewal in 2010. The spokesman notes that the plan is based essentially on a seven-year outline of the university's development projects and includes a listing of all its real estate assets that might have development potential.

He also relates that there are five BU parcels, all identified in this plan, that have potential for development over the Massachusetts Turnpike extension. The development of those parcels, still just in the discussion stage, would involve leasing air rights.

Other short-term goals outlined in the master plan involve developing additional student housing at the former Commonwealth Armory site. A 63,000-seat arena and recreation center are in the process of being developed on that site for the university.