City Looks to Spur Development in South Boston, Roxbury

BOSTON—The city announced on Monday that it intends to begin comprehensive planning studies later this month of two key transit-oriented corridors—the Jamaica Plain/Roxbury section and South Boston—to spur middle-income housing and other development opportunities there.

The Boston Redevelopment Authority reports it will work with community members and elected officials, as well as planning, design, and economic development professionals over the course of the next year to create detailed plans for the two corridors. The plans will include recommendations for updating zoning regulations in each area that are consistent with current redevelopment goals. Given their proximity to major public transit nodes, the Washington Street and Dorchester Avenue corridors are seen as prime locations to support new middle-income housing, which is a priority for Mayor Martin Walsh's administration, the BRA states. Community meetings are expected to begin later this month in both study areas.

“It's clear that developers have taken a serious interest in both of these areas, and we should use that as an opportunity to put together a comprehensive vision to guide development in the future,” says Mayor Walsh. “We have an undeniable need for more affordable housing in the City of Boston. We know these areas have the potential to accommodate new housing, but we want to work with residents to see what else we can do to strengthen their neighborhoods.”

“Transit-oriented developments are growing in popularity because they provide conveniences that aren't possible when one has to rely on a car to get around,” BRA Director Brian Golden says. “We'll use the Orange Line in Jamaica Plain and Roxbury and the Red Line in South Boston to our advantage as we study the untapped potential of these areas. Great things already exist in both places. The question now is, how can we all work together to preserve, enhance, and grow those unique assets?”

The Jamaica Plain and Roxbury corridor study will focus on an area that spans Washington Street and Columbus Avenue, running between the MBTA's Forest Hills and Jackson Square stations on the Orange Line. Amory Street will form the western boundary of the study area. The planning effort will determine the compatibility of different uses, including housing, commercial, light industrial, and open space, while also surveying the impacts of traffic on walkability and other mobility considerations, the BRA states.

The recent wave of mixed-use residential projects along Washington Street will be of particular focus. Projects along the corridor that are currently under review by the BRA include 3200 Washington St., 3371 Washington St, and Bartlett Square II. The BRA states that it will work with the local community to produce recommendations for updated zoning, public realm enhancements, traffic mitigation, and economic development opportunities.

The Dorchester Avenue study area encompasses a portion of South Boston's largest residential zoning district. The H-1-50 zone, which touches Andrew Square, will be analyzed in hopes of updating current zoning to allow for what the BRA states as “reasonable increases in density that would accommodate population growth.” Mayor Walsh has asked the BRA to work with the community so that any new zoning recommendations maintain the character of this residential district and place a renewed emphasis on architectural continuity.

In South Boston, the Dorchester Avenue corridor from Andrew Square to Broadway Station is undergoing a shift away from traditional manufacturing and industrial uses, and to residential and mixed-use development based on investment demand. The BRA is currently reviewing a proposal for 235 Old Colony Ave. by DJ Properties, LLC that would create several hundred apartments and retail stores on former industrial sites. The project calls for eight new buildings on six city blocks that would feature a total of 658,000 square feet of residential space 77,000 square feet of commercial/retail uses. The Dorchester Avenue corridor is situated between two major Red Line stations and bus hubs and is ripe for transit-oriented development, the BRA says.

Dorchester Avenue's underutilized light industrial buildings will be the primary focus. The study will look for possible zoning changes, strategies for improving access to retail and developing affordable housing to meet the needs of local families.

The BRA is soliciting nominations for two advisory groups to help guide the public process and provide a wide range of stakeholder input for each study area.