Affordable Rentals for Homeless Families Moves Forward in Dorchester

Brookview House, Inc. received approval by the BRA board to develop 16 units of permanent affordable rental housing for homeless families with supportive services. The Brookview House III development will create a new 21,971 square foot residential building, including 7,079 square feet of program and community space. The project consists of eight three-bedroom units and eight two-bedroom units, with community space located on the first floor and basement.

The project is located at the corner of Blue Hill Avenue and Fabyan Street in Dorchester. The development team consists of Deborah Hughes, Executive Director of Brookview House, Inc.; Michael Washington Architects as the project architect; Nixon Peabody as legal counsel; Design Development Consultants as the development consultant; and Crosswinds Enterprises as the general contractor.

Total project cost is $7 million. The City’s Department of Neighborhood Development is helping to finance the project through $1 million in Home Funds and $750,000 in Neighborhood Housing Trust Funds. The project will create 100 construction jobs.

1000 Washington Street Gets Approval for Renovations in Boston’s South End

The BRA board granted approval to Teraview Investments, LLC for the renovation of 1000 Washington Street, formerly known as the Teradyne Building, in the South End. This 100,000 square foot renovation will consist of interior renovations of office space, exercise room, storage and the cafeteria. The project shows progress in the revitalization and investment of this section of Washington Street. The developer intends to recondition the existing building and reposition it as a first class multi-tenanted building and has entered into a lease with the State Department of Capital Asset Management (DCAM) for various state agencies and approximately 500 workers to occupy 100,000 square feet. Based on commitments made to DCAM, it is expected that occupancy will occur in the first quarter of 2010.

The project is another significant step in the Mayors commitment to the revitalization of Harrison and Albany Streets, as referenced in his January 4, 2010 Inaugural Address. The project also conforms to the BRA’s current Harrison-Albany Corridor Strategic Plan.

Total project cost is $10 million. The development team consists of Nordic Properties, parent company of Teraview Investments LLC, as owners of the building; Rubin & Rudman LLP as legal counsel; John Moriarty & Associates as the renovation contractor; Symmes, Maine and McKee Associates as the renovation architect.

Boston University Medical Center Receives Approval for Additional Graduate Student Housing

The BRA board granted approval for an amendment to Boston University Medical Center’s Institutional Master Plan to include the creation of the Albany Street Fellows Graduate Housing Project. This project will replace a presently vacant structure and existing surface parking/storage uses, with a new residential building and substantial open space that will contribute to the urban design and character of the surrounding area. The project will provide up to 104 units for approximately 208 students who currently attend the School of Medicine and the School of Medical Sciences, but who live in private apartments in the City of Boston. Projects such as this build on Boston’s ability to continue to lead the nation in NIH funding by offering opportunities to those in the life sciences and biomedical fields.

Total project cost is $44 million. In addition to BUMC as the developer, the project team includes Beacon Architectural Associates as the project architect and Rubin & Rudman as legal counsel. The project will create 250 construction jobs.

Board Approves Funding of Green Triple Decker Project

The BRA, in a proposed partnership with the federal Energy Star program and local utilities NSTAR and National Grid, has developed a strategy to improve the energy efficiency of Boston’s triple-deckers which will result in lower energy costs for occupants, while tackling a potent municipal green house gas emission target. The Board has authorized the Agency to spend up to $45,000 for a Green Triple Decker Pilot Project. Investment in this program will help gain a better understanding of what is needed to make Boston’s triple-deckers more energy efficient. The project also includes an innovative historic preservation component in which an historic preservation expert will help inform energy efficiency strategies that balance energy performance and historic preservation opportunities. In addition to providing immediate and positive economic impacts to residents and reducing climate change causing green house gas emissions, the Green Triple Decker program will help inform future Recovery Act funded energy efficiency work in Boston’s substantial multi-family building stock.

This program will complement the City’s Renew Boston program, which received $6.5 million in Energy Efficiency Community Development Block Grant funds to launch a city wide energy efficiency effort focusing on the built environment. In order to participate in the program, the BRA, working with the utility companies and local non-profits will soon publish program eligibility criteria.

Press Contact: Jessica Shumaker, 617.918.4446.

Release Date: January 13, 2010