With dramatic changes possible under a new mayor, the rush is on for the Boston Redevelopment Authority to approve major developments, some of which could come as early as today.
The Boston Globe reports that the BRA plans to approve a 52-story residential tower at Copley Place, an 11-story office building in the South End, and a 283-unit apartment complex in Jamaica Plain.
A Harvard expansion in Allston, including academic buildings, athletic facilities, and “hundreds of residence,” could also be in the works.
With developers seizing on opportunities left and right, the Globe reports the focus is now on approving plans before Mayor Tom Menino leaves office. Both mayoral candidates, John Connolly and Marty Walsh, plan to “overhaul” the BRA, potentially delaying the review process.
One board meeting a month had been the standard for the BRA, but, with Nov. 5 looming, the pace has quickened. Reportedly, the BRA has held three board meetings in just the past four weeks.
If the projects on the docket for Thursday are approved, more than 850 additional residences will be slated for Boston.
Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group wants to bring a 52-story skyscraper to Copley Place that would house 433 apartments and 109 condominiums. The 542 proposed units is up from 318 condominiums previously approved in 2011 by the BRA, before the plan fell through.
State Representative Byron Rushing of Boston told the Globe he approves of the new design but would like state and city regulators to “push” the developer to make 25 percent of the units affordable. Currently, only 15 percent will be designated as such.
The property is owned by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.
The two other projects, The Commons in JP and 80 East Berkeley St. in the South End, were “fast-tracked” through the BRA’s review process.
The Commons project would bring 283 apartments to the neighborhood, and includes retail space and a public park.
The 80 East Berkeley St. project includes 300,000 square feet of office space. And the ground floor of the building would contain restaurants and stores.
Neighborhood opinions about the proposed building have been mixed, the Globe said.
Harvard is looking to add a new basketball facility, an addition to Harvard Stadium, academic buildings and a hotel and conference center at Western Ave. and North Harvard St., totaling 1.4 million square feet of new development.
Image from skyscrapercity.com
