BPDA Approves Two Eastie Projects at October Meeting

Article from the Eastern Boston Times, written by John Lynds
The Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) approved two separate projects on Border Street at agency’s October meeting that will result in 34 units of housing and financial contributions to the East Boston Social Centers and East Boston Greenway as part of construction mitigation.

The first project by MG2 at 277 Border St. plans to eliminate an existing auto body to construct five story, mixed-use development with 18 units and parking for eight vehicles.

The project was supported recently by members of the Eagle Hill Civic Association (EHCA). EHCA members worked for months on the project’s design, scale and mitigation to local non-profit organizations.

The building will feature 18 condominium units, made up of 16 market-rate units and two affordable units under Boston’s Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP). In addition, the building will also have one ground floor commercial unit. There will be eight off-street garage parking spaces located at-grade level. Bicycle storage and a trash/recycling room will be located within the ground-level of the building. The 18 condominium units will consist of a mix of four studio units, 11 one-bedroom units, two two-bedroom units, and one three-bedroom unit.

MG2 has committed $10,000 contributions to both the East Boston Social Centers and the East Boston Greenway. The East Boston Social Centers contribution will be used to fund youth athletic and enrichment programs, while the East Boston Greenway contribution will be used to fund construction and improvements.

The building would be a modern design with large windows and a mix of metal and wood materials.

According to the BPDA, the project will create about 40 construction jobs.
The second project the BPDA approved was just down the street from the first at 425 Border St.

There the developer plans to replace an existing auto repair shop with a five story, 16 condo unit building with 16 off-street parking spaces. Two of the 16 units will be affordable IDP units.

All 16 units will be two bedroom units. The project is located five blocks from Central Square and less than one mile from the MBTA’s Blue Line Maverick Station, and is well served by multiple bus lines operating in Eastie.
Again the developer has committed $10,000 contributions to both the East Boston Social Centers and the East Boston Greenway.

The project includes a more modern design than what EHCA members are usually support. However, while the project is in the Eagle Hill Historic District the developer plans on making the building a blend of modern and more traditional since it borders historic homes at the transition between the historic district and more industrial area of Border Street.

This project, according to the BPDA, will create 50 construction jobs.