Boston PIC Approves Nine Petitions Spanning Five Neighborhoods at August Hearing

BOSTON — August 10, 2023 — Boston's Public Improvement Commission unanimously approved nine petitions at its August 10 hearing, clearing the way for street improvements tied to a major Chinatown development and several utility projects across the city. The most significant action advanced the Asian Community Development Corporation's 55 Hudson Street project in Chinatown, where executive director Angie Liu described a planned 12-story building that will include a new Boston Public Library branch — the first Chinatown library in roughly 50 years — along with 110 affordable residential units split between 44 homeownership units and 66 rentals. The commission approved pedestrian easements on Hudson Street (approximately 2.5 feet by 151 feet) and Tyler Street (approximately 0.8 feet by 200 feet), as well as a full street improvement package for both. In Dorchester, Verizon New England agreed to a full curb-to-curb resurfacing of Mount Ida Road after commission staff cited years of repeated utility cuts leaving the road "in very poor condition." Three additional Verizon conduit proposals — on Charles Street, South Sydney Street, and D Street at 135 Old Colony Avenue — were introduced as new business and scheduled for public hearing on August 24.