Boston PIC Approves Six Street Actions to Advance Mariela McCormick Housing Rebuild

BOSTON -- October 24, 2024, Boston's Public Improvement Commission unanimously approved six street petitions unlocking the first phase of the Mariela McCormick public housing redevelopment in South Boston. Chair Franklin Hodge and commissioners cleared discontinuances, right-of-way realignments, a new public way called Veterans Way, pedestrian easements, and specific repairs filed jointly by MEM Building A LLC and the Boston Housing Authority, paving the way for 94 deeply affordable replacement housing units in the first of 17 planned buildings. Civil engineer Sari Ebaugh of BHB presented revised plans for General William H. Devine Way that added a fully raised intersection at Mohawk and Veterans Way and shifted a crosswalk east of Carpenter Street to avoid a non-compliant apex ramp. Separately, Boston University presented streetscape plans for Warren Towers at 700 Commonwealth Avenue, including a relocated bus stop and raised crossings, and a Dorchester developer proposed a 41-unit all-affordable building at 1471 Blue Hill Avenue; both projects were advanced to public hearing November 7, with commissioners flagging unresolved questions about shuttle access, bike lane safety, and accessible paving materials.