Boston Public Facilities Commission Approves Fire Department Lease, Eight Votes on Housing and Renovation

BOSTON — December 13, 2023 — Boston Public Facilities Commission approves Fire Department lease and eight housing and renovation votes in single session. The commission, with Commissioners Larry Mormoli and Donald Wright presiding alongside Legal Advisor Titi Lee, unanimously approved a five-year lease at 151 Rivermouth Street in West Roxbury for the Boston Fire Department's Special Operations Command, which has been without a centralized facility since Harvard University reclaimed its 85 Holton Street space in July. Deputy Commissioner Kevin Coyne said the 20,946-square-foot building — a former auto body shop with 84 parking spaces — was the only viable choice among four RFP respondents and that the department hopes to occupy it by January 1, 2024. The commission also cleared a $144,577 contract increase for the Mattahunt Community Center renovation in Mattapan and six Mayor's Office of Housing actions, including a 24-month tentative developer designation for Preservation of Affordable Housing Inc. and Cask Capital LLC to build 119 income-restricted units above a replacement West End Branch Library at 151 Cambridge Street, backed by a proposed $29 million city land cost subsidy contingent on a state home rule petition.