Boston's BPDA Board Approves Budget to Launch New City Planning Department July 1

BOSTON — May 16, 2024 — Boston's BPDA board voted unanimously Thursday to approve a combined $84.9 million operating budget and a set of memoranda that will transfer the majority of agency planning staff to a new City of Boston planning department beginning July 1. The board, chaired by Priscilla Rojas and joined by members Naomi Dennett, Dr. Theodore Landsmark, and Kirk Shepard, also approved $17.6 million in capital spending across both the BRA and EDIC, including $11.25 million for 12 Channel Street window replacements and drain-line repairs in the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park. Deputy Chief Devin Quirk told the board the transition is "cost neutral" and that city funds dedicated to planning cannot be redirected to other departments under the terms of the ordinance and memoranda of agreement. In a wide-ranging session, the board also approved three development projects adding 290 new residential units — 274 at 180 Western Avenue in Allston with 41 affordable units, and 16 assisted living units at 50 Sutherland Road in Brighton — as well as a commercial lab-office building at 232 A Street in Fort Point with 1.5 acres of new waterfront park to be conveyed to the city, representing a nearly $7 million resilience investment.