Boston Zoning Board Revives Alexandra Hotel Plan, Approves Cannabis Dispensary and Liquor Store

BOSTON — September 24, 2024 — Boston's Zoning Board of Appeal approved more than 20 cases at its September 24 remote hearing, including a unanimous vote to restore the long-delayed Alexandra Hotel project at 1767 Washington Street — the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Washington Street — back to its original 2019 hotel use after a pandemic-era pivot to residential fell through due to financing. The board also approved, over strong community opposition, a boutique liquor and provisions store at 2193 Commonwealth Avenue in Brighton near Boston College, where Boston Police District 14 Captain Wayne Lanchester and Boston College Vice President of Government Relations Tom Keating both testified that the area's underage drinking problem would worsen; attorney Joe Hanley countered that the 900-square-foot store would ban nips, kegs, and third-party deliveries. The board voted unanimously to approve a cannabis dispensary for social equity applicant Amber Gardens at 297 Newberry Street in the Back Bay, despite opposition from Councilor Sharon Durkin, State Representative Jay Livingstone, and a competing dispensary operator — the site sits 364 feet from another open dispensary on the same street. The board denied without prejudice a proposal by Charlestown market owner Angel Acosta to add three residential stories to his corner building at 156-164 Bunker Hill Street, where two public meetings drew roughly 30 attendees each, all in opposition.