BPDA Board Approves Five Projects, Adopts Roslindale Squares and Streets Plan

BOSTON -- February 13, 2025, BPDA board adopts Roslindale Squares and Streets Plan and approves five development projects at annual meeting. The Boston Planning and Development Agency Board of Directors unanimously adopted the Roslindale Squares and Streets Small Area Plan at its February 13 annual meeting, the first standalone plan approved under the citywide initiative Mayor Wu launched in January 2024; draft zoning is scheduled for release February 14 and a 45-day public comment period. Board Chair Priscilla Rojas, Vice Chair Raheem Shepard, and Treasurer Kate Bennett were elected at both the EDIC and BRA annual sessions. The five approved development projects total approximately $118 million in development cost and more than 200 residential units, of which 91 are income-restricted; they include 63 fully affordable units at 639 Warren Street in Roxbury by Madison Park Development Corporation on a parcel vacant for over 50 years, and the conversion of 4 Liberty Square downtown into 36 apartments under the city's office-to-residential pilot, bringing that program to six of 15 applicants approved. The board also authorized disbursement of $140,000 to 22 Dorchester community organizations from the South Bay Project's community benefits fund, and Director Shen closed by noting the passing of 29-year BPDA colleague Bill Nickerson.