Menino and Boston Redevelopment Authority approve $57.9 million in projects

Mayor Thomas Menino and the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) recently approved multiple new projects in the city: New Housing Approved in Charlestown * Total project cost: $5 million * Total s/f: 56,770 s/f * Housing Units: 30 total units, 4 affordable units The project, located at 30 Polk St., will feature a mix of units to house city families. The development will include 30 rental units, including 5 one-bedrooms, 22 two-bedrooms, and 3 three-bedroom units. The project will also include 4 affordable units and 34 parking spaces with one spot reserved for ZipCar. The development team includes developer Douglas MacDonald and architecture firm Neshamkin French Architects, Inc. Construction is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2014. Downtown Veterans Building will be Renovated Adding New Housing * Total project cost: $21 million * Total s/f: 130,000 s/f * Housing units: 35 new units of veteran housing * Jobs: 90 construction jobs * LEED: LEED silver certifiable The BRA Board unanimously approved a $21 million renovation of the N.E. Center for Homeless Veterans at 17 Court St. in downtown. The existing center includes two adjoining buildings, the 4-story Old Colony Trust Company and its 10-story addition. The project development team includes the Vietnam Veterans Workshop and architecture firm Tise Design Associates. The project is anticipated to break ground in the fall of 2014 and last 16 months. New Housing for Roxbury * Total project cost: $17.1 million * Total s/f: 35,208 s/f * Housing units: 42 units * Jobs: 100 construction jobs * LEED: LEED silver certifiable The Dudley Crossing project includes the rehabilitation of existing buildings at 375-385 Dudley St. and 200-210 Hampden St. to make them more consistent with modern day living facilities, and the construction of two new buildings at 387 Dudley St. and 200 Hampden St. The four buildings will add a total of 42 new affordable units of housing to the neighborhood and 3,296 s/fof commercial space.The project is being developed by Nuestra CDC with architect Narrow Gate. New Roxbury Location for the Elizabeth Stone House * Total project cost: $14.8 million * Total s/f: 48,598 s/f * Housing Units: 27 units * Jobs: 50 construction jobs * LEED: LEED silver certifiable The BRA Board unanimously approved the construction of a new location for the Elizabeth Stone House. A four-story mixed use building located at 3012 Washington St. in Roxbury will have 27 residences on the three upper floors and 13,000 s/f of ground floor area for meeting space, classrooms, staff offices, conference areas, and a childcare facility. The development team includes developer Elizabeth Stone House and architecture firm, The Narrow Gate Architecture LLC. The project is anticipated to break ground in March 2015 with an estimated March 2016 completion schedule.