The Boston Redevelopment Authority last week gave final approval to the expansion of Boston University’s School of Law, and okayed six other projects.
The BRA said the approved projects will create 1,527 new jobs and invest $276 million in Boston.
The $172 million expansion of BU’s law school at 765 Commonwealth Ave. will create learning and study space and updated outdated facilities. The university’s plans call for rehabilitating the existing law school exterior and renovating its 150,000-square-foot exterior. The proposal also calls for an approximately 95,000-square-foot addition on the west side of the law school above the existing one-story central boiler plant building.
Project construction is slated to begin this winter, with completion expected for fall 2015.
Other projects approved were:
•· $1.8 million in financing for 145 affordable housing units in the Chinatown neighborhood. The $120 million project planned for a parcel bounded by Kneeland, Hudson and Albany Streets is being developed by New Boston Fund in partnership with the Asian Community Development Corp. The two-phase project will create 362 new units of housing, including the approximately 145 affordable rental units, and 200 market rate rental units. Other funding for the development includes $6.5 million in state subsidies, $2 million in federal low income housing tax credits, $1 million in state low income housing tax credits and $3.5 million in City of Boston HOME funds.
•· A 140- to 175-room hotel with 75 parking spaces next to the future New Balance headquarters in Allston/Brighton. Last month, the BRA board unanimously approved office space, a sports complex, a commuter rail station, retail, restaurants and open space as part of the New Brighton Landing project. The total cost of the company’s New Brighton Landing project is estimated at $500 million.
•· The rehabilitation of two buildings in the North End to serve as the home of the North Bennet Street School, a 125-year-old crafts school. Plans for the $16 million project call for the rehab of 61,000 square feet at 130-140 Richmond St. and 152 North St., and the addition of a two-story, 4,000 square foot link to an existing low-rise facility at 150 North St.
•· A six-story residential building with 30 rental units, 18 parking spaces, and a green roof for 1085 Boylston St. The project cost is estimated at $5.5 million. The BRA Board approval is contingent upon design review approval.
•· Olmsted Place, a $75 million project at 161 South Huntington Ave. that replaces the former location of the Home for Little Wanderers. The 253,000-square -foot building will have a four-story and five-story component with a unit mix of studios, one, two, and three bedrooms, including 30 affordable units. The project includes 156 parking spaces.
•· New housing for the vacant Gate of Heaven gymnasium building at 616 East Fourth St. in South Boston. The existing Gate of Heaven gymnasium will be converted into a four-story residential building with 24 rentals, including three affordable units. The $6 million project includes 21 parking spaces located in a garage below the building. Construction is anticipated to begin in January, with completed targeted for March 2014.
