The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) chose a New York firm as lead consultant for the first citywide master plan in a half-century.

HR&A was one of eight architectural and land-use firms that responded to the BRA’s request for proposals to oversee the $2.8-million, two-year process called Imagine Boston 2030. The study will look at future land-use patterns and development corridors, and how planning will affect transportation, climate resiliency, arts and culture, public health and inequality.

HR&A is partnering with a local firm, Boston-based Utile Inc. Architecture + Planning, which is a regular consultant to the BRA on planning studies. Described as “a design firm built like a think tank,” Utile is advising the BRA on development along the central waterfront, where major commercial and residential projects are proposed for the Harbor Garage property and the Hook Lobster site. It’s also updating the 15-year-old master plan for the Boston Marine Industrial Park.

The project team will be led by HR&A Senior Principal Jamie Torres Springer, with day-to-day oversight by HR&A Director Connie Chung. An MIT graduate, Chung oversaw the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority’s Lawn On D public programming plan. The project team also includes Utile Principal Matthew Littell and Utile Senior Urban Designer Meera Deean, who will lead community outreach.

Also at Thursday night’s meeting, BRA directors approved another $401.6 million in development including 413 new housing units.

• Boston-based Related Beal won approval to build a $220-million apartment complex and 220-room hotel at 131 Beverly St. in the Bulfinch Triangle near North Station. Related Beal will set aside 100-percent of the 239 apartments as affordable and workforce housing to income-eligible households. The developer is seeking low-income tax credits to offset development costs on the parcel, a vacant lot and surface parking leased from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. It’s also negotiating a tax agreement with the city under a program designed to redevelop blighted parcels. Rents are expected to average $2.50 per square foot, a Related Beal executive said at a recent community meeting.
• Developers won approval to build a $25-million, 76-unit residential complex at 3200 Washington St. in Jamaica Plain, replacing an auto repair shop and vacant industrial buildings. The 100,000-square-foot project will include 4,500 square feet of retail space. The project includes 18 affordable units, including six on a Montebello Road parcel. The project is led by Paul Iantosca, president of Arborview Realty, Dan Mangiacotti and Justin Iantosca through their companies, 3190 Washington Street LLC and the Exchange Authority LLC.
• Directors also approved a $50-million, 200-room AC Hotel South End on Albany Street next to the Ink Block luxury condo and apartment complex, and a $30-million, 57,000-square-foot expansion of the Artists for Humanity space in South Boston.