A potential settlement of a civil rights complaint could clear the way for resumption this month of Boston officials’ review of the proposed 16.5 million-square-foot Suffolk Downs redevelopment.

Boston Planning & Development Agency directors on Thursday will review terms of an agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to improve outreach to non-English speaking households.

Lawyers for Civil Rights claimed in February that the BPDA failed to provide translation services for documents and meeting presentations related to plans by HYM Investment Group to redevelop the 161-acre former racetrack on the East Boston-Revere line.

The BPDA directors are scheduled to review an agreement with HUD confirming new measures to provide non-English speakers with information on Suffolk Downs and other developments under review. The provisions call for developers to create language access plans and community engagement provisions. In the past month, the BPDA held three public meetings on Suffolk Downs for Spanish and Arabic-speaking residents.

The terms also call for BPDA to create a language access plan for development reviews and planning initiatives, non-traditional community engagement approaches that reflect residents’ various schedules and approval of a written non-discrimination policy.

The BPDA also has scheduled a separate public hearing on the Suffolk Downs for 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 24, to be broadcast on Boston City TV and the city’s Boston.gov web page. Details on public participation will be posted on the BPDA online calendar today, spokeswoman Bonnie McGilpin said.

Potential Settlement Clears Way for Suffolk Downs Redevelopment

by Steve Adams time to read: 1 min
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