Roxbury Infill and Small Developments

[sm89]

In the past 100 or so years, architects have forgotten that people feel uncomfortable when the ground floor is at ground level. The first story should be elevated so that the eyeline of someone on the sidewalk is well below the eyeline of the first floor apartment inhabitants.

My condo is about 2ft above ground level, but when I sit on the couch, my head is still lower than people walking down the sidewalk. I HATE it. Shades always mostly closed (I have the bottom-up type)

 

[MAGGLIOORDONEZ]

My condo is about 2ft above ground level, but when I sit on the couch, my head is still lower than people walking down the sidewalk. I HATE it. Shades always mostly closed (I have the bottom-up type)

I always think that it should be 4-6 feet above street level. Then, a potential garden level unit would have their ground floor 4-6 feet below street level.

 

[curcuas]

Remember, this building was approved then had approvals yanked because the city tree warden complained. Totally bizarre story.

The developer, MPDC, has built great urban spaces when they get the opportunity (see the new Madison Park n'hood and Whittier Choice nearby).

 

[ritchiew]

In the past 100 or so years, architects have forgotten that people feel uncomfortable when the ground floor is at ground level. The first story should be elevated so that the eyeline of someone on the sidewalk is well below the eyeline of the first floor apartment inhabitants.

The other option is put in ground floor retail. This is right in Nubian square.

 

[stick n move]

-Building permit issued

27 Dixwell St.​

Roxbury, MA

“Upcoming project in Egleston Square to include 12 residential units with 12 parking spaces.”

https://www.bldup.com/projects/27-dixwell-street

-hehe “dixwell”

 

[mssrro]

5/25 - 5/26:

1 & 16 Taber Street (40 & 30 units respectively)














373 Northampton Street (aka 577-599 Columbus Avenue - 47 units)












387-397 Dudley Street (24 units)






69-71 Proctor Street (Roxbury Preparatory Charter School)

 

[Justbuildit]

The city should do whatever it takes to streamline developments like this. The developer claims in the filing that they'll need zoning relief for FAR, height, setbacks, and parking, which is insane for a 36 unit 4-story development on top of a desolate surface parking lot. Hopefully there are no holdups. Only wish they could've had access to the adjacent vacant lots to the west.

View attachment 41806

Following up on the Blue Hills proposed development, shown in the shot above. It's turning a bunch of immiserated surface lots into 36 units of housing with some parking and the neighbors are PISSED. I'm not going to share the public comments from the private citizens, but nearly every public comment is in opposition (many are a copy/paste of a few key sentences) and there's a signed letter from Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson expressing her opposition as well. The letter from the Councilor is pasted below.

It seems there wasn't enough community input before planning and there's the usual griping about new luxury units making the neighborhood more expensive. Economics aside, it seems way out of scale for a Councilor to sign a letter opposing a specific development removing some surface lots and what looks like a rotted out old one-story church (below). Any Roxburians with some thoughts? I don't quite get the dynamics in that part of the city.

 

[Suffolk 83]

View attachment 50920

Traffic suggestion? They meant traffic congestion right? lmao

 

[Justbuildit]

It...wasn't the best writing from the Councilor. A few comments also seem at odds with the truth. Just from the BPDA page I see two public meetings in the last 9 months and it seems like all of the filings are complete. I'm going to keep beating this horse until it's mush, but since the zoning laws are so restrictive, this required variances for FAR and height (exceeded zoning) and setbacks and parking (less than the zoned minimum). If this very medium sized development were to squeak into compliance (or of course if the city were lightly upzoned) no one would have a hope of blocking badly needed new units. Shame.

 

[HenryAlan]

Traffic suggestion? They meant traffic congestion right? lmao

Yeah, I'm surprised nobody on her staff caught that before it went out with her signature. Proofreading aside, I'm always suspicious of complaints that mostly emphasize a perceived lack of process or opportunity for public input. All of these projects are heavily vetted through a public process. It's a lie to claim it wasn't.

 

[Suffolk 83]

It...wasn't the best writing from the Councilor. A few comments also seem at odds with the truth. Just from the BPDA page I see two public meetings in the last 9 months and it seems like all of the filings are complete. I'm going to keep beating this horse until it's mush, but since the zoning laws are so restrictive, this required variances for FAR and height (exceeded zoning) and setbacks and parking (less than the zoned minimum). If this very medium sized development were to squeak into compliance (or of course if the city were lightly upzoned) no one would have a hope of blocking badly needed new units. Shame.

I applaud your restraint and ability to remain neutral; I choose otherwise, this woman is a grifter and stain on the City of Boston and the local democratic party. I say this as a registered democrat that voted for Wu amongst others. She's uncouth and a criminal that should have been kicked off the city council already. This is almost certainly an attempt to get paid to allow this project to go forward.

I'm not sure of the path forward for these areas of the city, how does it balance adding badly needed housing units to neglected lots while not allowing gentrification to push out its citizens? I dont have the answers but I know this woman shouldnt be anywhere near these heavy decisions

 

[curcuas]

TFA has a history of unhinged comments and outbursts. The typos here are the type of things she would put on twitter in the past.

 

[stick n move]

Construction Wraps up For Roxbury Multifamily​

“Construction is nearly complete for 16 Taber Street in Nubian Square with a certificate of occupancy issued for the project. The new building features 30 residences, a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedrooms with amenities including a residential lounge and professional building management.”

https://www.bldup.com/posts/construction-wraps-up-for-roxbury-multifamily

https://www.coldwellbanker.com/ma/b.../lid-P00800000GVTBNGq64jCMJcF5fN91aXF5REE2wQT

 

[jklo]

I was looking at NC in the area and just happened upon 16 Taber. Man, that is sooo close to Mass & Cass. At 500k it would be over 3 grand a month... bit of a gamble that the City/State will ever clean it up.

 

[F-Line to Dudley]

I was looking at NC in the area and just happened upon 16 Taber. Man, that is sooo close to Mass & Cass. At 500k it would be over 3 grand a month... bit of a gamble that the City/State will ever clean it up.

What the hell are you talking about? It's almost a 2/3 mile walk from Mass/Cass. The heart of Nubian Square ≠ Mass/Cass...not even close.

 

[jklo]

What the hell are you talking about? It's almost a 2/3 mile walk from Mass/Cass. The heart of Nubian Square ≠ Mass/Cass...not even close.

Well now you made me look at it again... and it does look a bit further from Cass than it looked at first glance on Redfin.

 

[curcuas]

What the hell are you talking about? It's almost a 2/3 mile walk from Mass/Cass. The heart of Nubian Square ≠ Mass/Cass...not even close.

And further, Mass and Cass is hyperlocalized. Three blocks down Harrison from Mass Ave, by BWSC, you see no sign of anything amiss.

 

[Suffolk 83]

And further, Mass and Cass is hyperlocalized. Three blocks down Harrison from Mass Ave, by BWSC, you see no sign of anything amiss.

I wouldnt go as far as to say this, I lived in the South End and Andrew Square and I would see/still see junkies every single day of my life for the last 10 years

 

[Bananarama]

A friend of mine lives in 10 Taber next door. It's no Mass and Cass, but it's slightly... bleak. Nubian station is not a pleasant place later in the night. The square overall feels zapped of life and these upcoming developments are desperately needed.

 

[curcuas]

I wouldnt go as far as to say this, I lived in the South End and Andrew Square and I would see/still see junkies every single day of my life for the last 10 years

I live nearby and walk through there multiple times a week...