Mattapan Infill and Small Developments

This is not in a great location, it's not close to transit, it's not close to anything, and it's open space. It should be left alone, not developed.
This has been my take for years regarding housing on the old Boston State Hospital grounds, particularly, as much of the housing has been aimed at low income residents, more likely reliant on transit. It's great that a lot of housing is being built, but the reliance on not very good bus service is highly problematic. In theory, the combo of routes 21 and 31 should provide high frequency service to Forest Hills, but given the number of people housed, that is inadequate and stimulates car reliance.
 
Mattapan Square pot shop wins zoning approval
thepot.jpg


The Zoning Board of Appeal today approved the Pot, a marijuana shop proposed for 532-542 River St. in Mattapan Square.

The shop, which won approval of the Boston Cannabis Board in October, now goes to the state Cannabis Control Commission for the last major approval it needs before it can begin.

https://www.universalhub.com/2022/mattapan-square-pot-shop-wins-zoning-approval
 
This property is right at the gateway to the square and it currently looks terrible. People may or may not like the idea of the dispensary but the property has had a hard time keeping tenants. I think it will look good for now and someday this might be the site of an interesting development. The river and bike trails run right behind it.
 
This property is right at the gateway to the square and it currently looks terrible. People may or may not like the idea of the dispensary but the property has had a hard time keeping tenants. I think it will look good for now and someday this might be the site of an interesting development. The river and bike trails run right behind it.
Agreed
 
The Board approved an update to a previously approved project at Brooke Charter School in Mattapan to now include a new addition that will house a cafeteria, wellness, and counseling supports, as well as other administrative offices.
3be01e60-f509-4769-b4f9-97a01396b2ff

Project Description
The Brooke Charter High School proposed the construction of approximately 95,000 gross square foot new school building to accommodate approximately 780 students in grades 8 through 12. The building will include core and specialty classrooms, a gymnasium, a cafeteria, an auditorium, administrative spaces, and various support spaces. The Project will also include outdoor educational space, a garden area, approximately 60 off-street parking spaces and loading/circulation areas. The school is to be located within the Olmsted Green East Campus on Parcels 2B-2 and 2B-3, located at 198-260 American Legion Highway and Kingbird Road in Mattapan.
https://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/brooke-charter-high-school
 
Olmsted Village brings housing to former Boston State Hospital property
2022-09-29_Project-Notification-Form-PNF_Olmsted-Village-1.jpg


“The Boston Planning & Development Agency has approved a smart growth development plan for Olmsted Village, which will bring 269 residential units to the site of the former Boston State Hospital property on Harvard Street in Mattapan.

The Olmsted Village Project will include six all-electric residential housing buildings, including a six-story building with 127 affordable senior-housing apartments, with a ground-floor community center and child care center; a four-story building – Treehouse at Olmsted Village – housing 60 affordable, intergenerational apartments; the four-story Russell House building with 43 mixed-income family apartments; two three-story buildings, each with four market-rate homeownership apartments; and a four-story building with 31 mixed-income homeownership apartments.

Olmsted Village is located within the city’s only Smart Growth Overlay District, established in 2007 to “encourage diverse housing developments with various housing and transportation options within Mattapan.”

https://bostonagentmagazine.com/202...ing-to-former-boston-state-hospital-property/
 
Last edited:
Daily Table opens new Mattapan store
By Reporter Staff
April 5, 2023
Daily%20Table%20brief%20REP%2014-23.jpg


“The non-profit grocery store Daily Table opened its fourth location last week on the ground floor of The Loop, the mixed-use building that is nearing completion on what was once a parking lot next to Mattapan station at 474 River St.
The four-story building will also house 135 units of housing, the first large-scale development of its kind in Mattapan Square in recent years.
Daily Table offers nutritious and affordable food staples like fresh produce, meat, dairy at prices “significantly lower than other local supermarkets,” according to a company statement. It accepts cash, credit, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Its original store opened on Washington Street in Codman Square. It also has outlets in Cambridge and Roxbury.”

https://www.dotnews.com/2023/daily-table-opens-new-mattapan-store
 
Only got one pic from the rear of the property, but the new development by the Morton St bridge over the Fairmount Line is a major presence. Also, substantial new apartment building on Gallivan @ Wildwood. Good stuff.
618CD7D9-D669-4ACB-A3EB-F9A2D496385A.jpeg
 
PLAN: Mattapan is on the table; BPDA board to take it up next week
Plan Mattapan ADU example.png


“PLAN: Mattapan,” an effort to remake the neighborhood by allowing backyard residential units and strengthening Mattapan Square as one of the city’s economic hubs, is set to be placed before the Boston Planning and Development Agency’s board later this month.

BPDA officials laid out the final version of the plan, the result of five years of community engagement that builds on previous planning efforts for Mattapan, in an online meeting last Wednesday (April 26). If approved, the plan will function as a guide for developers and residents in the years ahead.

A key part of the visioning seeks to make it easier for homeowners to add accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to their property, be they small backyard houses or units added to an existing home that can provide extra income or allow for senior housing as part of an intergenerational household.
“Mattapan is a place that is uniquely positioned to be host to a kind of growth, a kind of gentle density that has a possibility of not only unlocking more opportunities for intergenerational living in the neighborhood, but also, through the addition of ADUs, increase the value of Mattapan homeowners’ homes,” said Arthur Jemison, Mayor Wu’s chief of planning and the head of BPDA...”

https://www.dotnews.com/2023/plan-mattapan-table-bpda-board-take-it-next-week
 
PLAN: Mattapan is on the table; BPDA board to take it up next week
Plan Mattapan ADU example.png


“PLAN: Mattapan,” an effort to remake the neighborhood by allowing backyard residential units and strengthening Mattapan Square as one of the city’s economic hubs, is set to be placed before the Boston Planning and Development Agency’s board later this month.

BPDA officials laid out the final version of the plan, the result of five years of community engagement that builds on previous planning efforts for Mattapan, in an online meeting last Wednesday (April 26). If approved, the plan will function as a guide for developers and residents in the years ahead.

A key part of the visioning seeks to make it easier for homeowners to add accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to their property, be they small backyard houses or units added to an existing home that can provide extra income or allow for senior housing as part of an intergenerational household.
“Mattapan is a place that is uniquely positioned to be host to a kind of growth, a kind of gentle density that has a possibility of not only unlocking more opportunities for intergenerational living in the neighborhood, but also, through the addition of ADUs, increase the value of Mattapan homeowners’ homes,” said Arthur Jemison, Mayor Wu’s chief of planning and the head of BPDA...”

https://www.dotnews.com/2023/plan-mattapan-table-bpda-board-take-it-next-week

Don't really understand why ADU reforms can't be citywide. Sure, they are more applicable in neighborhoods with SFHs, but why not permit detached ADUs anywhere the property owner has the space and desire?
 
1471 Blue Hill Avenue project will bring new income-restricted housing to Mattapan

55592c26-4d90-40f9-80a5-50f0c4e62bc3

1471side.jpg


“This project at 1471 Blue Hill Avenue in Mattapan will convert a vacant lot into a five-story residential building with 41 energy-efficient and income-restricted rental units. The units range from one-bedrooms to three-bedrooms. There will be bicycle parking spaces for residents and for visitors. In addition, this project will contribute a bike-share station on site. There will also be a community art and workroom on site. Approximately 43 percent of the project site will be open space, and there will also be a publicly accessible pocket park on site.”

https://bostonrealestatetimes.com/bpda-approves-new-development-projects/
 
I wish the T were importing Mercedes buses from Europe instead of more of the same New Flyer crap but something tells me that's not happening

1695086417938.png
 
156 Wellington Hill st.
View attachment 40473

“This is a home ownership project, building on the existing structure to result in a five (5) story, twenty-seven (27) unit mixed-use building with a common roof deck and twelve (12) parking spaces, twenty-seven (27) tenant bicycle parking space, and retail spaces on the ground level.”

https://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/156-wellington-hill-street

This is approved

https://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/156-wellington-hill-street
 
1471 Blue Hill Avenue project will bring new income-restricted housing to Mattapan

55592c26-4d90-40f9-80a5-50f0c4e62bc3

1471side.jpg


“This project at 1471 Blue Hill Avenue in Mattapan will convert a vacant lot into a five-story residential building with 41 energy-efficient and income-restricted rental units. The units range from one-bedrooms to three-bedrooms. There will be bicycle parking spaces for residents and for visitors. In addition, this project will contribute a bike-share station on site. There will also be a community art and workroom on site. Approximately 43 percent of the project site will be open space, and there will also be a publicly accessible pocket park on site.”

https://bostonrealestatetimes.com/bpda-approves-new-development-projects/
ZBA approved, let's keep it going!

 
11/23:

820 Cummins Highway and 30-42 Regis Road (76 units)




Nice to see some different colors splashed in there, we could always use more color. Plus the rowhouse inspired massing is a nice touch in an area of majority detached houses. We need so many more of these.
 

Back
Top