BPDA says maybe Amazon in Southie isn’t the best idea

A No Go from the BPDA

On Thursday, the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) said the plan to put an Amazon Warehouse on Dot. Ave in Southie doesn’t fit with plans for more housing and office development.

According to the Boston Globe, the BPDA sent a memo to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) recommending rejecting the plan proposed by the developer.

This project has not been without controversy.  Back in June when it was revealed that the developers wanted to change the zoning to allow a giant Amazon distribution center, some residents were vocal about their opposition to the warehouse and wanted to see what was initially planned for that area. 

Okay, so what was planned? 

Well, a 2016 Boston Planning & Development Agency plan envisioned a mixed-use neighborhood of housing and offices for this area. Remember Plan Dot Ave?

Who’s the developer?

Core Investments.  They are also partners in the 746-unit Washington Village complex across the way!

Now what?

The ZBA is set to vote on the matter in November.

What else is happening in that neighborhood?

Tatte Bakery will open as the anchor tenant at 60-70 Old Colony Ave.   The wildly popular and chic bakery will offer classes and workshops open to the public, and have a viewing area of the production space which will serve all Tatte’s Massachusetts locations as they undertake significant expansion.  Tatte’s new space totals nearly 30,000 SF and will create over 100 jobs. Holy Moly! Also in store for the former Cole Hersee industrial buildings will be an additional eight to ten additional restaurant and retail operators in a new dynamic ground floor. Overall, the project’s new restaurant and retail storefronts will total nearly 75K SF.