Hang onto your hats, Southie!
So could it be that the mystery of the Boston Athletic Club has been solved? Universal Hub is reporting that Pappas Enterprises, Inc., which owns land in the West First Street/Pappas Way area, in addition to leasing land from Massport also in this area, is teaming up with Oxford Properties Group of Toronto to develop this neighborhood.
A letter of intent was filed with the Boston Planning and Development Agency to develop eight acres with seven buildings for commercial space and residential housing. The project also includes potential for “a neighborhood grocery store, new fitness, and wellness options for the neighborhood and locally owned eateries.” So could the BAC or another gym be opening in this new development? Perhaps. See the project description below!
Project Description
The Project envisions improved and expanded public sidewalks along its sections of First Street which borders the residential area, with thoughtfully designed open spaces, high-quality landscaping, and new building heights and massing that respect and connect with the adjacent South Boston residential neighborhood. The Project is proposed to include approximately 1.7 million square feet of development in 7 new buildings, of which approximately 1.1 million square feet is anticipated to be located on the approximately 6 acres of land along West First Street and approximately 600,000 square feet along Pappas Way. Proposed building uses would include a variety of commercial and employment-based opportunities, with a portion of residential housing that responds to the needs of the neighborhood. Visioning for ground floor uses could include a neighborhood grocery store, new fitness and wellness options for the neighborhood and locally owned eateries, with a building massing and heights calibrated to respect the existing structures along First Street and the residential section of South Boston, and with increasing building heights moving north, away from West First Street.
According to Universal Hub, because of the size of the project, the companies can also file for a “planned development area” designation. What does this mean? It basically means this would let them throw out whatever zoning now exists for the land and negotiate new zoning with the BPDA.
This area is located right across from the new 776 Summer Street Development. So lots of changes coming to this neck of the woods.
You can get the full details of this project here. You can also read the full filing, including meeting schedule, here.
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
The 2030 agenda, the British crown moving in from Canada.
We’ve had enough of this BS already, it’s rabid capitalism.
Do the research people and learn about the changes we’ve already seen.
Southie has been destroyed for the benefit of ridiculously wealthy interests (oxford property group Toronto) being the latest.
This ties in to the plan for the area next to the flower exchange known as Boston food market., It’s all planned and it’s called the 2030 agenda.
Can’t have it., It all sounds sweet when it’s announced but once you learn where it’s headed you’ll think twice….more taxes ?..high rents ?
Who benefits ?
The city, the politicians, the hacks.,
The landlords…who benefits is the ultimate question., WHO BENEFITS ?
But but it’ll bring jobs, yeah yeah yeah…hack jobs like it’s always been,
Period.
And it won’t change in our life time Mike! ):
Love it… look at that whole area of industrial laydown areas… it was bound to happen… and hopefully the next spot is those random weird un developed areas across of the US Army of Engineers building on Summer street. Sooo unsightly.
Unbelievable! So glad I’m outta there!
The plan failed to mention four -7story buildings in phase 1… with a tiny green space in-between with no plan for parking.
A mini-Seaport…and then the Edison development which will be like Assembly Row…at the other end of 1st Street. Too much!
Where are the traffic, parking and shadow studies?
Neighbors, we have to attend the meetings to voice opposition.