Boston Public Improvement Commission Hearing - June 25, 2026

The Boston Public Improvement Commission (PIC) held a public hearing on June 25, 2026, to consider 12 petitions for public way repairs, pedestrian easements, vertical discontinuances, and projection licenses, as well as six new business items introduced for future consideration. All public hearing items were approved unanimously. The meeting was chaired by the commission chair, with representatives from the Transportation Department (Amy Corden), Property Management (Joseph Callahan), and the Water and Sewer Commission present.

Consent Calendar

• The commission approved the minutes of the June 4, 2026 PIC hearing by a unanimous vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Dolores, a public commenter, expressed concern about the broader implications of climate change and sea level rise on city resiliency, noting the Children's Museum petition as an example of the challenges the city faces. She requested more information on citywide resiliency planning.
• A representative of the Audubon Circle Neighborhood Association spoke in support of the Aberdeen Street public repairs (item 6), praising the collaborative process with the developer and highlighting benefits such as new planters, trellis, and guardrail. He offered to submit written comments.

Discussion Items

Public Hearing Items (Vote Taken):

1. Mildred Haley project (Jamaica Plain): Approved a joint petition for specific repairs on Center Street. One tree removal was previously approved; formal approval from the tree warden is pending.
2. CAD Builders LLC (West Roxbury): Approved a pedestrian easement adjacent to Center Street for a proposed four-story mixed-use building with 21 residential units and ground floor commercial space, to accommodate an ADA ramp clear space.
3. CAD Builders LLC (West Roxbury): Approved specific repairs on Center Street and Park Street including curb and sidewalk reconstruction, pedestrian ramps, street lighting, storm drainage, street trees, and bike racks. A 28-foot curb cut on Park Street will be reduced to 12 feet.
4. Children's Museum (South Boston): Approved vertical discontinuance of airspace above and below sidewalk grades on Congress and Sleeper streets to allow flood protection improvements against sea level rise. The discontinuance area extends one foot off the building, from 3.4 feet below grade to 6.6 feet above grade. The project received support from the Office of Neighborhood Services. The commission discussed coordination with planned Sleeper Street improvements to avoid construction delays.
5. Brighton Main Streets: Approved specific repairs for two wayfinding signs ("Welcome to Brighton Center" and "Welcome to Oak Square") to be installed in traffic landings.
6. AREMA region (Fenway): Approved specific repairs on Aberdeen Street including street light replacement, a new planter, guardrail, and privacy fence at the dead end, as off-site mitigation for the Landmark phase three project (421 Park Drive). The proponent agreed to replace broken sidewalk panels near the driveway.
7. 363 East Street LLC (South Boston): Approved three pedestrian easements on East, Bolton, and West Third streets to widen sidewalks for consistent ADA path of travel. The easements were consolidated into one continuous easement along West Third Street.
8. 363 East Street LLC (South Boston): Approved specific repairs on E, Bolton, and West Third streets including curb realignment, sidewalk reconstruction, pedestrian ramps, specialty pavements, street lighting, traffic signals, street trees, bike racks, and a bike share station. Approval was contingent on final approval by the Commission for Persons with Disabilities.
9. Stats 77 LLC (South Boston): Approved a pedestrian easement along Dorchester Street (60 feet long, 6 inches wide) and Athens Street (7-8 feet long, 2.5 feet wide) for a five-story building with 15 residential units and a ground-floor restaurant.
10. Stats 77 LLC (South Boston): Approved vertical discontinuance of two protrusions (each ~24 sq ft) from the second to fourth floors over Dorchester Street.
11. Stats 77 LLC (South Boston): Approved specific repairs on Dorchester and Athens streets including concrete sidewalks, bike racks, pavers, and a raised crosswalk.
12. Stats 77 LLC (South Boston): Approved a projection license for a canopy extending 3 feet 4 inches over the sidewalk on Dorchester Street and 8 inches on Athens Street.

New Business Items (Presentation Only, No Vote):

1. 50 Congress Street (Mahone Development Group): Presented plans to convert a 10-story office building into 169 residential units with ground floor commercial. Requires a stormwater tank and injection wells in the public sidewalk. Will return for final hearing on July 9.
2. Mount Ida Road and Marie Street (Public Works and Transportation Dept.): Presented a plan for a raised crosswalk, pedestrian ramps, and minor drainage work to improve access to Rodney Park. A public meeting with constituents is scheduled for the following week. Will return July 9.
3. 65-69 Kilmarnock Street (69 Kilmarnock Street Properties LLC): Presented a pedestrian easement (3.5 feet wide) and specific repairs including a bus bulb-out for MBTA Route 55, street trees, and bike racks. Part of a project with 89 units (half for Boston Children's Hospital patient family housing). Will return July 9.
4. 736-742 East Broadway (Monarch Development LLC): Presented specific repairs for two street trees and bike racks, and a projection license for a canopy extending 3 feet 2-4 inches over the sidewalk. Will return July 9.
5. 238-262 St. Botolph Street (Northeastern University and MBTA): Presented four petitions: abandonment of a private alley, widening/relocation of public alley 823, a pedestrian easement, and specific repairs for a new arena (310,000 sq ft) including sidewalks, curbs, street trees, a Bluebikes station, and bike racks. Will return July 9.
6. Washington, Summer, Tremont, Winter Streets (MBTA): Presented specific repairs for vent enclosures supporting three new elevators at Downtown Crossing Station. Coordination with the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture on aesthetics was noted. Will return July 9.

Key Outcomes

• All 12 public hearing petitions (items 1-12) were approved by unanimous votes of the commission.
• New business items were introduced for public hearing; applicants were given two weeks (until July 9, 2026) to provide additional information and address agency comments before final votes.