Boston Public Improvement Commission Hearing on 10 Petitions, July 9, 2026

The Boston Public Improvement Commission met on July 9, 2026, at approximately 3:00 PM to conduct a public hearing on 10 petitions for specific repairs, easements, abandonment, and licenses. All petitions were approved unanimously. The meeting also included a procedural comment from a member of the public and the continuation of four new business items to August 6, 2026.

Consent Calendar

• Acceptance of the minutes from the June 25, 2026, hearing was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ann McKinnon (public) commented on the inadequacy of legal notices. She requested that notices include a clear description of proposed work (e.g., pedestrian ramp improvements) rather than vague terms like "specific repairs," and that they provide information on how to participate online. She noted she took time off work to appear in person because notices did not mention online participation. She emphasized speaking for many others who share this concern.

Discussion Items

Item 1: Mahoney Development Group – Specific Repairs (Congress, Kilby, Exchange Place)

• Proposal included curb, sidewalk, and pedestrian ramp reconstruction; new and relocated storm drain infrastructure; and groundwater recharge infrastructure with two injection wells on Exchange Place. The project is within the Groundwater Conservation Overlay District (Article 32). Proponent represented by Sarah Kassanovich. Approved unanimously.

Item 2: City of Boston Public Works and Transportation – Specific Repairs (Mount Ida Road and Marie Street, Dorchester)

• Proposal included curb realignment, roadway and sidewalk reconstruction, new pedestrian ramps, street lighting, stormwater infrastructure, and a raised crosswalk to improve access to Roman Park. A community meeting was held with two residents; a follow-up on-site meeting is being planned. Approved unanimously.

Item 3: 69 Kilmarnock Street Properties – Pedestrian Easement (Kilmarnock Street, Fenway)

• Proposal to accept a pedestrian easement to widen the right-of-way at a curved corner, coordinated with city planning. No changes since new business. Approved unanimously.

Item 4: 69 Kilmarnock Street Properties – Specific Repairs (Kilmarnock and Queensbury Streets, Fenway)

• Proposal included curb realignment, sidewalk reconstruction with structural soil, relocated pedestrian ramps, street lighting, street trees, landscaping, bike racks, driveway curb cuts, and wayfinding signs. Two changes from the version presented at new business: (1) relocated two short-term bike racks from a paved pad to a location with existing racks per planning department request; (2) reduced the width of a driveway apron from 3 feet 10 inches to approximately 2 feet to provide a 4-foot flush zone along the sidewalk for accessibility, while maintaining a level landing at a residential gate. Commission discussed material choice (granite versus concrete) and accepted the proposed design due to constraints from a direct-access unit. Approved unanimously.

Item 5: Monarch Development – Specific Repairs (East Broadway, South Boston)

• Proposal included sidewalk reconstruction with structural soil, new street lighting, street trees, and bike racks. The project involves demolition of an existing three-story mixed-use building and construction of a four-story mixed-use building with 12 residential units (10 additional), ground-floor commercial space, and six surface parking spaces accessed from New Hill Place. Approved unanimously.

Item 6: Monarch Development – Projection License (East Broadway, South Boston)

• Proposal for a canopy extending 3 feet 2 inches to 3 feet 4 inches over the sidewalk for a length of 50 feet 8 inches. No city agency comments. Approved unanimously.

Item 7: Northeastern University – Widening and Relocation of Public Alley 823 Right-of-Way (Roxbury)

• Proposal to adjust right-of-way lines for the alley near 238–262 St. Botolph Street. Title block updated per prior comments. Approved unanimously.

Item 8: Northeastern University and MBTA – Abandonment of Travel Rights in Private Alley 816 (Roxbury)

• Proposal to abandon any and all public travel rights in a 10-foot private alley extending from St. Botolph Street to its southeasterly terminus. No additional comments since new business. Approved unanimously.

Item 9: Northeastern University – Acceptance of Three Pedestrian Easements (Roxbury)

• Proposal to accept pedestrian easements along St. Botolph Street (southeasterly side), Gainsborough Street (northeasterly side), and Public Alley 823 (southwesterly side). No changes since new business. Approved unanimously.

Item 10: Northeastern University – Specific Repairs (Roxbury: St. Botolph, Gainsborough, Public Alley 823)

• Proposal included curb realignment, roadway and sidewalk reconstruction with structural soil, new pedestrian ramps, specialty pavements, street lighting, stormwater infrastructure, street trees, landscaping, bollards, bike racks, utility covers, driveway curb cuts, and a bike share station. Specific quantities: replacement of 467 linear feet of concrete sidewalk on St. Botolph, reconfiguration of 208 linear feet of existing curb on Gainsborough, and 228 linear feet of new driveway curb along Public Alley 823. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• All 10 public hearing petitions were approved unanimously.
• Four new business items were read into the record (Washington Street/Summer Street/Tremont Street/Winter Street specific repairs by MBTA; One Harbor Street pedestrian easement and specific repairs by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and EDIC; multiple petitions by MEM Building C LLC and Boston Housing Authority; and a rescission of approved specific repairs and projection license at 9 Chelsea Street, East Boston) and continued to August 6, 2026, due to an urgent matter requiring the immediate attention of multiple commission members. Project teams will be contacted offline.
• The meeting was adjourned after the new business reading.