Boston Planning and Development Agency Board Meeting Summary – September 17, 2026

The Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) Board and the Economic Development Industrial Corporation (EDIC) Board held a joint hybrid meeting on September 17, 2026, at Boston City Hall. The meeting covered approval of multiple administrative contracts, two new housing development projects, an informational update on the city's anti-displacement plan, and a major federal grant to fund neighborhood shuttle and microtransit services. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• Minutes Approval: Approved the minutes of the August 13, 2026 board meetings (both EDIC and BRA).
• EDIC Engineering Contract Amendment (Birth 10): Approved amending the contract with Child's Engineering for repair design at Birth 10, increasing the contract by $49,315 plus a 10% design contingency of $4,931.50, for a total amendment of $54,246.50 and an aggregate contract amount not to exceed $189,090.
• EDIC Engineering Contract Amendment (12 Channel Street): Approved amending the contract with Gale Associates for platform and canopy repairs, increasing by $25,000 plus a $2,500 contingency (total $27,500), bringing the total engineering contract to $586,365.
• EDIC Trash Removal Contract Amendment: Approved amending the contract with DBI Waste Systems for trash removal in the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park, adding $25,000 for a total contract amount of $140,008.
• EDIC IFB for Trash Removal: Authorized the issuance of an invitation for bids (IFB) for trash removal services for a three-year term with two one-year renewal options, not to exceed $195,000.
• EDIC IFB for HVAC Maintenance: Authorized an IFB for inspection, testing, and preventative maintenance of HVAC systems at 12 Channel Street for three years with two one-year options, not to exceed $255,000.
• EDIC Workforce Training Contract: Approved a six-month, $130,000 contract with the Peterson School to deliver instruction in HVAC, commercial refrigeration, and construction math for the Power Corps Boston Building Operations Training Program, targeting 18-30 year old Boston residents for green careers.
• Personnel Actions (EDIC): Approved a new IT contract hire (Zachary Gagney), an urban design internship (Sheeta Gorla), and accepted a resignation in the research division (Emily Correst).
• BRA Parcel Extension (P-12C): Approved a 12-month extension (to September 30, 2027) of the tentative designation for the joint venture between Asian Community Development Corporation and Community Builders Inc. as redeveloper of Parcel P-12C at 290 Tremont Street, Chinatown, for a proposed 111 affordable rental units.
• BRA Charlestown Peace Park Transfer: Authorized conveyance of the parcel known as Charlestown Peace Park to the Boston Parks and Recreation Department for $1.
• BRA Shipyard Park RFP: Authorized issuance of a request for proposals for landscape and engineering design services for repairs at Shipyard Park in the Charlestown Navy Yard, with a design budget of $150,000 and construction budget of $850,000.
• BRA China Trade Center Roof Replacement IFB: Authorized an IFB for construction of the roof replacement at the China Trade Center (2 Boylston Street), with a budget of $1.5 million.
• BRA Certificate of Completion: Issued a certificate of completion for the 1003-1013 Harrison Avenue project (Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology).
• BRA Allston Green Mitigation Payment Schedule: Approved an amended cooperation agreement to adjust the payment schedule for mitigation and public benefits funds (originally $135,000 due at building permit) to two installments of $67,500 each, payable within 90 days of certificates of occupancy for Building C and the first of Buildings A or B.
• BRA Affordable Housing Agreements (176 Lincoln Street): Approved an affordable rental housing agreement and contribution agreement for the 176 Lincoln Street development (253 rental units), requiring 23 on-site income-restricted units and a $4.3 million contribution to the IDP special revenue fund.
• BRA Tufts Medical Center IMP Renewal: Approved a five-year renewal of the Tufts Medical Center Institutional Master Plan with no changes.
• BRA Boston University IMP Renewal: Approved a five-year renewal of the Boston University Charles River Campus Institutional Master Plan with no changes.
• BRA Contractual Payments: Authorized payment of bills.

Discussion Items

Link Up Greater Boston Congestion Relief Program Grant (EDIC Item 8)

• Presenter: Jim Fitzgerald (Deputy Director of Planning Review), Amina Scott (Deputy Controller of Strategic Funding), Matt Moran (Deputy Director of Transit, Streets Cabinet).
• The board voted to authorize a pass-through contract with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to access $11,448,556 in federal funding for a three-year program to support first-mile/last-mile shuttle and microtransit services in five Boston neighborhoods: Allston/Brighton, Charlestown, Mattapan, Roxbury, and the Seaport.
• Three routes will be run by Transportation Management Associations (TMAs) and two city-organized routes (Mattapan and Roxbury) will undergo community engagement to finalize routes.
• Services will be fare-free, accessible, and share a common brand ("Link") and consistent rider information. The first year will focus on understanding demand and ridership; subsequent years will explore additional funding sources.
• Board members expressed strong support, noting the importance of tailored neighborhood services and the need to extend transit options to underserved areas like the Southwest Corridor (Hyde Park, Roslindale, West Roxbury). Questions addressed the three-year timeline, fare-free policy, community outreach plans, administrative roles, and financial controls.

A Place to Thrive Anti-Displacement Plan – One-Year Progress Update (BRA Item 7)

• Presenters: Catherine Lask (Executive Director, Planning Advisory Council) and Joy Armstrong (Implementation Manager).
• The board received an informational update on the first year of implementation of "A Place to Thrive," Boston's first citywide anti-displacement action plan adopted in July 2025.
• The plan includes 53 initiatives under four pillars (Protect, Preserve, Produce, Prosper). As of September 2026, nearly 70% of commitments are actively being implemented or in development, including 10 new initiatives launched since adoption. 11 policies are in the legislative pipeline; six are paused or under review due to regulatory or resource constraints.
• Highlights include: the Article 80 direct displacement disclosure pilot (launched January 2026), the Boston Acquisition Fund ($45M, with recent acquisition of Parkside on Adams preserving 43 units), the Housing Accelerator Fund ($110M, supporting 266 units at Bunker Hill and mixed-income projects), and the Office to Residential Conversion Program (19 projects approved, 1,500 units, 276 income-restricted).
• Board members commended the transparency, cross-departmental coordination, and community engagement efforts, and asked for details on the disclosure notice forms and the role of the Planning Advisory Council.

Small Project Review – 697 Cambridge Street, Brighton (BRA Item 9)

• Approved a three-story addition to an existing two-story commercial building to create 42 residential rental units (7 IZ units), 24 parking spaces, and 44 bicycle spaces.
• The development team committed to working with the current tenant, a Brazilian women's group (nonprofit providing translation and immigration services), to find an alternative location, including an extended lease and active search. Board member emphasized the importance of ensuring this commitment is fulfilled.

Small Project Review – 2062 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester (BRA Item 12)

• Approved construction of a new four-story plus mezzanine building with 20 homeownership units (4 IZ units), 5 parking spaces, and 34 bicycle spaces, replacing a vacant two-family home.
• The project required zoning relief for dimensions and use, which staff supported due to the deep parcel and community input to pull the building back from the neighbor. The units are mostly smaller (compact) to provide natural affordability. The building will be all-electric and comply with the previous version of Article 37 (stretch energy code).

Key Outcomes

• All 15 items on the EDIC and BRA agendas were approved unanimously by voice vote.
• Housing Production: Two new projects approved add 82 housing units (11 income-restricted) and represent $19 million in investment, creating 46 direct construction jobs and 23 indirect jobs.
• Transportation Grant: The BPDA will serve as fiscal agent for the $11.45 million federal grant for Link shuttle services, with implementation led by the Streets Cabinet and TMAs. Community engagement for Mattapan and Roxbury routes will begin in the coming months.
• Anti-Displacement Plan: The board received the one-year progress report; the Planning Advisory Council will continue tracking and report back at the end of the 12-month pilot for the disclosure requirement.
• Upcoming Tax Relief: Director Shen announced that four previously approved projects will be brought before the board next month for potential 121B tax agreements aimed at restarting construction.
• Certificate of Completion: The Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology building in Nubian Square was formally completed, delivering $600,000 in streetscape improvements and $650,000 in environmental cleanup, along with ongoing community programming.