The construction of the Tremont Crossing project is estimated to generate 2,000 construction jobs over a 30-month period. Once complete, the project is estimated to create 1,519 permanent jobs made up of 650 office jobs, 799 retail jobs, 10 residential management jobs, 10 museum jobs, and 50 jobs directly related to the project site, according to figures supplied by the BPDA.

The BPDA board of directors approved in total four development projects valued at $968 million that will add 1,713 residential units to the city's housing stock. A total of 234 units are designed as affordable. During construction, the BPDA estimates that the approved projects will employ 2,985 trades people and will create 980 direct jobs when construction is complete. According to a fact sheet filed with the BPDA earlier this year, the developer hopes to begin construction on the venture by the spring or summer of this year.

The board also approved PLAN: JP/Rox that will establish guidelines to create a plan to double the existing affordable housing stock in the study area in two neighborhoods of Jamaica Plain and Roxbury. The area covers Forest Hills, Egleston Square and Jackson Square, generally bounded by Washington Street, Columbus Avenue and Amory Street. The plan would earmark 40% of future development in the study area to be affordable

Also approved by the board was the Municipal Harbor Plan for the Downtown Waterfront District. The municipal harbor plan for future development calls for the enhancement of public access and use of the waterfront, support water dependent uses, as well as measures to protect and activate the Rose Kennedy Greenway.

The MHP includes flexible development standards for two key parcels—the Harbor Garage site, where a new structure up to 600 feet tall and with 50 percent of the project site as open space replaces the existing 70-foot high structured parking garage that provides virtually no open space and The Hook Wharf site, where the temporary home of the James Hook Lobster Co. will be replaced with a new structure up to 305 feet tall, with 30 percent of the lot coverage as open space.

The MHP will now go to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for approval.

BOSTON—The first dirt may finally be turned on the long-talked about $500-million mixed-use Tremont Crossing project in Roxbury later this year.

The Boston Planning & Development Agency's board of directors approved at a session last Thursday plans for Tremont Crossing, a project totaling approximately 1.9 million square feet of mixed-use space. The project being developed by Elma Lewis Partners and Feldco Development is to be built on BPDA-owned vacant land known as Parcel P-3 and will not exceed a total of approximately 2.24 million square feet.

The development, more than 10 years in the making, now calls for 727 units of residential housing, including 102 affordable units and Section 8 townhomes. The project will also feature approximately 440,000 square feet to 490,000 square feet of gross floor area of retail and restaurant space, approximately 90,000 square feet to 120,000 square feet of gross floor area of office space, approximately 31,000 square feet of gross floor area of museum/cultural center spa and a parking garage for up to 1,371 vehicles. BJ's Wholesale Club would anchor the retail component. The property, bounded by Tremont Street Whittier Street and Downing Street is currently vacant and features some surface parking lots.

The development proposal also calls for a new 31,000-square-foot National Center of African American Artists museum. Other community benefits of the project include the rehabilitation of the Good Shepherd Church, job training programs, community meeting space, a 20-year commitment to funding for the Alice Taylor Housing development and Whittier Apartments, rent contribution for local entrepreneurs for 15 years, approximately $3,252,417 to the Neighborhood Housing Trust and approximately $651,263 to the Neighborhood Jobs Trust.

The construction of the Tremont Crossing project is estimated to generate 2,000 construction jobs over a 30-month period. Once complete, the project is estimated to create 1,519 permanent jobs made up of 650 office jobs, 799 retail jobs, 10 residential management jobs, 10 museum jobs, and 50 jobs directly related to the project site, according to figures supplied by the BPDA.

The BPDA board of directors approved in total four development projects valued at $968 million that will add 1,713 residential units to the city's housing stock. A total of 234 units are designed as affordable. During construction, the BPDA estimates that the approved projects will employ 2,985 trades people and will create 980 direct jobs when construction is complete. According to a fact sheet filed with the BPDA earlier this year, the developer hopes to begin construction on the venture by the spring or summer of this year.

The board also approved PLAN: JP/Rox that will establish guidelines to create a plan to double the existing affordable housing stock in the study area in two neighborhoods of Jamaica Plain and Roxbury. The area covers Forest Hills, Egleston Square and Jackson Square, generally bounded by Washington Street, Columbus Avenue and Amory Street. The plan would earmark 40% of future development in the study area to be affordable

Also approved by the board was the Municipal Harbor Plan for the Downtown Waterfront District. The municipal harbor plan for future development calls for the enhancement of public access and use of the waterfront, support water dependent uses, as well as measures to protect and activate the Rose Kennedy Greenway.

The MHP includes flexible development standards for two key parcels—the Harbor Garage site, where a new structure up to 600 feet tall and with 50 percent of the project site as open space replaces the existing 70-foot high structured parking garage that provides virtually no open space and The Hook Wharf site, where the temporary home of the James Hook Lobster Co. will be replaced with a new structure up to 305 feet tall, with 30 percent of the lot coverage as open space.

The MHP will now go to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for approval.