Photo courtesy of Dorchester Not For SaleThe appointed five-member of Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) Board voted on April 11th, 2019, to approve a revision of the proposed mixed-use Dot Block development project despite significant concerns voiced by the anti-displacement organized neighbors.
Neighbors organized through Dorchester Not For Sale denounced that during the presentation of the project public comments were not permitted, although they have “repeatedly shared their concerns regarding the lack of affordability” of the development, that is proposed to be located in 1205 Dorchester Avenue with only 66 affordable residential units (13.5%) of a total of 488.
“They are clearly pushing families out of Boston,” Dot Not For Sale member Hajar Logan.
In a press release submitted, Dorchester Not For Sale claims that during the two Dot Block development meetings “residents discussed the serious impacts this major development will have on their working-class community, and identified opportunities to increase true affordability in the project. Several nearby developments, such as the Carruth and 233 Hancock have levels of affordability over 50%.”
Samuels and Associates and Wintergold LLC of the development team responded with “an unwillingness to make the proposed development for affordable to neighborhood residents and were unwilling to delay the project to explore solutions with the community,” the local organization stated.
According to neighbor and grassroots organizer Hajar Logan, Boston displacement crisis has “hit communities of color and immigrant communities the hardest (…) the BPDA needs to take this issue much more seriously.”
When questioned about displacement during the BPDA Board meeting, Samuels and Associates replied that because the development is on land that is currently not used for housing, it will not displace any residents. Dorchester Not For Sale members pushed back arguing that the new development will inflate rents in the surrounding area. BPDA staff member Viktoria Abolina stated that these “concerns are very valid,” according to the press release.
Dorchester Not For Sale called on the City to halt Dot Block’s approval until the completion of a wider Plan Glover’s Corner process with strong neighborhood affordability goals. BPDA will discuss draft recommendations for “PLAN: Glovers Corner” initiative in Dorchester on May 1st, 2019.
