For Immediate Release          January 25, 2005                    

 

Media Contacts:


Richard Thal, 617-522-2424x231

Jamaica Plain NDC

Mossik Hacobian, 617-989-9201
Urban Edge
Claudio Martinez, 617-524-8303
Hyde Square Task Force




Partners for Jackson Team Submits Proposal for

Redevelopment of Jackson Square

Development Plan Delivers Community's Vision with Youth and Family Facilities,

Affordable Housing and new Retail Stores


CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THIS PRESS RELEASE IN PDF FORMAT

 

Leaders from the Partners for Jackson team today submitted a proposal for development of 6.5 acres of publicly-owned land in Jackson Square, in response to a request for proposals (RFP) issued by the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

 

Partners for Jackson is a unique and unprecedented collaboration of Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC), Urban Edge, and Hyde Square Task Force.  The three non-profit community organizations share a three-decade history and commitment to the revitalization of Jackson Square and nearby neighborhoods anchored by Egleston Square and Hyde Square.

 

Since the RFP was issued last summer, the Partners for Jackson team has led a broad-based community planning initiative to gain input into its proposal, involving more than 200 residents, merchants, and youth from across Roxbury and Jamaica Plain.  This planning initiative included the publicly-owned land and additional private land controlled by Urban Edge.  The result is a bold and ambitious plan that delivers the community vision while balancing the realities of financial feasibility. 

 

In total, across all of the public and private parcels included in the plan, Partners for Jackson proposes:

 

 

The development is scheduled to be completed in phases through 2009 at a total cost estimated at $205 million.

 

Richard Thal, executive director of JPNDC, said, "Our partnership in Jackson Square will help mobilize a larger and stronger community base and ensure a development outcome that meets the community's vision. We feel our proposal translates this vision into an ambitious but realistic development plan that meets the priority needs expressed by the community."

 

In addition to the principal partners, Partners for Jackson's proposal also includes Friends of the Kelly Rink and two distinguished private development partners, Trinity Financial, Inc. and Gravestar, Inc., each of who will assume an active development role.  We are working with Friends of the Kelly Rink to explore inclusion of ice in the indoor recreational facility.  Trinity Financial, Inc. is a professional real estate development firm specializing in residential and commercial development which has completed or currently has in development nearly $500 million of real estate projects, including over 162,000 square feet of commercial space and over 3,000 units of housing.  Gravestar, Inc. brings an impressive portfolio of commercial real estate development and management, with a focus on environmentally sensitive urban retail development.

 

The team also includes two skilled Architectural and Urban Planning firms- Tise Design Associates, and Stull & Lee Architects, as well as a number of highly respected planning and development consultants.

 

"We welcome the participation of Trinity Financial and Gravestar on our team," said Mossik Hacobian, executive director of Urban Edge.  "Although the two CDCs have a strong track record in development of affordable housing, commercial and community facilities, by teaming up with each other and the addition of our private partners we will complete the development much more quickly."

 

In June of 1999 Mayor Menino appointed the Jackson Square Coordinating Group (JCG) to work with the Boston Redevelopment Authority to engage in a community planning process for approximately six acres of publicly owned land near the Jackson Square T Station, and more than 30 organizations with interests in the neighborhood participated.  The JCG process created a community vision for mixed-use development in Jackson Square, including affordable housing, youth and family educational, cultural, and recreational facilities, and small-scale retail and commercial development.  In October of 2003, more than 450 local residents, along with city and state officials, publicly endorsed the JCG vision for Jackson Square. The BRA released an RFP for the land in July, 2004.

 

"The development of Jackson Square represents a once in a lifetime opportunity for this community," said Claudio Martinez, executive director of Hyde Square Task Force. "Jackson Square is a meeting ground between Jamaica Plain and Roxbury, and we have a unique opportunity for community-driven development that can benefit youth, families and merchants in both neighborhoods."

 

The BRA and the Jackson Square Coordinating Group will host a Community Meeting on Wednesday February 9th at 6:30 pm at Roxbury Community College to allow potential developers to present their plans to the community for review and comment.  A decision on designation is expected this spring.  In the meantime, Partners for Jackson is holding meetings with community and political leaders to seek advice and support.

 

Partners for Jackson's proposal can be found at public libraries or at offices of Urban Edge, JPNDC, HSTF.  

 

Attachments

Schematic sketches of development proposal

Charts excerpted form proposal re housing mix and affordability

 

###

 

The Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC) is a non-profit organization with the mission of revitalizing the Jamaica Plain neighborhood through a comprehensive strategy of community empowerment, economic development and affordable housing.  We believe that effective community development must be built on the active participation of residents in the projects that affect and shape their neighborhoods.  Founded in 1977, the JPNDC has created more than 400 new affordable homes, including some of the first low-income housing cooperatives in the region; renovated an abandoned brewery as a home and incubator for more than 40 small businesses; led the revitalization of New England's largest Latino business district; mobilized community members in campaigns that have resulted in new affordable housing funds and higher voting rates; and created innovative career ladders and family childcare programs that have become regional and national models.

 

Urban Edge is a non-profit, SOMWBA-certified community development organization that was founded in 1974 by Jamaica Plain community leaders.  Throughout its 30-year history, Urban Edge has focused on the development and preservation of affordable housing as well as property management.  Today, with over $100 million in real estate assets, Urban Edge is one of the strongest and most experienced CDCs in Boston, with a solid track record of success.  Currently Urban Edge manages over 1,200 homes and apartments located in 17 developments, and 65,000 square feet of space in six separate buildings housing commercial, retail, and service activities.  Urban Edge is governed by a board of directors who are residents of the neighborhoods it serves; nearly half of the board members reside in developments sponsored or managed by Urban Edge.  Urban Edge's work has contributed to the creation and preservation of affordable housing in the Egleston-Jackson-Hyde Square area, which now has fifty percent more affordable housing than the Boston citywide average.

 

Hyde Square Task Force is a community-based non-profit that has engaged youth and their families in the Hyde/Jackson Square community of Jamaica Plain and Roxbury for the past 15 years. The mission of the Task Force is to build the skills of youth and adult residents so that they are empowered to enhance their own lives and build a strong, vibrant urban community.  Currently, the Hyde Square Task Force serves over 700 children and 300 parents on a regular basis in several award-winning and nationally recognized youth development, after-school, literacy, cultural/arts, recreation, and community organizing programs for children, teens, and their parents. A recent edition of The Boston Educator stated the Task Force and our partnerships with local public schools “is fast becoming a model of the ways that a school and community can work together to improve the lives of everyone in the neighborhood.” In last year’s United Way of Massachusetts Bay promotion materials it was stated that Task Force is a “cutting edge” agency with “innovative after-school and youth development programs.”

Partners for Jackson - Housing Mix and Affordability

 

Exhibit 3.2

 

 

 

Overall Housing Program Summary

 

 

 

Flats

%

Townhouse

%

Total

%

 

 

Affordable

157

37%

99

23%

256

60%

0-80%

Moderate

29

6%

11

3%

40

9%

80-110%

Market

98

23%

36

8%

134

31%

110% +

Total

284

66%

146

34%

430

100%

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.3

 

 

Rental Housing Program Summary

 

Flats

% program

Townhouse

% of program

Total units

% rental program

Affordable

109

63%

64

37%

173

100%

Market

 

0%

 

0%

0

0%

Total

109

63%

64

37%

173

40%

 

 

Exhibit 3.4

 

 

Ownership Program Summary

 

 

 

Flats

%

Townhouse

%

Total

% of Total

 

 

Affordable

48

19%

35

14%

83

19%

60-80% of AMI

Moderate

29

11%

11

4%

40

3%

80-110%

Market

98

38%

36

14%

134

31%

110% +

Total

175

68%

82

32%

257

60%

 

 

 


Partners for Jackson development plan - bird's eye view from Southwest.  Bromley
Heath and MBTA Jackson Square stop is shown at lower left.  Academy Homes I is
at upper right.
Partners for Jackson development plan - View of Columbus Ave. inbound.

Partners for Jackson development plan - View of Columbus Ave. coming from
Roxbury Crossing.

Partners for Jackson development plan - View of Jackson Square from
Center Street with MBTA station shown at right.

Partners for Jackson development plan - Housing and ground floor retail
on Center Street viewed from the MBTA stations.