MassDOT Oakdale Street Parcel to Remain Community Garden; Four Parcels Sold

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Several parcels put up for public bidding by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) were recently purchased with affordable housing required as part of some of the purchases.

MassDOT held a public meeting in June 2017 to provide an overview of seven parcels and present a draft for proposal requests. After several public meetings to solicit feedback the bid guidelines and parcels were altered. MassDOT incorporated several revisions that the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council (JPNC) asked for, as well as from public feedback, according to an email to Jamaica Plain News from Carolyn Royce, chair of the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council Housing & Economic Development Committee.

The parcel at 8 Oakdale Street was not put up for bid and will remain a community garden said Royce, and four parcels ended up being sold.

The Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC) and Watermark purchased 71-77 Call Street for $1,356,789. That parcel is 4,123 sq. ft. and would allow 12 units on three lots. MassDOT required at least six units must be affordable at 80% of the area median income (AMI). The JPNDC is holding a community meeting with Boston's Department of Neighborhood Development on Dec. 14th at 6:30 pm at Curtis Hall to discuss their plans for the purchased land.

Hollymount, Inc. purchased two parcels: 97 Call Street for $300,00. The parcel is 3,432 sq. ft. and is zoned for a three-family home. But Hollymount would need to obtain the "necessary frontage" to make the lot buildable and the city owns the frontage land. Hollymount's other purchased parcel: 105-111 was purchased for $900,000. It is 8,443 sq. ft and a three-family house can be built as of right.

David and Tracy Steeves purchased a parcel at 24 Spalding Street for $355,000, which is 7,662 sq. ft. and MassDOT added a deed restriction limiting the use of the parcel to open space or affordable housing. The parcel is large enough to build a three-family home, said Royce, but a variance would be needed to build on the lot.

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