Massport Designates Developer to Build Affordable Housing in the South Boston Waterfront

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) Board of Directors today voted to designate Boston-based The Community Builders (TCB) and their team to develop the first mixed-income residential development project in the South Boston Waterfront. TCB has nearly 60 years of experience building housing.

This project will provide 200 rental units in a 100% affordable project. The proposed unit mix contains 90 two-bedroom units and 25 three-bedroom units ideal for families. The project’s income levels range from 30% Area Median Income (AMI) to 120% AMI, which will allow for workforce housing. 

Creating more housing is a shared priority for Governor Maura Healey, Boston Mayor Michele Wu, and business leaders. Massport understands the urgency of the need and with this project, will contribute to addressing it.

“The development of this site marks a significant step forward as we look to find creative solutions to increase housing opportunities here in Massachusetts,” said Ed Augustus, Secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities. “This South Boston parcel is consistent with the Healey-Driscoll Administration's commitment to exploring innovative ways to build much-needed housing on land owned by the state and quasi agencies that ultimately will enable families to both live and work in the city.”

The project consists of a 15-story building totaling 224,000 square feet. D Street will be activated with 15,000 square feet of community retail space and a childcare facility. The project is conveniently located near two MBTA Silver Line stations. The building will be all-electric, including the use of solar shading devices and solar photovoltaic panels on the roof. The overall design will be highly sustainable and pursue Passive House and LEED Gold design standards.

“This project helps the Authority contribute to solving the existing housing crisis in Boston, and creating a mix of housing opportunities is important to our Board as the district evolves on the South Boston Waterfront,” said Massport Board Chair Patricia Jacobs.

“Building more housing is critical to the Commonwealth’s economy so we are excited about this important project that will bring affordable family and workforce housing to the South Boston Waterfront,” said Massport CEO Lisa Wieland. “The Community Builder’s proposal led in all four selection criteria and we were impressed by their vast experience in building mixed-income communities.”

The RFP for this project had four equally weighted selection criteria:

• Ability to execute;
• Levels of affordability;
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion;
• Design and programming

The project team led by TCB represents a very strong and comprehensive commitment to DEI:

• Development
  • The Community Builders 50%, a Boston non-profit founded in 1964
    • Sinclair Real Estate Group, an emerging Boston MBE
  • The Menkiti Group 50%, an MBE founded in 2004 in Washington, D.C. and recently expanded to Worcester, MA
    • Ionic Development Company an emerging Boston WBE
• Design
  • Design Icon Architecture (WBE)  
  • KMDG for Landscape (WBE)
• Construction
  • Construction 50/50 Joint Venture between Smoot Construction (MBE), of Ohio, and Consigli in Boston
• Operations/Property Management
  • Building Management by TCB a leading affordable housing provider

Over the past two decades, Massport has successfully partnered with numerous private developers to complete nearly 7 million square feet of commercial and residential real estate projects, including over 3 million square feet of office space, 2,200 hotel rooms, approximately 1,800 residential apartments, and retail/restaurant venues such as Liberty Wharf. These projects have been developed under long-term ground leases, the revenues from which Massport uses predominantly to invest in the Port of Boston infrastructure.

View Massport Parcel D-4 >>