It's not just what's happening at the old Ferdinand Building in Dudley Square. Nor the 1 million-square-foot Tremont Crossing. (Though either by themselves reeks of game-change-ism.) Two other developments nearby, at Shawmut Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard, have gotten the green light from the city and are moving forward. As The Globe's Casey Ross notes, it's all part of a grand plan (or happy accident) to transform that part of Roxbury.
The first development, on a so-called Parcel 9 (the city's other Parcel 9) will include a 150-room hotel; a two-story commercial and community building; a five-story residential and retail structure; 52 homes, with eight designated as affordable; and maybe, just maybe, a restaurant or music club. The second development, on Parcel 10, just across Melnea Cass, will include a much larger Tropical Foods than the store next-door, which itself will be transformed into a retail and residential complex with 66 homes. Construction on both is expected to start by spring 2014.
Sayeth Hizzoner: "There’s a chemistry going on in Dudley and I think it’s long overdue."
· Two Projects to Revitalize Roxbury Boulevard [Globe]
· Roxbury's $300M Tremont Crossing; Biolab Still Bugs South End [Curbed Boston]
· City Breaks Ground on Expectations for Dudley Square [Curbed Boston]
· No. 9, No. 9: First Two Proposals for Greenway Parcel [Curbed Boston]