Today we are all in on Allston — we’re diving into some major developments planned for the neighborhood nestled in between Cambridge, Brighton + Boston University’s campus.
Last month, Allston residents and Harvard Universitycame to an agreement about this development, which had been in the works since 2005. The new campus will be located in Lower Allston, near the Harvard Business School.
Harvard owns more land in Allston than in Cambridge. | Rendering by Tishman Speyer via BPDA
The campus will be a whopping 900,000 sqft in total, which is just under the size of three Fenway Parks. Plans include retail, residential, office + lab space, as well as a hotel, conference center, and restaurant. Plus, there will be more than two acres of public open space.
The City of Boston committed to keeping one quarter of the units income-restricted + Harvard pledged $25 million for a housing stabilization fund. Full-scale construction should be underway in 2023.
This week, $585 million in construction fundingwas secured for this joint project with King Street Properties, Brookfield Asset Management, and Mugar Enterprises.
The development will span more than four acres across Western Avenue (closer to Brighton’s Charles River Speedway). We can expect 530,000 sqft of lab space, 20,000 sqft of retail space, and 35 residential units, where one quarter will also be income-restricted. This project is expected to wrap up in 2024.
The lab project will move into Allston’s “innovation corridor.” | Rendering by Epsilon Associates via BPDA
The $1 billion project by MassDOT aims to replace the current tangle of highway ramps with a brand new street grid, which will pave the way for Harvard’s development plans.
The opportunity to reconstruct a highway doesn’t come around often — once in a century,to be exact — and has the potential to greatly improve the neighborhood’s connection to surrounding parks. This plan is currently in the environmental permitting process.
On top of these upcoming projects, the Allston Yards development is currently under construction at 60 Everett St. This project will create a new neighborhood at the intersection of Allston, Brighton + Boston Landing.
Share this story with Allston residents to let them know what’s planned for their community.
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Barry Manilow | Thurs., Aug 4 | 7:30 p.m. | TD Garden | $20+ | See the “Copacabana” and “Could It Be Magic” singer-songwriter on his 2022 tour. 🎤
Friday
Tonino Pop-Up | Fri., Aug. 5 | 5-9 p.m. | The Koji Club, 525 Western Ave., Brighton | Price of purchase | The upcoming Italian restaurant is serving handmade pastas + Sicilian-style pizzas at the sake bar.
Goat of Summer | Fri., Aug. 5 | 7-8 p.m. | curds&co, 288 Washington St., Brookline | $65 | Celebrate all things goat as we explore the surprisingly diverse world of goat cheese.
Sh!t-Faced Shakespeare + Dirty Disney | Fri., Aug. 5-Sat., Aug. 6 | 7:30-11:30 p.m. | Improv Asylum, 216 Hanover St. | $35 | Improv Asylum presents two new shows for one weekend only. 🎭 *
Saturday
Walking Tour of Woodbourne | Sat., Aug 6 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Bethel AME Church, 38 Walk Hill St. | Free | Explore + learn about the history of this hidden part of Jamaica Plain. 👟
Sunday
Boston Seafood Festival | Sun., Aug 7 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Boston Fish Pier | $20 | Celebrate all things seafood with live demonstrations, oyster shucking contest, fish cutting, and live entertainment.
Drag Queen Story Hour | Sun., Aug 7 | 2-3 p.m. | The Paseo, 111 Harbor Way | Free | Join Patty Bourrée + Seaport for Drag Queen Story Hour June every other Sunday.
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
It’s time to rework your commuting plans, Orange Line riders. The MBTA is shutting down the entire line for 30 days from Fri., Aug. 19-Sun., Sept. 18 to make critical repairs.
This is the first time the agency has closed down a full subway line for this length of time.
The Orange Line accounts for the most weekday trips of any T line. | Image via MBTA
MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak said that the diversion is the most efficient way to complete the necessary track + maintenance work. The shutdown will help crews focus on replacing track in areas with speed restrictions and slow zones.
Don’t worry, there will still be ways to get around during the closure. A $37 million contract with A Yankee Line will help provide 200 shuttle buses, 160 of which will run at peak hours.
Let us know how you’re planning to get around during this shutdown — whether you’ll be driving, walking, or catching the shuttle.
NEWS NOTES
Weather
96º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain
There is another heat emergency in effect today through Sun., Aug. 7. Check out five ways to keep cool in the city here. ☀️
Eat
Tiffani Faison’s Fool’s Errandhas reopened in Fenway. The adult snack bar now has bar and table seating — visit at 1377 Boylston St. to try European-inspired cocktails + bites like summer crudité and a chocolate olive oil mousse. (Boston.com)
Arts
Speaking of Allston, there’s a new mural to check out in the neighborhood. The Back Against The Wall installation at the old Post Office on Harvard Avenue was created by Rob Gibbs (who made the Dewey Square mural), Jeremy Sobek, Jason Talbot + other local artists as part of the “Flava Unit.” 🎨
Development
Center Court Mass proposed a 1.56 million sqft development for part of Dorchester’sMorrissey Boulevard. The plans include retail space, four lab buildings + three residential buildings (with ~585 units) next to JFK-UMass Station. (Boston Business Journal)
Biz
The federal government will invest$23 million into workforce development in the Boston area under the American Rescue Plan grant program. The aim is to place residents in higher paying jobs + spark new job growth in industries like healthcare, clean energy, and childcare. 💰 (Boston Globe)
Outdoors
The City of Cambridgeis asking community members to assist with maintaining the urban forest after recent heat waves + the current drought. Residents can help out by watering nearby trees and reporting trees in distress to the Department of Public Works through SeeClickFix. 🌳
Number
6 ft. That’s how much the water level of the Charles River has dropped in Millennium Park. The Boston area is downapproximately nine inches below normal rainfall + residents are encouraged to conserve water according to state guidelines during critical drought conditions. (NBC 10)
Health
We’re not only wicked smaht — we’re wicked healthy too. The Bay State has been named the healthiest state in the country for the second year in a row, earning high scores in terms of providing healthcare access + housing and transportation. (Boston.com)
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Editor’s pick:One of my favorite ways to spend a weekend night is to catch a show at Improv Asylum in the North End. This weekend, the comedy club is serving up two show specials — Sh!t-faced Shakespeare + Dirty Disney.
Having seen the former at The Rockwell, I can confirm you’ll nearly spit out your drink from laughing so much.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Learn about the new voting precincts ahead of Election Day next month.
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