City officials are working on a plan to redevelop Mattapan, beautify its main square, attract more businesses and add housing. And they're hoping to do all this without displacing the neighborhood's existing residents, who are mostly people of color.
A row of single story shops on Blue Hill Avenue. Planners suggest raising one and two story commercial buildings by adding residential units above them, to increase population density.
“We're kind of one of the last neighborhoods that hasn't really seen a whole lot of development,” said lifelong Mattapan resident Kenya Beaman, who does outreach for the Boston Planning and Development Agency. “We're starting to see it now, which is a bit overwhelming for residents.”As gentrification and rising real estate prices have driven out many people across the city, Mattapan remained one of the few places where Black families could find affordable places to live.
“It's a real chance to sort of grow in a way that respects the history and past and supports the people who've been here, but also potentially invites new people to take a look," he said.A key part of the plan would help existing homeowners increase their property values by allowing them to convert basements, attics, garages and other structures into living spaces without special zoning approval.
“Having it focused in a neighborhood where there’s strong existing Black homeownership, increasing the value of that homeownership is definitely something that helps us advance equity in the city,” Jemison said.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
San Diego City Council votes to end COVID-19 emergency, city employee vaccine mandateThe San Diego City Council Tuesday voted to end the city's COVID-19 emergency declaration and a city employee vaccine mandate at the end of February.
Read more »
City of San Diego Considers Changes to Controversial Towing ProgramCity loses $1.5 million a year towing and auctioning vehicles, according to a city councilman.
Read more »
League City’s newest dog park will open this weekendLeague City is opening a dog park Saturday at Hometown Heroes Park, 1001 E. League City...
Read more »
'No stopping us': Salt Lake mayor outlines bright future, unveils $100M Ballpark fundSalt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall argues in her State of the City address Tuesday that the city's decisions over the next five years may impact the city a century from now.
Read more »
Wu set to give her first State of the City addressWu is expected to re-cap the accomplishments of her first full year in office, and outline future policy proposals like rent control.
Read more »
Extra Extra: Some city workers who got fired for refusing the COVID vaccine are getting reinstatedBecause a judge has reinstated more than a dozen anti-Vaxxers, here are your end-of-day links: Empire State Building's new uniforms, beloved Italian bear has died, Panic! at the Disco is over and more.
Read more »