Roslindale Substation: Waiting for a Developer

Roslindale Transcript
May 7, 2008
By Jessica Smith

Roslindale - The Roslindale Substation has been vacant since before many current residents were born, but now the Boston Redevelopment Authority is ready to change that. They just have to find a tenant.

Meeting with a roomful of those familiar with the blighted building at 4228 Washington St., the city agency responsible for overseeing the process presented its draft Request for Proposals, or RFP.

The RFP, created by the BRA, has already been shared with numerous neighborhood groups. It will serve as a guide for prospective developers as they bid for the right to develop the property. In other words, it represents the standards that the BRA has set for development.

Marie Mecurio, a senior planner for the BRA who works on Roslindale, emphasized to residents that the building is not slated to be torn down.

“Our goal is to preserve the building. This is not a demolition,” said Mecurio, who added that a preferred use of the more than 6,000-square-foot structure would be active or commercial retail space on the ground floor.

While the floor is a single story, the BRA’s Fran Collins added that a second floor could be added within the building, but that nothing would be done that would increase the height of the structure.

According to Mecurio, the BRA would like to see whatever goes in the building to increase foot traffic in Roslindale, generate long-term jobs and contribute to Roslindale’s growth.

She also said that the BRA would support a green building, and mentioned the possibility of the renovated structure including housing for various income levels.

The existing windows, some of which are boarded up, will be restored. This, according to the BRA, means that the mural painted on the building will be removed.
In addition to waiting for a developer, the building is also waiting to hear if it will be added to the National Register of Historic Places. Should that occur, the BRA is prepared to incorporate any restrictions that would come with the honor.

Jessica Smith can be reached at jsmith@cnc.com.