Norian/Siani Engineering is proud to support the renovation of Pocasset Manor, a vital affordable housing community serving seniors and people with disabilities in Providence. We're honored to work alongside POAH and other dedicated partners to help modernize and preserve these 82 homes for future generations.
Updated: Oct 8
Boston Housing Authority Celebrates the Start of Construction for the Comprehensive Modernization at St. Botolph Apartments in Back BayThe project will provide substantial renovations and efficiency improvements for 132 units of subsidized housing while preserving public ownership |
BOSTON, MA – The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) today announced the start of construction for the long-planned modernization of St. Botolph Apartments, a 132-unit public housing community in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood serving seniors and non-elderly residents with disabilities. St. Botolph Apartments is a 52-year-old, elevator-equipped building on a half-acre lot bounded by Garrison Street, Follen Street, Studio Place, and St. Botolph Street. The project will address significant capital needs for the eight-story building, enhance accessibility, improve energy efficiency, provide air conditioning to every apartment, and ensure the long-term affordability of the property through a conversion from the federal public housing program to the Section 8 program, all while retaining BHA ownership. “As we reinvest in BHA communities, we are reasserting our role as a public owner and steward of affordable housing here in Boston,” said BHA Administrator Kenzie Bok. “The St. Botolph modernization is a win for residents and workers, employing high labor standards to deliver healthier, greener homes in the Back Bay, and it serves as an example of how housing authorities can update aging buildings while maintaining public ownership and permanent affordability.” This will be the first project implemented as part of BHA’s Generations program, which is a long-term initiative to fully upgrade all 3,000+ elderly-disabled public housing units in the BHA portfolio while maintaining public ownership. The project will convert all 132 federal elderly/disabled public housing units into units permanently subsidized through the Federal Project-Based Voucher program, which will retain the building’s affordability while ensuring more robust funding for ongoing maintenance and capital upkeep. This project is also the latest BHA effort towards reaching Mayor Michelle Wu’s goal of achieving fossil fuel-free public housing by 2030.The renovation of St. Botolph Apartments is being financed by the City of Boston, the BHA, and MassHousing, with support from the AFL CIO Housing Investment Trust (AFL-CIO HIT). “MassHousing is pleased to partner with the BHA on this transformative project that will completely renovate and revitalize this important public housing resource for the residents of the St. Botolph Apartments,” said MassHousing CEO Chrystal Kornegay. “The substantial rehabilitation of the St. Botolph Apartments is another example of how the BHA is taking the lead to restore and revitalize the homes in which their residents live,” said Chang Suh, CEO & Chief Investment Officer for AFL-CIO HIT. “HIT is proud to partner with the BHA because we know they are committed to generating long lasting, inclusive positive impact – one unit and one union job at a time.” Every unit will receive new upgraded kitchens and bathrooms with careful attention to the principles of Universal Design. The upgrades will include a state-of-the-art electric heating and cooling system with energy-efficient windows, and the building’s gas hot water system will be replaced with electric heat-pump hot water supplemented by solar thermal technology. The new heat pumps will provide in-unit cooling during hot weather for the first time. Common areas will be completely modernized with a new entrance lobby, reception desk and visitor lounge, new mailboxes and a secure package room, accessible common bathrooms, and an expanded community room with shared kitchen, a lending library, a vending niche, and a new technology center. There will also be an expanded laundry room with new equipment, a renovated eighth-floor balcony, updated signage for improved wayfinding, new hallway finishes, and new private offices for management, resident task force, and general use. The building will receive new HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems, upgraded sprinklers and fire protection, repairs to the building envelope, masonry, and roof replacement. There will also be significant accessibility upgrades, including ADA-compliant ramps and a new wheelchair lift, renovated entrances, and improved stormwater management at the parking lot level. In response to resident feedback, the project will also include a significant overhaul of the outdoor patio, with a new walking path, gardening space, game tables and a permanent grill area. About the Boston Housing Authority Boston Housing Authority provides quality affordable housing for low-income families and individuals through the public housing and Section 8 rental assistance programs. BHA fosters vital communities that are essential to Boston’s economic diversity and way of life. As the largest housing provider in Boston, BHA brings stability, opportunity, and peace of mind not only to the thousands of low-income families it supports, but to the city as a whole. Learn more at www.bostonhousing.org. |