The City of Boston has tentatively designated the development team to rebuild the West End Branch of the Boston Public Library and create 119 new units of income-restricted housing.
Mayor Michelle Wu, the Mayor’s Office of Housing, and the Boston Public Library (BPL) announced that the City of Boston’s Public Facilities Commission has tentatively designated the development team of Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH) and Caste Capital to redevelop the West End branch of the Boston Public Library on Cambridge Street. The renovation will include a new two-story branch library and 119 income-restricted units of housing above the library through the Housing with Public Assets initiative, an innovative new program designed to maximize the use of municipal properties for the public good.
“The Mayor’s Office of Housing is very appreciative of both the Beacon Hill and West End communities. They were supportive of combining housing with a new branch library and have played an active role in shaping the RFP and associated design criteria,” said Chief Sheila Dillon. “The response to the RFP was significant, with many talented development teams submitting high-quality proposals. We look forward to working with POAH, Caste Capital, and the community to shape this development proposal.”
The chosen development team was designated by the Public Facilities Commission for their experience in sustainable and community-centric development projects. The proposed project involves transforming the parcel into a mixed-use development with 119 transit-oriented, income-restricted apartments above the library space, along with open space and amenities for library visitors, building residents, and the public. The goal of the project is not only to expand the library’s size and offerings, but also to address the growing demand to create more income-restricted housing. The development team will prioritize community input, including the needs and preferences of residents, to create an inclusive environment for all. The new building will be all-electric and designed to minimize the carbon footprint of both the housing and library, in alignment with the City of Boston’s climate goals and commitment to sustainability.
“POAH has been invested in the West End since 2012 when we acquired The Blackstone Apartments, a key senior affordable housing resource in a rapidly developing neighborhood,” said Aaron Gornstein, President and CEO of Preservation of Affordable Housing (POAH). “We are excited to further expand access to affordable housing in a neighborhood of opportunity that once housed generations of diverse, lower-income Bostonians. The new development at 151 Cambridge Street will be a community resource, underpinned by a re-envisioned library and a sustainable, intergenerational affordable housing community.”
