Affordable housing and commercial development are vital tools for revitalizing and growing strong communities.
Dorchester Bay leads the way in providing affordable housing and commercial space that allows residents to remain, grow, and thrive in Upham’s Corner. Please reach out to our Real Estate team with any questions.
Our Current Projects
Columbia Crossing
Columbia Crossing is a mixed-use, transit-oriented development proposed by Dorchester Bay and POAH for the former Dorchester Savings Bank site on Columbia Road. Selected through a competitive Request for Proposal issued by the landowner, Dudley Neighbors Incorporated, Columbia Crossing will rehabilitate the historic Dorchester Savings Bank building and replace an existing addition with a premier presentation space referred to as the Glow Box, for arts, culture, and other community-oriented commercial tenants, contributing to Upham’s Corner as an Arts & Innovation District anchored by the Strand Theatre (located across the street). The project will produce 48 new affordable rental units, including artist housing and associated arts amenity space. Columbia Crossing received Boston Planning & Development Agency approval in November 2022 and was awarded City funding in February 2023. Construction is expected to begin in 2025. Click here to learn more.
Dudley Miller Park / Our Tierra Livri
Dudley Neighbors Incorporated (DNI) and Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI) designated Dorchester Bay EDC and DVM Consulting Corp. as co-developers of the Dudley Miller Park/Our Tierra Livri parcel at 483-487 Dudley Street.
DBEDC and DVM have proposed a four-story mixed-use commercial/retail and multifamily housing development, with 18 new affordable homeownership condominium units and approximately 2,900 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. The units will be available for purchase by local, first-time homebuyers, facilitating the opportunity for intergenerational wealth building and stability for local residents. The commercial portion of the project will be developed in partnership with other community-based organizations as thought-partners. The commercial space will strengthen the identity of Dudley Corridor as a business district and create small business development opportunities for local entrepreneurs of color. Click here to learn more.
21-29 Fernboro Street
The Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) has recommended tentative designation of Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation, Caribbean Integration Community Development Inc., and Escazú Development LLC as co-developers of 12 brand-new homeownership units at 21-29 Fernboro Street in Dorchester.
The proposed development will revitalize five city-owned vacant parcels located at the intersection of Fernboro Street and Intervale Street in the vibrant Grove Hall neighborhood. The project will consist of two and three-bedroom housing units, aligning with the community’s expressed desire for family-friendly housing, as outlined in the City’s Request for Proposals. This transformative initiative aims to enhance the neighborhood’s residential landscape and meet the needs of residents seeking quality housing options.
Our Approach:
- We engage community members to envision and plan projects that complement the neighborhood and address local needs
- We actively pursue residential and commercial development to serve the dynamic and changing needs of our service area
- Partnering with our Small Business and Resident and Community Engagement teams, we engage local residents in the planning processes for affordable housing and commercial space for local businesses.
- We aim to stabilize neighborhood assets and create opportunities for affordable housing, wealth building, job creation and local economic development.
Since 1979 Dorchester Bay has built or preserved:
Over 1,200 units of affordable housing
Over 40,000 sq ft of commercial space
Mission-Oriented Hiring
Dorchester Bay’s development projects provide major business development and job creation opportunities, spurring investment and creating full-and-part-time jobs. Dorchester Bay works to leverage these opportunities to contract with and hire people from historically marginalized groups.
Working in conjunction with the City of Boston, the Massachusetts Minority Contractors Association, and the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations and its Boston membership, Dorchester Bay has been in the forefront of implementing higher standards for local, minority and female hiring in its development projects.
Our construction worker hiring goals for our projects are: 51% minority, 51% Boston residents, and 15% women. Additionally, we aim to spend 30% and 10% of our total development costs on Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (WBEs), respectively.
Sustainability
Dorchester Bay works to support climate justice and health equity in a community disproportionately impacted by climate change due to the legacy of racist land use practices. We are committed to innovative, sustainable housing practices, including utilizing electric heating and cooling systems, installing rooftop solar power systems, and incorporating Passive House standards in support of Boston’s resiliency, sustainability, and carbon neutral 2050 goals.
On the Map: DBEDC Real Estate Portfolio
“Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corp has been an outstanding partner on the Indigo Block development. Throughout our partnership since 2015, there is one constant theme that I’ve observed – the people in their organization are truly passionate about providing housing and economic development opportunities to the Dorchester community. The group brings a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and positive energy to these efforts. We are thrilled to be part of a team with Dorchester Bay.”
—Richard Mazzocchi, Boston Capital Development Managing Director
Our Team
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Susan ChuDirector of Real Estate -
Alex BobReal Estate Senior Project Manager
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Lanette JohnsonReal Estate Associate (OppCo Fellow)
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Briana KanReal Estate Project Manager
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Tim KardatzkeReal Estate Project Manager
Our Partners
