The town’s Preservation Commission is standing firm in its ruling that the Chabad Center at Chestnut Hill must wait a year before demolishing two houses it owns in South Brookline, where it plans to build a new synagogue. The decision came on Tuesday despite a warning from a town attorney that the delay could violate… Continue reading Preservation Commission stands by its decision to stall South Brookline synagogue project, as legal battle looms
Category: Development
New director takes the helm of Brookline Community Development Corporation
The Brookline Community Development Corporation, a local nonprofit aiming to build affordable housing and provide housing assistance to residents, has hired a new executive director. Giovanny Valencia, who has worked at the BCDC’s counterpart in Jamaica Plain for 10 years, will start the new position in the fall. The BCDC was founded in 1980 to… Continue reading New director takes the helm of Brookline Community Development Corporation
As a Jewish congregation grows in South Brookline, neighbors challenge plans for a new synagogue
A brewing development conflict on Bellingham Road has all the tension points that have become common in Brookline: Neighbors pushing back against a proposed new project, legal challenges and town boards and commissions deliberating as the town weighs its options. But there’s a new wrinkle to this familiar back-and-forth: It’s not a fight over condos… Continue reading As a Jewish congregation grows in South Brookline, neighbors challenge plans for a new synagogue
Developer pauses demolition on Coolidge Corner site after community outcry over asbestos
Demolition of a historic garage near Coolidge Corner has been paused until at least Monday after a barrage of criticism from neighbors and elected town officials, who alleged that developer Chestnut Hill Realty did not adequately inform abutters and the community about the risks from asbestos in the building. Work at the Waldo-Durgin site, two… Continue reading Developer pauses demolition on Coolidge Corner site after community outcry over asbestos
Art for the birds: Brookline’s turkey sculpture flock arrives
[metaslider id=36445] Five larger-than-life painted fiberglass turkeys are coming to a street corner near you. As part of a federally-funded, town-led project to create more public art, five artists unveiled the four-foot tall turkeys at a “Flock Party” last week, as a mascot in a turkey costume danced around outside the Marriott Courtyard in Coolidge… Continue reading Art for the birds: Brookline’s turkey sculpture flock arrives
Demolition begins at Waldo-Durgin site, paving way for major Coolidge Corner development
Dust clouded the air just north of Coolidge Corner in recent weeks, as demolition began on the site of two historic garages which will now become the center of a major new development. The Waldo-Durgin project, decades in the making, is moving forward, although it will likely be years before a new hotel and apartment… Continue reading Demolition begins at Waldo-Durgin site, paving way for major Coolidge Corner development
News in brief: Lottery for senior affordable housing, town seeks input on brand
Lottery for senior affordable housing units on Centre Street Hebrew SeniorLife, a senior healthcare and community living nonprofit, announced that it will be holding a lottery for 54 affordable units at its new development at 108 Centre Street in Brookline, which is expected to open this winter. Applicants or a member of their household must… Continue reading News in brief: Lottery for senior affordable housing, town seeks input on brand
Developer withdraws plans for Harvard Street apartment building, will aim for smaller project
The developer behind a controversial proposal to build an apartment building on Harvard Street has withdrawn his plans and will pursue a smaller building instead. Town officials and neighbors were frustrated by Oak Hill Properties’ original proposal, which called for a six-story, 40-unit building at 429 Harvard Street, the site of a shuttered Citizens’ Bank.… Continue reading Developer withdraws plans for Harvard Street apartment building, will aim for smaller project
A dreary stretch of Route 9 could help shape Brookline’s financial future
On a sunny Saturday morning in May, about 35 Brookline residents gathered in a parking lot off Route 9 in Chestnut Hill. As they walked around a half-mile stretch of land dominated by a partially vacant office building and parking lots, town officials and a consultant carrying clipboards scribbled notes about the neighbors’ concerns, ideas… Continue reading A dreary stretch of Route 9 could help shape Brookline’s financial future
News in brief: Town seeking feedback on Chestnut Hill commercial development, new public health council member
Chestnut Hill study committee seeks community feedback As a town study committee begins to explore opportunities for new commercial development along a stretch of Route 9 in Chestnut Hill, it is seeking feedback from the community. The committee is inviting the public to learn more and share comments at these upcoming events: A virtual community… Continue reading News in brief: Town seeking feedback on Chestnut Hill commercial development, new public health council member
Brookline Community Foundation sells its Webster Place office to real estate developer
The Brookline Community Foundation has sold its building at 40 Webster Place to a real estate developer. The $5.45 million sale recorded in the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds marks a major change for the prominent local nonprofit organization whose grants, according to its website, focus on supporting “local nonprofits, town agencies, and community efforts… Continue reading Brookline Community Foundation sells its Webster Place office to real estate developer
Chamber of Commerce searching for new leader again as businesses struggle with economic uncertainty
The Brookline Chamber of Commerce is searching for a new leader, as businesses in town face a challenging adjustment to the post-pandemic economic reality. The chamber’s executive director Lisa Leger departed in late December, just nine months after starting the job. It was a “mutual decision” between Leger and the board, according to David Gladstone,… Continue reading Chamber of Commerce searching for new leader again as businesses struggle with economic uncertainty
Project Pop-Up aims to help small businesses try out a storefront
Three small business owners celebrated the opening of a new pop-up storefront on Monday, part of a town program giving businesses the opportunity to temporarily test out their companies and products in the community. Project Pop-Up Brookline opened on Monday at 440 Harvard St. in the JFK Crossing neighborhood. The shop will welcome small businesses… Continue reading Project Pop-Up aims to help small businesses try out a storefront
Developer planning 96-unit apartment building on Hammond Street
A real estate developer is making plans to build a five-and-a-half story apartment building with nearly 100 rental units on Hammond Street just south of Route 9. Developer Elias Patoucheas of Charles River Realty has submitted plans to the town to develop property that he owns with a business partner between Heath and Sheafe Streets… Continue reading Developer planning 96-unit apartment building on Hammond Street
Brookline weighs its housing future as zoning law deadline approaches
Brookline is scrambling to meet the requirements of a state zoning law that could shape the town’s housing landscape and character for decades to come. The MBTA Communities law requires zoning changes meant to incentivize more multifamily housing near public transportation in hundreds of towns and cities across Massachusetts. In Brookline, two distinct paths with… Continue reading Brookline weighs its housing future as zoning law deadline approaches