Economic Development

The BRA guides the real estate development review process in accordance with the principles set out in Article 80 of the Boston Zoning Code (see A Citizen's Guide to Development Review). This includes facilitating the evaluation of design, density, use, and physical and social impacts of a proposed project in conjunction with City agencies and the impacted community. More information is available in the Development Review Guidelines.

In accordance with Article 80 of the Boston Zoning Code, the BRA reviews development proposals through four types of review procedures. More information about all four is available in A Citizen's Guide to Development Review.

You can download the Article 80 Project Information Form. It is a fillable Adobe PDF file that the BRA will require developers to fill out and submit as a part of the review process.

Large Project Review

Large Project Review applies to projects that add at least 50,000-sq. ft. of gross floor area, whether by new construction or by an addition to an existing building. It also applies to smaller projects in areas near Boston Harbor and to larger projects that involve a change of use without significant new construction. Depending on the project's size, location and use, the review may address the project impacts in a variety of areas, including traffic and parking, environmental protection (wind, shadow, noise, etc.), the design character of the area, historical buildings, and infrastructure systems (water, sewer, electricity, etc.). Depending upon the project's impacts, the BRA may require the developer to change the project's design or to take other measures to reduce (or "mitigate") those impacts.

Small Project Review

Most commonly, Small Project Review consists of BRA design review, where required by the Zoning Code or by the Board of Appeal. The design component applies to projects that add at least 20,000-sq. ft. of gross floor area or at least 15 dwelling units. In addition, if the zoning for the project's location requires site plan review, the Urban Design Department will review the site plan through Small Project Review. Finally, Small Project Review supplies the procedure for the approval of comprehensive sign designs.

Planned Development Area Review

A Planned Development Area (PDA) is an overlay district that establishes special zoning controls for large or complex projects. These zoning controls are specified in the Development Plan for each PDA.

Institutional Master Plan Review

An Institutional Master Plan (IMP) provides zoning controls for large institutional landowners such as hospitals or universities.

Projects described in PDA Development Plans and IMPs are also subject to Large Project Review or Small Project Review, depending upon their size, location, and use.

The specific regulations for all four types of review appear in Article 80 of the Boston Zoning Code.

A new component of development review includez the establishment of an Impact Advisory Group (IAG) for projects undergoing Large Project Review. Members of IAGs are asked to consider appropriate mitigation for the physical and social impacts caused by development projects. The IAG process is an overlay to the existing process and is designed to work cooperatively with public review procedures. Click here for more information on IAGs.

For additional information, contact:

Heather Campisano
Deputy Director for Development Review

(617)918-4404

The BRA's Economic Development division includez a Community Development and Housing department, which focuses on housing production measures citywide and strategic investment of resources to catalyze development in under-served areas.

Leading the Way - the BRA Meets the Mayor's Housing Initiative: After successfully completing the three-year initiative, the BRA is continuing to work with other City agencies on carrying out the Mayor's housing priorities for the next few years. The BRA will focus on new opportunities including institutional housing, transit-oriented development, regional and downtown housing, employer assisted housing, as well as City planning initiatives, green technologies and the strategic utilization of public resources.

Fostering Transit Oriented Housing Program: In an effort to promote "smart growth" in the City and take advantage of the Boston's urban transit system, the BRA is actively encouraging new and denser commercial and residential development in and near public transportation stations.

Institutional Housing: Institutions in Boston agree that housing is their biggest challenge. During the Leading the Way initiative, 11 new dormitories were permitted, along with one rehab, totaling 3,327 new dorm beds for Boston's students. The BRA continues to work with the institutions on planning initiatives and other development processes to help alleviate their housing needs. Click here for access to publications on dormitory housing.

Artist Live Work Space Initiative: The City has a need to create housing of all types, including housing for those with special needs, such as artists. For more information, see the Artist Space Initiative .

Housing on Main Streets: Working in partnership with the Boston Main Streets Program and focusing on the city's neighborhood commercial districts, Housing on Main Streets assists local communities in growing their commercial cores. The BRA provides development and planning assistance promoting multi-story and mixed-use development to increase area housing opportunities, housing choice and to enliven neighborhood commercial districts.

BRA Vacant Land Disposition Program: This initiative focuses on selling or leasing BRA-owned land to promote economic development and meet public policy objectives such as the creation of affordable housing, the development of growth industries and the encouragement of land use polices such as brownfields redevelopment and green building initiatives.

Affordable Housing: The BRA aims to alleviate the impacts of market rate housing on the supply and cost of housing for low and moderate income households. Using public land and, with the help of the City of Boston, developers, funding sources such as the Neighborhood Housing Trust, and relief from regulation, housing is made affordable to all incomes, ages, and households by reducing the rent or purchase price to below market values, thus reducing monthly rent and mortgage payments and requiring lower down payments. Click here for access to the BRA's Affordable Housing page.

For affordable housing selection process information, contact:

Andrea Laing

(617)918-4373

For housing policy information, contact:

Geoff Lewis

(617)918-4297

For housing development project information, contact:

Heather Campisano

(617)918-4404

Hospital and degree granting educational institutions are required by the Boston Zoning Code to have an approved Institutional Master Plan before they can undertake construction of new significant buildings or facilities. An Institutional Master Plan describes the size, location and uses of each facility to be developed by the institution during the 5-10 year period of the master plan. Through the Institutional Master Plan, institutions are required to thoughtfully plan its future development to insure not only that impacts on its host neighborhoods are mitigated, but also that public benefits are enhanced.

Institutional Master Plans are prepared through a public process, which is managed by the Boston Redevelopment Authority and defined by Article 80 of the Boston Zoning Code. The BRA seeks substantial participation in the public process by area residents and interested parties. In many instances, the City has organized standing citizen task forces to work with the BRA and the institutions on an on-going basis to plan and implement an Institutional Master Plan and to strengthen the relationship between community and institution. In recent years, Institutional Master Plans have been approved for Harvard University, Northeastern University, Emmanuel College and Wentworth Institute of Technology.

For additional information, contact:

Sonal Gandhi
Senior Project Manager

(617)918-6220

Through the Economic Development Industrial Corporation, the agency provides various important tools and services to support the needs of entrepreneurs, industrial services and workforce development. These include low-cost space for industrial purposes and financial resources to assist businesses with start-up or expansion.

The Marine Industrial Park is the largest industrial park in Massachusetts. Located on Boston's waterfront, the 191 acre site was purchased by the City of Boston in 1977 to create jobs and economic activity that enhances the City's economy and provides employment for City residents. Today, over 3500 jobs are based in the park. The space is home to a wide variety of marine-related, industrial and light industrial businesses. The availability of low-cost industrial buildings and unique maritime infrastructure enabled the Marine Industrial Park to be used for many new and expanding businesses. Of the 3.1 million square feet of building area, approximately 95% are occupied. For more information about the Marine Industrial Park, click here.

Some of the companies that are working at the Marine Industrial Park are:

For additional information, contact:

Dennis Davis
Deputy Director for Industrial Development & Commercial Leasing

(617)918-6220

The Boston Local Development Corporation (BLDC) is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit Corporation administered by staff of the Boston Redevelopment Authority of the City of Boston.

The BLDC provides loans of up to $150,000 for businesses in, or relocating to, the City of Boston. These loans can be used when buying a new business property, purchasing equipment and machinery, constructing an addition to an existing plant, making leasehold improvements or providing working capital to grow your business.

The BLDC actively pursues loan participations with local banks. By providing subordinated debt, the BLDC helps small businesses and Boston's banking community come together.

The BLDC also administers the Back Streets Back-up Loan Program. In recognition of the need to preserve commercial, industrial and manufacturing businesses in the City of Boston, Mayor Menino has established the BackStreets Program. As a prime component of this strategy, the Mayor has appropriated $1,000,000 in funding for this loan program. These loans are only available for companies in the industrial and manufacturing sectors and have flexible terms and conditions based on need.

Between 1998 and 2002, the BLDC approved over $4,000,000 in loans to Boston businesses. These funds have leveraged more than $8,500,000 in bank financing; and created or retained over 1,000 jobs.

The BLDC is proud of the fact that over half of the businesses assisted are woman and/or minority owned.

For additional information, contact:

William P. Nickerson
Senior Finance Manager

(617)918-6262

In 1971, BIDFA was created under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40D. In 1972 it was constituted as a board of the city and began its work as an affiliate of the Economic Development and Industrial Corporation of Boston (EDIC), a division of the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA). BIDFA promotes economic growth and increased employment in the City of Boston by issuing bonds that finance the capital needs of the city's businesses and institutions. The credit of the borrower, and not that of the City of Boston, BIDFA, or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is pledged to repay the bonds.

The types of bonds available to businesses and institutions are:

Tax-exempt bonds for non-profit institutions are available to qualified educational, healthcare and cultural institutions that have 501(c) (3) status. Bond proceeds may be applied to construction and renovation projects, such as research and development facilities, medical diagnostic imaging facilities, museums, continuing care facilities, nursing or convalescent homes, academic facilities, and other institutional uses. These projects are not subject to the state volume cap on tax-exempt financing.

Tax-exempt industrial development bonds (IDB's) are issued to acquire land and construct new facilities, expand/renovate existing facilities or purchase new equipment. These bonds are subject to the statewide volume cap. Projects eligible for tax-exempt financing are manufacturing facilities that create tangible products, cogeneration or small power facilities for the local furnishing of energy or gas and solid waste/resource recovery facilities. These projects often have a strong job creation/retention component

Tax-exempt enterprise zone facility bonds (EZ Bonds) are a new type of tax-exempt private activity bond that can be used by a qualified business to finance the cost of commercial, retail or similar facility used by the borrower. The borrower must be an "Enterprise Zone" business, and 95% of the proceeds from the bond issue must be used to finance "qualified zone property."

Taxable Bonds are issued for industrial and commercial enterprises and for institutional projects not used by 501 (c) (3) organizations. The interest on these bonds is not exempt from federal taxes. There is no size limit and the volume cap restriction does not apply.

All of the above mentioned bonds may be sold in the public credit markets or privately placed.

For additional information, contact:

Frank Tocci
Deputy Director for Financial Services

(617)918-6261

ONEin3 Boston is an initiative born of the desire to reach Boston's young adult population. Because Boston's young adults, those between the ages of 20 and 34, make up roughly one third of Boston's population, their needs are necessarily important to the success of the City as a whole. ONEin3 Boston facilitates communication between these young community members and the City of Boston to make government more responsive to their problems and suggestions. This initiative is developing programs in areas ranging from economic investment, housing and jobs, to cultural and civic engagement in the city. To learn more about the events, services and resources that ONEin3 helps make available, please visit Onein3's website at www.onein3boston.org.

The biotech industry holds incredible promise for the economic health of the City of Boston. LifeTech Boston is the Boston Redevelopment Authority's initiative to help guide biotechnology toward Boston's rich resources in education, medicine and manufacturing. In 2004, LifeTech oversaw unprecedented success in the biotech sector. Scientists moved into the newly constructed Merck Research Lab in the Longwood Medical Area, Immunetics began its manufacturing operation in the Marine Industrial Park on the South Boston Waterfront and the Blackfan Research Center received BRA board approval. LifeTech's focuses are permitting, financing, training, and transportation, all of which represent hurdles as firms grow and develop. Companies can qualify for low-interest loans that feature interest buy-downs assistance by way of grants. To learn more about what LifeTech can offer the biotech community, please visit our website at www.lifetechboston.com.

Boston's Backstreets initiative is a reflection of the City's commitment to its many small and medium-size industrial and commercial businesses. Backstreets has set a goal of preserving all industrial land in Boston so that these businesses will have space to call their own. The initiative also seeks to support the business community with workforce training, networking, providing site finding and other assistance to new businesses, and upgrading critical infrastructure. Backstreets offers a wide array of resources for companies looking to locate in Boston's industrial zones, including low-cost, tax exempt bond financing and the Backstreets tool box. For more information, please check out the Backstreets website at www.bostonbackstreets.org.

The Boston Retail Market initiative is focused on maintaining and enhancing retail activity in the City of Boston. With Main Streets designations and other tools, Retail helps bring business into downtown and the City's many neighborhood centers. This kind of retail activity is beneficial to the City as a whole, and improves the lives of residents everywhere, providing thousands of jobs and the convenience and pleasure of having stores, restaurants and entertainment right at Bostonians' fingertips. If you are looking to open a store or are interested in learning more about the retail market in Boston, please visit our website at www.bostonretailmarket.com

The City of Boston recognizes the economic, social and cultural impact of the creative economy on the overall health of our city, and gives significant emphasis to creative industries as part of its economic development strategy. In May 2005, Mayor Menino launched the CREATE BOSTON program at the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA), designed to help businesses rooted in creativity achieve their full potential for success. The program focuses on six industries with significant growth potential: film, music, media, design, crafts/visual arts, and performance, and provides resources in financial and site location assistance, workforce development and business advocacy; and is geared specifically toward business development and job creation. To learn more about the Boston's creative economy and the resources that are available to support creative businesses and individuals, please visit the Create Boston website at CreateBoston.com.

The City of Boston has made a real commitment to sustainable development through the adoption of stringent green building standards, by expanding recycling efforts, buying renewable energy, setting aggressive green house gas reduction goals, and expanding and improving green space. To complement these efforts, the BRA began developing a new Green Tech Initiative in 2008 to attract green businesses to Boston, while helping existing small to mid-sized businesses green their operations. When fully implemented, the program will offer business leaders a one-stop shopping on sustainability, from navigating utility energy efficiency incentive programs, to better understanding the ever changing green marketplace, to assisting green businesses identify trained employees, to reducing energy expenses, and more. For more information, click here.

Launched in Spring 2008, the Sustainable Business Leader Program is an innovative program helping 27 small to mid-sized Boston based business leaders become more sustainable while reducing their energy, water, and waste management expenses.