Divisions

Administration and Finance maintains the BRA's financial records and provides human resources, computer, purchasing, and administrative support services to all departments.

The BRA's Economic Development Division plans, coordinates, and manages the activities and tools of the BRA in support of the economic growth and development of the City of Boston. The department oversees the City's review process (see Article 80 of the Boston Zoning code) for large-scale development projects.

Economic Development also manages the agency's housing production strategies and the planning and development functions associated with educational and medical institutions in Boston. In addition, the division administers the functions of the Economic Development and Industrial Corporation, developing and coordinating strategies and initiatives to expand and enhance Boston's industrial and economic base.

For more information, contact James Tierney, Acting Director of Economic Development, at (617)918-4424.

The Executive Director/Secretary’s Office staffs the work of the BRA Board of Directors. The Office has several basic functions:

Preparation of Board meeting agendas

Maintenance of Board minutes and all related materials

Responding to all correspondence, inquiries and phone calls for or pertaining to the Board Members

Advertising for public hearings, public meetings, requests for proposals, requests for qualification, and letters of interest

Facilitating public viewing of documents during business hours

Certification of Board votes, BRA maps, official documents, FOIA requests, and orders of taking under eminent domain authority.

For more information, contact Maura Hendricks at (617)918-4336.

Jobs and Community Services (JCS) administers and allocates federal and state grants through the following divisions:

Adult Services, which supports adult literacy, job training, and welfare-to-work programs.

Central Artery / Tunnel Training Program, which promotes union apprenticeships.

Human Services, which manages Community Development Block Grant funds.

Read Boston, an early literacy partnership with Boston Public Schools.

Youth Services, which manages alternative education and summer job programs.

For more information, contact Constance Doty, Director of Jobs and Community Services, at (617)918-5252.

The Office of the General Counsel provides the BRA with legal advice and represents the agency in litigation and in real estate matters.

For more information, contact Kevin Morrison, General Counsel, at (617)918-4277

The Planning Division coordinates all planning and zoning activities in neighborhoods throughout the city, including coordination of community planning, involvement in planning and project review, and development of master plans and zoning.

Community planning efforts engage local residents, businesses, agencies and institutions in guiding the future character of Boston’s unique neighborhoods and districts. Current planning efforts are listed on this website as Planning Initiatives.

The Planning Division's urban design group conducts planning, analysis, and design review for major downtown, neighborhood, and institutional development proposals. To find information on a specific development project, go to the Development Projects page on this site.

The zoning group reviews Zoning Board of Appeal applications, makes referrals to the BRA Board, provides liaison to and staff assistance for the Zoning Commission, and advises staff and public regarding zoning issues. Maps of current zoning can be accessed via the zoning page.

The Boston Atlas showcases the capabilities of the Mapping and Geographic Information Systems group, which has made contemporary and historic maps, demographic, and other data accessible to the public at large. Information such as the outlines of planning areas, building outlines, street edges, and property ownership can be viewed and information downloaded, including aerial photographs of the city.

For more information, contact Kairos Shen, Director of Planning, at (617)918-4471.

The Research Division conducts research on Boston's economy to provide the basis for policy recommendations and collects, analyzes, and provides information and projections on demographic and market trends.

For more information, contact Alvaro Lima, Director of Research, at (617)918-4428.