BRA Grants Approval to Changes at Hood Site

The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) this week approved a project change to the proposed research and office park planned for Hood Dairy Site in Charlestown.

 

The $25 million project at 500 Rutherford Ave.  is part of a 20-acre development plan that will transform the existing industrial plant into a state of the art research and office park.

According to developer Hood Business Park, LLC’s plans the existing warehouse on Rutherford Avenue will be rehabbed and a 61,000 square foot one story interstitial addition will be constructed.

The BRA has allowed the developer to add 158,000 square feet to the existing warehouse.

The total square footage of the planned development at the Hood Dairy site is 1,168,820 square feet, and will not change with the alteration at 500 Rutherford Ave. The total reduced square footage from the project change, totaling 97,000 square feet, will be applied to other projects in the site.

“It is a big step in transforming the area down there on Rutherford Avenue,” said Charlestown Neighborhood Council Chair Thom Cunha. “The project will make that area a part of the community. There were very few deviations from the original proposal. The plan is to make the building more attractive and attract more people to the area.”

City Councilor Sal LaMattina said the project will bring more jobs and foot traffic to Charlestown.

“This project is good for the economy of Charlestown,” said LaMattina. “As the project creates more jobs in the neighborhood there will be more people frequenting businesses and restaurants in the area.”

The architect for the project is Symmes Maini & McKee Associates. The project will create 200 construction jobs and 450 permanent jobs. This is the first phase of the Hood Business Park to move forward since 2001.

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