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February 3, 2005

Jeremy Schwab

Residents of Mattapan and commuters to downtown Boston via the Red Line trolley extension finally see plans for a renovated Mattapan Station taking shape.

Monday, MBTA planners held the most recent community meeting to gather feedback on their plan to build a two-story station building on Blue Hill Avenue, with a new bus and trolley platform extending back away from the avenue.

The plan is part of the MBTA’s effort to renovate subway stations along the Red Line, including Ashmont, Field’s Corner, Savin Hill and Shawmut Avenue stations.

But the Mattapan station renovation is not without its share of controversy.

Last summer, the Mattapan Community Development Corporation, the Brush Hill Realty Trust and Trinity Financial held a community meeting to float their idea of building housing and commercial space on the under-used parking lot adjacent to the station.

“We told them we didn’t want housing,” said Barbara Crichlow, a member of the Community Advisory Committee for the Mattapan Station renovation. “But for some reason [MBTA director of Real Estate] Mark Boyle got some information to the T that the community did want housing.”

Representatives of the Mattapan CDC did not return repeated calls for comment.

Most members of the advisory committee oppose the project, say committee members. Yet the MBTA has moved forward with the process, and is working with the Boston Redevelopment Authority to write a request for proposals from developers interested in building there.

The RFP, which MBTA staff members expect to release within two months, would most likely include housing and commercial space.

“It is transit-oriented development,” said Boyle. “It typically includes mixed use, including housing and commercial. The MBTA, state and city are promoting smart growth. It is a way to generate additional housing to address the housing crisis, but it is also a smart way to develop because it is near transit stations, where you already have existing infrastructure.”

Boyle said that during an October presentation to community members, the general response to the idea of putting housing in the parking lot on River Street was positive.

“It was supported by the audience,” he said. “There wasn’t anybody who said we don’t want housing. There was generally support for a mixed-use development at the site.”

The first four members of the advisory committee surveyed by the Banner, however, expressed opposition to the housing plan.

“If they build in the lot, a couple of feet away another developer is talking about building,” said committee member Myrtle Huggins following Monday’s meeting. “I feel there is too much housing there. There should be more greenery.”

Committee member Mary Burks had similar concerns.

“There are already two other housing developments that should go up nearby,” she said. “The density is going to be outrageous.”

Boyle said he was under the impression that the advisory committee has no official role in giving input on the development of the parking lot.

“There isn’t any [role],” he said. “It is my understanding that the committee was set up to review and represent the community for the station.”

However, MBTA Director of Design Barbara Boylan, who has led the T’s community meetings, said the committee does have some say in the development of the lot.

“We briefed them on what we are doing on the transit-oriented development, and they certainly have a say,” she said.

The development would include a parking facility with spaces for users of the new development and commuters using the station, with extra spaces in case ridership increases, according to Boyle.

“A mixed-use development that includes housing will bring additional life and activity on a 24-hour basis to the station area,” he said. “We think that would be very beneficial.”

The development process will go through the usual review guidelines of the BRA, guidelines which call for community input. However, the MBTA has not yet decided whether to create a community advisory committee for the project.

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