566 Columbus Avenue Cultural Space
The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture is managing the public process in partnership with 566 Columbus LLC and the Boston Planning & Development Agency for the sale of 2,491 SF of non-profit/cultural condo in the South End.
This space is made available through a Community Benefits Agreement determined through the Article 80 process.
In accordance with the Cooperation Agreement between the BPDA and 566 Columbus LLC (the Proponent”, an affiliate of New Boston Ventures, LLC) executed on February 23, 2023, the approximately 4,800 square feet on the ground floor of the Project will be subdivided and conveyed by the Applicant to two (2) nonprofit organization(s) (the “Affordable Commercial Space”). One space consisting of 2,306 SF will be gifted to United South End Settlements (“USES”), who will use the space to continue community-based programming consisting of, but not limited to, an art gallery and community meeting space. The adjacent 2,491SF will be awarded through a request for proposals process facilitated by the BPDA. The Affordable Commercial Space shall be restricted by covenants requiring nonprofit ownership in perpetuity.
On July 11, 2024, selected finalist organizations will present publicly their planned programmatic use of the space. The materials for the meeting can be found here.
The public is encouraged to provide comments regarding the finalist submissions. The City asks the public to provide detailed comments that are related to the evaluation criteria or provide community expertise and context. Comments that solely provide approval or opposition of a particular organization will not be considered by the evaluation committee.
Comments can be emailed to jared.staley2@boston.gov and are due no later than 11:59 PM on August 2.
Public Meetings
This meeting is an opportunity for the public to learn about the five finalists applying for approximately 2,500 square feet of affordable cultural space located at 566 Columbus Avenue. There will be a two-week comment period associated with the finalist organizations’ presentations and proposals.