Notice Of Finding Of No Significant Impact And Notice Of Intent To Request Release Of Funds

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about October 5, 2024, the City of Boston, acting through its Mayor’s Office of Housing (MOH), and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, acting through its Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), will individually submit requests to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Federal funds through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program pursuant to the authority of Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, as amended (t42 U.S.C. 12701 et seq.) EOHLC will submit a request to the HUD Boston Regional Office for the release of Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) funds under Section 8, The Housing Act of 1937), as amended, for the following project:

Columbia Crossing: 

The Columbia Crossing project is an approximately 76,000 square foot, mixed-use building with 48 residential units and approximately 5,000 square feet of ancillary spaces including shared artists' workspace and space for commercial and other public uses plus parking. The project team is committed to development without displacement, ensuring that housing units created though this development are affordable to existing Dorchester residents. All 48 of the apartments in the development will be income-restricted with below-market rents. The Columbia Crossing project will complement and support the Upham’s Corner “Arts and Innovation District.” The project is particularly suited for artists, and 20% of the units are specifically designated for artists. The new building retains and embraces the iconic Dorchester Savings Bank as a prominent design feature including retaining its distinctive banking hall. An added transparent element referred to as the “Glow Box” contributes additional publicly accessible open space as a neighborhood amenity. The bank hall and "glow box" will provide approximately 3,500 square feet of civic, arts, and commercial space that will help to anchor Upham’s Corner as an arts and cultural district. A prominent gallery space to be known as “the Glow Box”, will feature high ceilings, glass walls, and flexible interior space, and will front along Columbia Road. This serves as the public face of the building, and will be available for public and community uses. Ample storage space is provided for artists living in the building who need more space than what is provided within their residential units. Together, these spaces will provide a complement to the Strand Theatre as the district’s anchor arts institution, adding variety to the performance and art display space available within the neighborhood.  The total project cost is approximately $48,000,000, including up to $2,400,000 in federal HOME funds from the City of Boston.  The project will also use the following estimated sources of State funds: $1,000,000 in HSF, 1,500,000 in TOD, $1,000,000 in AHTF and $6,000,000 in ARPA.  Expected additional public funding includes Federal and State low-income housing tax credits.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of Boston has determined for itself and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts concurs that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required.  Additional project information is available electronically by emailing a request to james.quealy@boston.gov or Dan.Tobyne@mass.gov.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the MOH Compliance Unit at james.quealy@boston.gov, or to EOHLC at Dan.Tobyne@mass.gov.

All comments received by October 4, 2024 will be considered by the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which notice they are addressing.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

The City of Boston certifies to HUD that Michelle Wu, in her official capacity as Mayor, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts certifies to HUD that Catherine Racer, in her official capacity as Certifying Officer, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to use Program Funds. 

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Boston’s and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later), only if they are on one of the following bases: 

(a) The certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of either the City of Boston or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; (b) the City of Boston or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts  has omitted a step or failed to make a decision of finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the grant recipient has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58) and shall be emailed to bosenvironmental@hud.gov.  Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Michelle Wu, Mayor

City of Boston

1 City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA 02201

Catherine Racer, Undersecretary

Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities

100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300 Boston, MA 02114