B
oston Mayor Michelle Wu announced that the City of Boston and Northeastern University have signed a new five‑year PILOT agreement and a ten‑year Institutional Master Plan (IMP). The deals bring the largest housing, campus, and community‑benefit commitments ever made between the city and a local university.
The agreements provide $62.5 million in community benefits over ten years, $16.5 million for the redevelopment of Matthews Arena, $6 million in linkage payments, and more than $49 million in cash and community benefits through the PILOT. Wu said the pact shows how Boston institutions can meet neighborhood needs while expanding. “Northeastern will deliver on‑campus student housing, redevelop Matthews Arena, invest tens of millions in affordable housing and community benefits, and respond to neighborhood feedback,” she said. “Our five‑year PILOT sets a new standard when taxpayers need relief.”
**Eight Major Campus Projects**
Under the IMP, Northeastern will advance eight key projects over the next decade, including additional on‑campus student housing, the Matthews Arena redevelopment, and new academic and campus facilities. Each project will undergo the city’s Article 80 review. Kathy Spiegelman, Northeastern’s VP and Chief of Planning, Real Estate and Facilities, said the IMP meets long‑term campus needs while addressing community concerns.
**Housing Commitments**
Northeastern will contribute $10 million over ten years to Boston’s housing stabilization funds and add 1,000 new student beds within five years, on top of the 1,215‑bed tower under construction at 840 Columbus Avenue. If off‑campus student housing increases, the university will face new accountability rules, requiring a mitigation plan and public review. Community group Reclaim Roxbury praised the agreement as a significant improvement secured through neighborhood advocacy.
**Matthews Arena Redevelopment**
Construction on the long‑planned arena will begin immediately. The new facility will include hockey and basketball arenas, recreation space, and public realm improvements. Key architectural elements, such as the 1920 terracotta arches, will be preserved. The project will provide $5.02 million in affordable‑housing linkage and $977,600 for workforce training, add bike parking, a bikeshare station, and accessibility upgrades, and incorporate geothermal wells and solar panels.
**Community Access and Programs**
The IMP expands and updates several community commitments: longer hours and improved access for Carter Playground fields and tennis courts for BPS teams and neighborhood groups; better signage, restroom access, and annual reviews of field usage. Procurement goals are renewed: 20 % of discretionary spending to SLBEs, 12 % to MWBEs, 30 % of design/construction to MBEs, and 10 % to WBEs. Northeastern spent $335.54 million with under‑represented businesses in FY24. The university will also operate a new community programming space at 840 Columbus Avenue, supporting workforce development, small‑business assistance, and community organizations.
**New Five‑Year PILOT Agreement**
The PILOT raises Northeastern’s annual cash payment from $1.9 million in FY25 to $2.6 million in FY30 (a 36.8 % increase) and provides $37 million in community benefits over five years. It includes investments in Nubian Square, beautification, and community‑led initiatives. This is the first formal written PILOT contract between the city and Northeastern in decades, establishing predictable annual contributions through 2030. Both parties have committed to renewing a voluntary PILOT before the new deal expires on June 30, 2030. IMP projects will proceed through individual city reviews in the coming years.
City officials say the combined agreements demonstrate a new level of accountability and collaboration between Boston and one of its largest private institutions.
