B
oston's Planning Department has advanced a major healthcare initiative with the approval of a new cancer hospital in the Longwood Medical Area. This project, along with other development initiatives approved by the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board, will bring approximately 825,786 square feet of residential, institutional, and commercial space to the city.

    The cancer hospital, a partnership between Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, represents a significant investment in Boston's healthcare infrastructure. The project is expected to generate around 965 construction jobs and 1,310 permanent jobs across the city. The hospital will also contribute $4.8 million towards affordable housing and $875,935 towards job training programs.

    The Future Cancer Hospital at One Joslin Place will feature a 300-bed inpatient hospital, with linkage payments towards affordable housing. Community benefits include reconfiguring roadways for pedestrian safety, reconstructing Joslin Park, and supporting local organizations through monetary donations. The project aims to achieve LEED Gold sustainability standards.

    Other approved projects include the construction of a new Boston University Pardee School of Global Studies at 250 Bay State Road, which will feature an acre of public open space and contribute $75,000 towards the city's bikeshare system. Additionally, two office buildings at 295-297 Franklin Street and 12 Post Office Square and 10 Liberty Square will be converted into residential units, with a total of 88 new homes, including 27 income-restricted units.

    These projects are part of a broader slate of development initiatives approved by the BPDA Board this month. The city's Office-to-Residential Conversion Program is on track to create 762 units from the conversion of 20 vacant office buildings.