Boston ZBA approves South Boston courthouse redevelopment, NECAT purchase

Zoning Board of Appeal · Meeting of September 8, 2026

Boston Zoning Board clears South Boston courthouse project, NECAT's $9 million Nubian Square purchase. The board unanimously approved use and dimensional variances letting Cedarwood Development LLC convert the historic South Boston Savings Bank building at 460 West Broadway into a new South Boston Municipal Court, after a four-meeting community process that cut an original 22-unit residential component and reduced the building from six to four stories. The board also cleared zoning relief for New England Culinary Arts Training's $9 million purchase of a Nubian Square building, with closing expected in early October pending MassDevelopment financing.

In its most contested vote, the board denied without prejudice a Dorchester proposal for a fourth new house on a family-owned, seven-structure lot cluster after board member Turner said she wanted "a better community process," sending developer David Higgins back to negotiate with neighbors. The board also approved, over a Councilor Ed Flynn deferral request, a South Boston roof deck at 555-567 East Broadway after ONS staff disputed Flynn's characterization of the community process.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 5,296 words

Source: the Zoning Board of Appeal meeting of September 8, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.