BPDA approves tax relief for four housing projects

BPDA Board of Directors · Meeting of October 15, 2026

Boston's planning board approved its first tax relief deal for market-rate rental housing, aiming to restart four stalled projects. The BPDA board voted unanimously to authorize payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreements for developments in Allston-Brighton and Charlestown totaling nearly 1,400 units, including the 341-unit Alston Yards Building D and the 408-unit 1 Mystic Avenue in Charlestown. Senior Policy Advisor Ruben Cantor said the relief totals roughly $31.5 million in net present value and would eventually generate about $7.5 million a year in new property taxes.

"No one is going to be paying less than they pay at this time," Cantor told the board. Board member O'Malley called the program "an enthusiastic yes," saying targeted tax relief "is not a giveaway, it's an investment." The board separately adopted the Cleary Square Squares and Streets rezoning plan for Hyde Park.

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Source: the BPDA Board of Directors meeting of October 15, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript. It was corrected where it differed.