BPDA board approves 165-unit Roxbury conversion, adopts clean energy zoning

BPDA Board of Directors · Meeting of August 13, 2026

Boston's BPDA board approves 165-unit Roxbury hospital conversion, new clean energy zoning and a Mass Robotics lease to 2036. The board, chaired by Chair Rojas, unanimously approved Kensington Investment Company's plan to convert the former Jewish Memorial Hospital site at 45 Townsend Street into 165 rental units, 22 of them income-restricted, after a process stretching back to 2017. Members also adopted zoning amendments creating a "consolidated local permit" for small solar, wind and battery storage projects, required under state law by October 1, and extended Mass Robotics' 12 Channel Street lease to 2036 by adding a vacant fourth floor.

Three more housing votes added 105 units in Mattapan, 24 in Dorchester and 35 in South Boston. One member called the clean energy zoning "my favorite vote I will cast today." The meeting also marked Felicia Jacques's swearing-in as the board's first Black woman member; Chair Rojas called it "meaningful to be the first Black woman sitting here at this table."

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 4,389 words

Source: the BPDA Board of Directors meeting of August 13, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.