After a lengthy community process and several changes to the original proposal, the long-awaited, 20-unit condo development project at 202 Maverick St. is finally underway.
Last week construction crews began demolishing the former Zumix building on the corner of Frankfort and Maverick streets to make way for the new condo building.
The process to get the project off the ground was long and complicated.
While the two community groups with jurisdiction over the project were split on the project with the Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association (JPNA) voting in favor and the members of the Gove Street Citizens Association (GSCA) voting against, the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) board ruled that enough changes were made to the project to address a number of community concerns like height, parking and number of units.
The $6 million, 22,200 square feet project is being developed by Matthew Newman whose plans include knocking down the existing structure at 202 Maverick St. that once housed Zumix before the music program moved to Sumner Street. Prior to Zumix, the building was a neighborhood bar. The developer will also knock down an existing three-family dwelling and garage next door on Frankfort Street.
Originally the project called for 23 units and during the first series of community meetings also incorporated commercial space on the first floor. However, these were all eliminated after numerous community meetings with the JPNA and GSCA.
Newman said the brick building will incorporated the architectural details on both Maverick and Frankfort streets.
The building will incorporate brick and copper elements that exists at some of the homes leading up to 202 Maverick.
The project will be a mix of one, two-and three-bedroom units, a penthouse unit that is set back 20 feet from the roof line, a green roof and underground parking for up to 20 vehicles.
The height of the building will be 37 feet high and is consistent in height to a number of buildings on both Maverick and Frankfort streets that sit at the height.
In its ruling the BPDA wrote the project, “will transform a site at 202 Maverick Street in East Boston that is currently occupied by several smaller structures, including a garage and a multi-family house. The new building, which is just a third of a mile away from the Maverick Square MBTA Blue Line station, will feature two penthouses and underground parking for 20 vehicles. Three of the building’s units will be deed restricted as affordable in compliance with the city’s Inclusionary Development Policy.