By Adam Swift
A proposed 94-unit condominium complex at 135 Bremen Street is looking to cut its on-site parking by more than half.
Developers were before the Gove Street Citizens Association (GSCA) at its regular meeting last week to discuss the proposed amendment to the project, which would eliminate an underground parking level and cut the number of parking spaces from 110 to 47. The project was initially approved by the city back in 2014.
Matt Eckel, the attorney for the developer, said the elimination of parking is necessary because the parking level would be within six inches of a Blue Line tunnel at one point.
“The substantial change we are proposing to do is to eliminate the below-grade parking,” said Eckel. “We are seeking to eliminate the lowest level of parking and redistribute some of the lower level of parking to the ground level.”
The changes would also include some changes to the groundfloor layout, including reducing the size of the proposed commercial space from 8,000 to 5,000 square feet and moving the bicycle storage room to the front of the building. Developers would also be able to close one of the curb cut lanes and reduce the size of the drive aisle on the property.
The reduction in the curb cut will also lead to increased plantings around the face of the building, according to architect Linda Neshamkin.
“The parking is now proposed to all be on the first floor for a total of 47 cars as opposed to the previous 107,” Neshamkin said.
The unit count for the building would remain at 94 condominium units.
Neighborhood resident Stewart Landers asked if the developers have done any assessment of potential buyers to see if they would be willing to purchase condo units with no parking spaces.
“Obviously, there is not enough street parking around for another 60 cars,” said Landers.
Eckel noted that the project has been in the works for a number of years, and that developers have looked at a number of different options for rental and condo units during that time.
“With this location being so close to MBTA stations, there is a market – we are confident,” said Eckel. “We have looked at it many different ways over many different time periods and we do believe there is a market with it being so close to public transportation here for these units.”
Several residents raised concerns about the size of the project, and asked if the developer had considered decreasing the number of units, especially given the reduction in parking.
There were also concerns raised that the reduction in parking would have a negative impact on parking and traffic in the neighborhood.
“It is literally irrational (to think that) not half the residents will have cars,” said Bessie King, who suggested that the developer lower the number of units or come up with some other concessions on the project.
Carlos Munoz noted that the plans have always shown the underground parking jutting close to the Blue Line tunnel and questioned why it took so long to propose eliminating the underground parking.
“There was obviously knowledge that the Blue Line tunnel is adjacent to the site and below it,” said Eckel. “The original plan did call for the two levels of parking, but as happens with these projects, as the plans progressed and as there was additional outreach with the MBTA and analysis things changed.”
Karen Sullivan raised the idea of placing deed restrictions on the units so residents would not be able to apply for on-street parking permits. Eckel noted the developer would look into it, but that there were legal questions surrounding deed restrictions on condominium units.
In other GSCA business at the meeting, police officer Tom Domenico noted that crime has been down in the District 7 area over the past few weeks, but that there have been some citations issued for drunk and disorderly conduct in Maverick Square.
There was also a construction update on the Loftel project at 155 Porter St. Demolition and clean out of the area is expected to start this month, with structural prep and underground utility work getting underway in December. The completion of internal framing, drywall, and finish is expected by April of 2024.