Dylan Norris from the planning department’s development review division presented the proposed changes, highlighting the transformation of the Hood Park area. The 15 Super Test Street project will expand from a proposed 12,000 square foot retail building to a 49,000 square foot structure, including a 24,000 square foot grocery store and 32 residential rental units. The 25 Super Test Street project will increase its floor area to approximately 224,400 square feet, accommodating multifamily residential housing alongside a hotel. The developments will adjust the master plan’s Floor Area Ratio (FAR) from 2 to 2.2, remaining within the limits set by the Plan Charlestown.

Michelle Lee, a planner assigned to the project, emphasized the alignment of the proposed amendments with the recently approved Plan Charles Town. The plan addresses neighborhood needs, such as improved access to services and the creation of mixed-income housing. The proposed project includes a continuous acre of open space known as Hood Green and streetscape improvements along Rutherford Avenue and Super Test Street. This initiative aims to transform the area from surface parking lots into vibrant community spaces.

Mark Rosenstein from Trademark Partners discussed the project’s benefits for Charlestown, noting that the addition of a grocery store addresses a critical need for residents, particularly in the northern part of Charlestown. The original one-story retail building on Super Test will transform into a more substantial three-story grocery store with residential units. The proposal for 25 Super Test shifts from a hotel-focused development to a mixed-use building with a significant residential component, creating a mix of market-rate and affordable housing.

The commission’s discussions highlighted community engagement as a focal point, with concerns about the developments’ impact on traffic and local services. The projects aim to meet affordable housing needs in Charlestown, with a commitment to expediting the construction of 15 Super Test to deliver affordable housing sooner. The development will include 26 affordable units out of 136 new residential units, focusing on multi-bedroom family units. Ongoing discussions with the Mayor’s Office of Housing and the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) aim to maximize affordable family units.

Architects presented detailed layouts for the buildings, emphasizing community engagement with spaces like public terraces and various apartment types, including three and four-bedroom units. The design integrates a green space known as Hood Green, an urban grove responding to community desires for more open space. The plan ensures that the ground floor of 25 Super Test, shared by hotel and residential components, is lively and connects with Hood Green.

The development of Hood Green is part of the Plan Charlestown initiative, transforming the area into a bike and pedestrian-friendly corridor. The project includes raising the campus to address flooding issues and creating a green loop to activate community spaces. Existing structures, like a low-rise industrial building, limit potential density increases, but the plan maximizes available space for residential units and a grocery store.

Commissioners discussed the project’s financing, community feedback, and the timeline for development. Construction on Super Test Street is expected to begin in the fall, with an anticipated opening in late 2027. The hotel project’s design phase will commence following permitting processes, influenced by a nearby soccer stadium’s potential to enhance the area’s appeal.