After its last request for developers to submit proposals for buildout initiatives in Uphams Corner elicited no bids, the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) is going to take another swing at the issue.

“The BPDA expects to bring a new RFP [request for proposals] to the March Board for approval, and release one by early April,” agency spokesperson Bonnie McGilpin said in a statement to the Reporter. “The new RFP will include the Boston Public Library (BPL) branch and affordable housing components. However, it will remove the requirement for the developer to identify an operator for the Strand Theatre.
“The city remains committed to restoring the historic Strand Theatre to support the local arts community, and the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture will identify steps for creating a sustainable business model for the theater,” she said.

On Feb. 15, Wu joined state Rep. Liz Miranda on a visit to the Strand to take in the Van Gogh exhibit and to show support for the overall Arts and Innovation District. The Van Gogh attraction was scheduled to conclude its five-month run on Thursday of this week.

“This is such a community treasure and such an important center for all of us who celebrate arts and culture and economic vibrancy of our communities,” Wu told the Reporter. “We want to make sure to keep working with all our partners and leaders to make this vision come to life. So many people have come to share their ideas and dreams for Uphams Corner. Now there’s a moment to really connect the resources to make that happen.”

The mayor said that in recent meetings on overall development priorities in the city, her housing team has identified Uphams Corner and the Strand as priority items. Miranda, who is running for Second Suffolk District’s Senate seat, said this is the time to seize the opportunity for a revamped Uphams Corner that brings new vibrancy while retaining the current residents and the existing character of the neighborhood.

“I think with the Strand, the library, the affordable housing, with also the other RFPs around development here, we see a different Uphams Corner in two to three years,” Mirand said. “What’s most important for me is the residents who live here and love it are part of this movement and growth. We don’t want another community that gets developed and then people can’t afford to live here. Uphams Corner deserves to stay the diverse community that it is.”

John Smith, director of the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI), said the city needs to reach out to minority developers in a different way, and to move a little faster on the plan.

DSNI, he said, has a project going across the street in the old Citizens Bank building that will offer affordable housing and flex office/arts space. The group has been fully invested in the Arts and Innovation District process since it kicked off in 2016.

“If we’re going to do inclusive processes and bring in lots of community voices, we have to be able to move and be intentional about moving these plans quickly,” he said. “It can’t be plan and pause, plan and pause. It just moves too slow…We run up against that and as community orgs that want to keep community involved, it becomes more difficult.”

He also urged the city to investigate bringing in a coalition of minority developers to have an opportunity at these new RFPs.

“You can revamp all you want, but remember the community wanted equity at the center of the process,” he said. “To be honest, they should encourage partnerships with minority developers. What will happen is you will get two or three of same players bidding for these new RFPs. It doesn’t seem like a process that says innovation.”

District 3 Councillor Frank Baker has been an advocate of separating the Strand from the housing and library RFP since last fall, and this week he said he was glad to hear the new RFPs will be more reasonable for any potential development. 

The next BPDA Board meeting is set for Thurs., March 10.