A five-story building with 44 affordable apartments has opened on the site of a former MBTA trolley yard in Roxbury, marking the latest piece of a sprawling redevelopment that’s been unfolding for nearly a decade. Urban Edge and Nuestra Comunidad held a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of 59 Bartlett Station Drive, and for at least one new resident, the moment carried deep personal weight.
A Milestone Years in the Making
According to Boston Agent Magazine, the new building spans 49,000 square feet across its five stories and includes an indoor community space, 44 bicycle parking spaces and 33 parking spaces. The outlet reports the building marked a milestone in the larger Bartlett Station development plan, which developers envision as a 10-building, 367-unit mixed-use neighborhood rising on the site of a former MBTA trolley yard. That figure lines up with a project description from Bridgeline General Construction, which identifies the new building as Building F5 and describes it as a five-story, 49,000-square-foot structure delivering 44 affordable rental homes along with generous community space designed to support residents and connection.
Jean Francois, a resident who has a disability, said a stable and secure home gives him a sense of peace and comfort, according to Boston Agent Magazine. He also said his apartment meets his needs and allows him to live comfortably and independently, the outlet reported.
City Leaders Celebrate the Opening
Mayor Michelle Wu said in a statement that housing is the foundation of opportunity, and that every new affordable home helps ensure Boston remains a city where families, seniors and individuals can build their futures, per Boston Agent Magazine. Wu said 59 Bartlett Station resulted from years of partnership, community engagement and commitment to making Roxbury a place where longtime residents and future generations can thrive. She also thanked Urban Edge, Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation and the partners who helped realize the project.
Nuestra Comunidad Development Corporation is listed as the owner of the overall Bartlett Station project, according to Bridgeline General Construction’s project page. The broader neighborhood plan calls for affordable, moderate-income and market-rate rentals alongside homeownership opportunities and senior housing, Boston Agent Magazine reported — a mix that Bridgeline’s description echoes, noting the development is meant to feature affordable, moderate and market-rate rental and homeownership housing, senior housing, and future commercial or retail space.
Built on an 8.6-Acre Former Trolley Yard
Bartlett Station sits on an 8.6-acre former MBTA trolley yard, according to Davis Square Architects, which also notes that Bartlett Station is registered with the LEED-ND pilot program, and Building F5 will be LEED-certified. The firm’s project page frames the new building as part of a years-long effort to reshape the site…