HYDE SQ.—A deed restriction on the former Blessed Sacrament Church building at 365 Centre St. has been lifted, apparently aiding the Hyde Square Task Force’s (HSTF) redevelopment plans, according to Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC) spokesperson Sally Swenson.
When it closed and sold the church in 2005, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston placed a deed restriction that stated that the building could only be redeveloped as housing with possible commercial space in front.
The Hyde Square Task Force (HSTF) entered into a purchase-and-sale agreement to buy the church building in early July from the Church Square Partners, which is a partnership between the JPNDC and New Atlantic Development. A purchase-and-sale agreement typically lasts 120 days and allows the parties to vet the deal. But the parties agreed to extend the sale period, as the Gazette previously reported.
JPNDC and New Atlantic Development bought the Blessed Sacrament Church campus in 2005 and had planned to turn the church into condos. HSTF has said it will use the church building for community space.
The sale of the Norbert School, which is on the church campus, was contingent on the lifting of the deed restriction. That sale was finalized last month and construction has started to turn the building into 21 apartments.