FOREST HILLS—A developer is proposing to demolish a vacant martial arts studio at 38-42 Hyde Park Ave., at the Weld Hill Street intersection, and replace it with a four-story, mixed-use building.
According to a Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council Zoning Committee agenda for its May 5 meeting, City Realty is proposing to raze the existing one-story building and construct a new four-story dwelling with nine residential units and ground-level retail space in its place.
A representative for the owner has been asking Forest Hills-area residents to sign a petition in support for a height variance for the vacant building, according to Wenham Street resident Tess Pope, who is helping to found a new neighborhood association.
Pope told the Gazette that the owner’s representative said that City Realty is looking to add three stories to the building for a total of four. The area is zoned for three stories, forcing the a variance request.
“Here is another attempt to cash in on this neighborhood. Maybe the plan is great, maybe it isn’t. But we do need to be on top of this,” Pope posted on a community Google Group, asking neighbors to refrain from signing the petition until City Realty’s plan is clear.
Gazette calls to City Realty’s Brighton office were not returned. A Gazette request for comment from George Morancy, the owner’s attorney, was also not answered.
The former home of Yang’s Martial Arts Association has been vacant since that business moved to Roslindale in November 2012.
The building at 38-42 Hyde Park Ave., the former home of Yang’s Martial Arts Association. (Gazette Photo by Rebeca Oliveira)
2 comments for “4-story building planned to replace Hyde Park Ave. storefront”