By Gazette Staff
The Housing and Development Committee of the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council (JPNC) held its regular monthly meeting last Tuesday, November 18.
On hand for the session were Chair Danielle Sommer Kieta, vice-chair Purple Reign, Bernie Doherty, Alcurtis Clark, Sarah Horsley, Willie Mitchell, Kathy Brown, Gert Thorn, Lisa Marie Caliga, Aidan Foley, and Lorenzo Bartoloni.
The committee heard a presentation from Joe Bamberg, the Chief of Planning, Construction, and Development for the Boston Boston Housing Authority (BHA) for the past 23 years, regarding the BHA’s plans for renovations to the Doris Bunte Apartments complex in Egleston Square. He was joined by Raul Leon, the BHA’s Director of Asset Management, whose portfolio includes the Bunte.
The Bunte is the landmark 20-story, cylindrical tower at 1990 Columbus Ave. The Bunte originally was known as Walnut Park before being renamed in 2013 in honor of Doris Bunte, the longtime community activist, BHA administrator, and elected official. The building, which was constructed in 1970, has been determined as eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places based on its unique architecture and community development significance.
Bamberg said that the BHA’s plans include slightly configuring the present mix of 105 studio units, 52 1-bedroom units, and eight 2-BR units (for a total iof 165 units) by reducing the total number of units. (Ed. Note: There was confusion about the final number of units pursuant to the new plans and a final figure was not presented at the meeting.) The extra space created by the reduction in the number of units is necessary for accessibility and other needs of the renovated building.
The BHA’s plans to revitalize the building will enhance energy efficiency and will allow residents to age in place. Bamberg said the Bunte, which serves senior citizens and non-elderly disabled persons, will convert from the present federal public housing subsidies to Section 8 subsidies, “which are a much more robust and generous stream of subsidies.”
The proposed work will involve no changes to the exterior of the building. The renovations will ensure that the building will be fossil-fuel free with electric heating and cooling systems. There also will be modifications to balconies and railings to meet 2025 building codes. In addition, there will be enhancements to site security with added fencing and secure gates.
Bamberg said the construction will be done in “stacks.” He said current residents will be relocated from one part of the building (which presently is about 50% occupied) to another section or to other BHA sites as needed.
The cost of the renovations will be about 300,000 per unit, which Bamberg noted is still substantially less than new housing construction.
“Everyone who lives in the building now will have the right to come back when construction is complete,” said Bamberg, who emphasized that the complex will remain a BHA property and will achieve a higher degree of affordability for extremely low-income persons compared to the typical private “affordable” housing development.
Mitchell asked about the security and safety problems surrounding the Bunte. Leon responded that there has been a “downward trend” in the issues directly at the property and around it. Leon noted that the BHA has evicted some tenants and has installed enhanced lighting and other security measures that have improved safety for residents. “Our goal is to ensure that our residents have a better and safer place than they had before,” Leon said.
Bamberg said the BHA is expecting to start the project by the end of 2027.