JOHN RUCH
HYDE SQ.—The Blessed Sacrament Church site redevelopment secured its final round of zoning approvals May 1, setting the stage for work to begin this fall.
The former Catholic Church property at Centre and Creighton streets is being redeveloped by the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC) and New Atlantic Development.
“We’re psyched,” said JPNDC Executive Director Richard Thal.
The first round of work, possibly as early as September, will likely involve building new housing units along Creighton and undertaking the spectacular step of moving the historic rectory farther down the street. The project’s architect previously said funds are not yet in place to renovate the actual church building.
Thal said he’s especially looking forward to the Hyde Square Task Force occupying part of the old Chevrus School with expanded youth programs, possibly as soon as June.
“That’s going to be a great thing,” he said. “It’s putting abandoned resources to good use.”