BOSTON — The old headquarters of the Boston Globe sits on 16 acres of prime real estate. A deal is in the works to sell it to a local developer and if it goes through, residents are worried of what happens next.
“It’s really expensive to live here.”
That’s a concern you hear across Boston, but it’s only recently been repeated in Dorchester, the city’s largest neighborhood which is now catching the eyes of developers as new buildings go up and more plans are in the works.
“We’re able to learn from what’s going on in some of the other neighborhoods. We also have larger parcels of land,” said Boston City Councilor Frank Baker.
Frank Baker represents part of Dorchester. One of those parcels is the former headquarters for the Boston Globe; a 16-acre site for sale next to the T, right by the expressway and on the water. Basically, it’s prime property.
“We’ve been waiting for some investment. Now it just seems to all be coming at once,” said Baker.
For 30-40 years, Dorchester sat dormant while other areas around Boston boomed. Now, that development is knocking some are worried they’ll be forced out.
“Right now, everything that’s going in or anything on the market is over $500,000.”
Baker says he realizes that.
“Housing costs going through the roof right now quite frankly,” said Baker.
He is pushing for new amenities, like parks and libraries from developers and affordable housing for locals, like Kelsey Arbona.
“Yeah, I love the city it’s my home. Hopefully, I’ll never have to leave,” said Arbona.
Baker says with some good planning the building boom can be good for everyone.
“People want to be in South Boston, Dorchester and Roxbury. I think it’s a good thing. A city that isn’t growing is a city that’s dying,” said Baker.
It’s unclear what will go in place of the old Globe building if the sale goes through. Baker said he is hoping for more permanent jobs.
Cox Media Group
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