Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds - 50…

Prior to committing federal (HUD) funding for the construction or rehabilitation of housing and community development projects, the public is afforded 18 calendar days (excluding federal holidays) to submit comments on the environmental impact of a proposed project.

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for an activity to be undertaken by the City of Boston.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about January 8, 2026, the City of Boston Mayor's Office of Housing (MOH) will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of federal HOME Program Funds available through the HOME Investment Partnerships Act, under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. 12701 et. Seq. as amended, to undertake a project known as 50 Herald Street.

50 Herald Street, the 'Project', is located at the corner of Washington and Herald Streets in Boston's South End neighborhood. It currently houses a 2-story grocery store as well as associated surface parking. The proposed development involves the demolition of the existing structure and new construction of a 7-story building which will contain 117 affordable residential units and commercial space on the basement level and a portion of the ground floor. Parking spaces will be available at grade level. The Project will also involve streetscape and pedestrian improvements. The commercial elements of the project will be funded and owned separately from the residential project and will not receive any City of Boston MOH funds. The 117 units will be a mix of 1, 2 and 3-BR units, all of which will be affordable to households at or below 80% area median income (AMI). Ten percent of the units will be accessible to those with mobility impairments, and additional units will be accessible to those with sensory impairments. The gross building square footage is approximately 164,000 square feet which includes approximately 37,000 gross sq ft of commercial space.

The Project proponents are Beacon Communities LLC (Beacon) and the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of New England, Inc. (CCBA). The total project cost is estimated at $45,000,000, including up to $1,000,000 in federal HOME funds from the City of Boston.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of Boston has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) and can be made available for review electronically by submitting a request via email to the City of Boston at [email protected].

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the Environmental Review Record to the MOH Compliance Unit of the City of Boston at [email protected]. All comments received by January 7, 2026 will be considered by the City of Boston prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which notice they are addressing.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

The City of Boston certifies to HUD that Michelle Wu, in her official capacity as Mayor, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process, and that these responsibilities have been satisfied and HUD's approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows the project to use HUD program funds for the purpose specified.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Boston's certification for a period of fifteen (15) days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases:

(a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer the City of Boston;

(b) the City of Boston has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58;

(c) the grant recipient or other participants in the project have committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or

(d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality.

Objections must be prepared and submitted via email in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Office of CPD - HUD at [email protected]. Potential objectors should contact the HUD office via email to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

• Last updated: December 18, 2025

• Mayor's Office of Housing

• [email protected]

• 26 Court Street
  Boston, MA 02108