The future of Roslindale Square should be guided by the Planning Department's Squares + Streets Small Area Plan

"Through this Plan, community members, private and public developers, City and interagency staff, and other stakeholders will have a common vision and framework to work toward." - Kairos Shen, Chief of Planning, City of Boston

What this plan does:

1. Proposes projects and recommended community benefits. Recommends public realm enhancements, transportation improvements, streetscape upgrades, and policies to revitalize vacant spaces and strengthen the neighborhood's vibrancy by drawing more residents and visitors

2. Defines a community vision. Establishes a shared vision for the future of Roslindale Square, driven by the input and aspirations of residents, local business owners, service providers, and other stakeholders.

3. Recommends policies and tools. Recommends regulatory and policy tools such as zoning updates, business development strategies, and other measures to foster sustainable growth and opportunity.

(Source: Draft Roslindale Square Small Area Plan, page 10)

Roslindale Square Goals

To realize the community goals for Roslindale Square, this Plan proposes recommendations that require the collaboration of City departments, agencies, and private sector stakeholders, including community-based organizations.

Goal 1: Strengthen community connections

• Outcome 1: Enhance existing transit service and pedestrian connections, like Sophia's Grotto, Birch Street Plaza, and Taft Court, and create new connections wherever possible.

• Outcome 2: Encourage small-scale retail storefronts, cafes, restaurants, and entertainment spaces that encourage foot traffic along streets that connect to the Square.

• Outcome 3: Create a transition into the Square using varying scales of buildings and expanded pedestrian infrastructure to enhance safety (Washington Street, Cummins Highway, and Belgrade).

Goal 2: Activate public spaces to serve a diverse community

• Outcome 1: Allow a variety of active ground floor land uses and diverse housing options, especially in the Community Core, to support existing small businesses and public space programming and encourage new business growth.

• Outcome 2: Establish active, mixed use gateways at the edges of the Square that strengthen existing smaller commercial cores further into the neighborhood.

• Outcome 3: Uplift community identity and inclusivity through representative public art, diversely programmed public spaces, mixed-income housing, and informal gathering spots.

Goal 3: Encourage growth while supporting existing urban form and community assets

• Outcome 1: Identify sites for larger buildings and neighborhood serving land uses, such as medium-scale entertainment venues, indoor recreation and gathering spaces, and mixed-income housing.

• Outcome 2: Incentivize continued use/ reuse of historically and socially significant buildings throughout the plan area, including identifying opportunities to fill vacant spaces.

• Outcome 3: Celebrate the rhythm and texture of existing buildings, land uses, and storefronts, and affirm the local business atmosphere.

(Source: Draft Roslindale Square Small Area Plan, page 28-29)