Rendering by Merge Architects.
The Zoning Board of Appeal today approved plans for a six-story, 59-unit apartment building on what is now a parking lot next to the Fortress self-story building off I-93 in Dorchester, once famous for its giant inflatable lock.
Cobalt Development's plans for 101-109 Boston St. include eight affordable apartments and a total of ten parking spaces.
The plans also call for a ground-floor cafe. The company's lawyer, Joseph Hanley, said the cafe would be a complement to its neighboring businesses at the mall, not competition, and would help "activate" what is now a fairly desolate stretch between the mall and the expressway - as will new street trees and widened sidewalks.
The new building will have two roof decks, once atop part of the first floor, the other at the top of the building.
City councilors John FitzGerald, Ruthzee Louijeune and Erin Murphy supported the proposal. Nobody spoke against.
The project needed variances because of its size and height. By subdividing the overall lot, Fortress needed a variance because its lot would be smaller than called for in the area's zoning. Both were approved.
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