Several hundred residential units proposed along East Boston Greenway

A private developer and two non-profit groups have teamed up on a proposal for 426 residential units in six new buildings along Bremen and Orleans Street, between Maverick and Porter streets.

The proposal, by the Davis Companies of downtown and the East Boston Community Development Corp. and the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, would include 70 "deeply affordable" apartments for people making between 30% and 60% of the Boston area median income. In total, 16.5% of the project's units will be "affordable," compared to the 13% minimum required by the city.

The buildings which would vary between three and eight stories, would be on lots at 156-158 Maverick St., 75-115 Bremen St., 135B Bremen St., 147-163 Orleans St. and 164 Orleans St.

Map showing new buildings along the Greenway:

Three of the lots are owned by the health center, which has used them for employee parking, but which will use the money from their sale to "make much needed improvements to its healthcare facilities and expand its programming."

The project also includes a total of roughly 4,300 square feet of ground-floor commercial space and 172 parking spaces. In total, the parcels have 3.2 acres of land.

In addition to the buildings, the developers say they will make numerous improvements to public spaces, including roughly 0.9 acres of open land, new sidewalks and trees. Also:

An important element of the Project will be the redesign and reconstruction of the Gove Street plaza that creates an entrance to the Greenway at Bremen Street, between the proposed 75-115 Bremen Street and 135B Bremen Street buildings. Improvements will include widened neighborhood access paths, an enhanced open space, and additional site furnishings, plantings and place-making elements, subject to community input and approval by applicable City agencies and commissions. ...

At the Bremen Street entrance to the Greenway, there will be a regraded and improved surface with permeable pavers and additional plantings. This entrance will connect to a completely re-done pedestrian crossing zone. At the entrance of the Greenway, the public experience will be greatly improved with a widened bike path opening that will approach an open air deck that meets the Greenway. The deck will wrap around the corner of the 135B Bremen Street building, where a universally accessible ramp, new plantings and rain garden will be implemented along the Greenway property line. Along the Greenway, 135B Bremen Street will emulate the greenspace with planted courtyards.

Because the lots are already in a "special flood hazard area" based on present conditions, never mind rising sea levels, all the buildings will have residential units and key components above anticipated possible flood levels. Sewer and storm-drain connections will have backwater floods that will keep flood waters from entering the buildings via those pipes.

Bremen and Orleans Development filings and calendar.

Proposed view from the Greenway: