Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds - 1471 Blue Hill Avenue

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

March 11, 2025

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about March 30, 2025 the City of Boston Mayor's Office of Housing (MOH) and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Livable Communities (EOHLC) will each 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; Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) funds under Section 8, The Housing Act of 1937, as amended; and HOME-ARP funds under CPD Notice 21-10, as amended, to undertake a project known as Residences of 1471 Blue Hill Avenue, located in the Mattapan neighborhood of Boston, MA.  The Residences at 1471 Blue Hill Avenue development is the revitalization of an underutilized and vacant property, with the construction of a new, five (5) story residential building including 41 affordable rental units, onsite parking for 12 vehicles, and a community art space/work room.  The total project cost is estimated at $28,612,964, including  $1,288,377 in federal HOME funds from the City of Boston.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of Boston has determined for itself and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts concurs 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 james.quealy@boston.gov, or to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at Dan.Tobyne@mass.gov.

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 james.quealy@boston.gov, or to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at Dan.Tobyne@mass.gov  All comments received by March 29, 2025 will be considered by the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 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, as Mayor, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts certifies to HUD that Catherine Racer, in her official capacity as Undersecretary, 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 and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts' 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 or the Commonwealth of MA;

(b) the City of Boston or the Commonwealth of MA 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 bosenvironmental@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact the HUD office via email to verify the actual last day of the objection period.