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Owners of Flint Cleaners file to redevelop into eight-story building, to re-open after construction

On February 20, the owners of 170-172 Western Avenue where Flint Cleaners is located filed an application to redevelop the laundromat into an eight-story mixed use building. The building will have two ground-floor retail spaces and 20 units (three of which will be affordable). Flint Cleaners, which has operated at the location since the 1960s, will continue to operate as one of the two retail spaces after construction; the other retail space will be a nail and beauty salon. The project will build 28 bike spaces and zero parking, citing its proximity to multiple bus routes. Comments will be open until March 31, 2026. 

Allston Civic Association Meeting Highlights

The Allston Civic Association held its monthly meeting on the evening of February 18. Here are some important takeaways:

• Genesis Lara, who previously curated the Clean Yo Block initiative, will join the Allston Village Main Streets team to replace Maddie Neiman as a program manager.  
• Sergeant Ed McMahon will retire at the end of March. His replacement will be Mark Kervan, who is from Brighton. 
• Sergeant McMahon shared crime statistics:
  • There was a spike of car breaks, totalling to ten in January and ten this month (as of the meeting date). Officers made one arrest on 50 Leo Birmingham Parkway for a suspect with five different warrants.
  • Two arrests were made for aggravated assault. 
  • There were six residential burglaries in Allston.
  • There were four car thefts in Allston-Brighton (one in Allston).
  • In terms of police coverage during the FIFA World Cup, McMahon says that there are no definite plans, but he anticipates that there will be a “full call out” at the seven games hosted in Boston and increased security at the neighborhood watch parties. 
• Debbie Ho is seeking to open an adult day care on 40 Braintree Street. She says that she anticipates that the 13000-square-feet daycare will have a nurse and licensed and licensed practicing nurse to support 150 people per day. The adult day care will have breakfast and lunch to each person that comes through its doors.

Deep Energy Retrofit at 42 Ashford Street

During the February ACA meeting, John Woods, who directs the Allston Brighton Community Development, shared that on 42 Ashford Street, the ABCDC will be conducting an extensive renovation, called a deep energy retrofit, by adding insulation and reducing sources of fossil fuels. The building currently provides housing for individuals with referrals from the Department of Mental Health. The renovations are aimed at reducing the energy usage of the building and are expected to cost 2.5 million dollars. If approved for a building permit by the ISD, the project will begin in June and run until December. During that time, residents can continue living at the site though they might be moved around within the building as renovations take place.

Hill Memorial Baptist Church Construction Delays and Rennovation

Wood also shared that the renovation at the Hill Memorial Baptist Church is experiencing delays at the state level. ABCDC is currently applying for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, but the application has been pushed from March to November due to the high volume of applications on the state level. Wood says that construction for the new housing, which will provide units for seniors, will be pushed to mid 2027. However, parts of the renovation, such as the preservation of the exterior and roof replacement, will proceed with some funding from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center 

Ongoing Public Comment

Public Comment for 676 Washington Street Development

The development at 676 Washington Street., which previously held Our Lady of the Presentation Church, seeks to redevelop the former church into a multi-family residential unit. The developers will build a four-story addition at the rear of the church. The development will have 33 two-bedroom units and 33 spaces of below-grade parking while maintaining the façade of the previous church. Comments will be open until March 6, 2026.

Public Comment for 263 North Harvard Avenue Development

D2Development filed a small project application to build a four-story residential building on a lot at 263 North Harvard Avenue located at the corner of North Harvard Avenue and Easton Street. The development seeks to build 43 residential units (including 7 affordable units) composed of 14 studio, 20 one-bedroom, and 9 two-bedroom units. The developers propose to build 14 parking spaces for vehicles and 44 residential bike parking spaces. Public comment will be open until March 9, 2026.