The Boston University Board of Trustees has proposed the construction of a new Admissions Reception Center on Bay State Road, according to an Environmental Notification Form submitted to Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs on Sept. 15.
The form includes the Trustees’ proposal to rehabilitate the currently unoccupied Florence and Chafetz Hillel House building at 233 Bay State Road, adjoining The Castle. The proposed project would include an expansion of the building’s north side, facing Storrow Drive, and the construction of a private road off of Bay State. If approved, the project would be set for completion by 2013.
The plan states that the “new admission center needs to have a location central to other University facilities and have access to nearby visitor parking” and 233 Bay State Rd. was chosen among a range of potential locations.
The building at 233 Bay State Rd. has been vacant for over three years, according to the report, since the Hillel House moved opposite The Castle to 213 Bay State Rd.
According to the plan, the project would provide the reception center with more space and handicap accessibility, which the center currently lacks.
For the project to commence, the proposal needs approval from several local agencies, including the Boston Redevelopment Authority, Boston Transportation Department, Boston Water and Sewer Commission, Boston Parks Department, Boston Inspectional Services Department and the Bay State Road/Back Bay West Architectural Conversation District.
The Trustees’ plan also needs approval from state agencies such as the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection and must follow the provisions of the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Act.
On Sept. 14, the plan was presented to the Trustees by a task force consisting of administrators, planners and consultants that meet regularly with representatives of neighboring community groups, according to BU’s Government & Community Affairs website.
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