Boston: Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds - West End Library: November 12, 2026

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November 12, 2026

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

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

n or about December 2, 2026, the City of Boston Mayor's Office of Housing (MOH) will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 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, to undertake a project known as West End Library  (the 'Project'), located at 151 Cambridge Street in Boston, MA.  The Project will replace the existing one-story West End Branch of the Boston Public Library with a new mixed-use building totaling fourteen (14) stories of approximately 176,517 square feet. The building will feature twelve (12) stories of approximately 157,452 square feet of residential space over an expanded two (2) story, approximately 19,065-square-foot library. The expanded library will more than double the size of the current facility and support modern services, expanded programming, and flexible community use.  Additionally, the Project will create a new outdoor plaza designed to serve library visitors, residents, and the public. The Project will not result in the displacement of any residents, as the Project Site is currently occupied by a public library and does not contain any existing housing units. Instead, the Project will significantly expand the availability of affordable housing in the West End neighborhood through the creation of approximately 119 income-restricted residential units serving households earning less than 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) in a transit-oriented, resource-rich neighborhood. Residential unit types are anticipated to include a mix of studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments designed to accommodate individuals and families. Based on the proposed unit mix, it is expected to accommodate approximately 200 to 300 residents, providing long-term housing stability for many households.  The project developer is Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc. (POAH), and the total project cost is approximately $153,842,209, with up to $6 million in federal HOME funds from the City of Boston.

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In addition, the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) will submit to HUD a Request for Release of Funds for the Project in connection with the HUD Restore Rebuild Initiative.  The Project will include the construction of 119 income restricted units, of which 32 will be new federal public housing units to then convert to federal project based operating subsidy through HUD's Restore Rebuild Initiative to support building operations, resident services and future capital improvements.

The estimated cost of the HUD federal project based operating subsidy over the 20-year Housing Assistance Payment contract period is $28,870,000.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of Boston has determined 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 erresponses@boston.gov.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the Environmental Review Record to the MOH Compliance Unit at erresponses@boston.gov.  All comments received by December 1, 2026 will be considered by the City of Boston 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, 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.

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OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Boston certification for a period of eighteen (18) 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; (b) the City of Boston 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  cpdrrofbos@hud.gov.  Potential objectors should contact the HUD office via email to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Michelle Wu, Mayor One City Hall Boston, MA 02201
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