Partners, stakeholders, city and community leaders, and community members gather to celebrate the grand opening
(Boston, MA, April 16, 2025) – Today, Urban Edge marked the opening of its newest affordable housing development, Betty Greene Apartments, formerly known as 1599 Columbus, in Jackson Square with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Project partners, local officials, advocates and residents came together to celebrate this milestone.
Built by Urban Edge with valuable input from neighborhood leaders and invested collaborators, construction of the building began in August of 2022 and was completed in April of 2025. The project was designed by Utile, a Boston-based architecture firm dedicated to solving complex urban problems through intelligent, pragmatic design. Bald Hill Builders, a woman-owned and operated enterprise that serves Greater Boston was the project’s General Contractor.
Betty Greene Apartments adds 65 new affordable units to the neighborhood, with more than one-third of the units available to households earning 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and the remaining units available to those earning at 60% AMI.
The building offers residents a range of amenities, including a community room, laundry facilities, bicycle storage, free internet and Wi-Fi access, and on-site EV charging stations. It also features approximately 3,200 sq ft of commercial storefront space along Columbus Avenue, creating additional opportunities for community engagement. The development’s incorporation of high-efficiency heating and cooling systems meets both LEED Homes Platinum-certifiable and Passive House standards, making it Urban Edge’s first Passive House project.
“We are proud to open Betty Greene Apartments today. Boston is facing a severe housing shortage, with demand for affordable units far outpacing supply,” said Emilio Dorcely, CEO of Urban Edge. “There are thousands of households on waitlists for affordable housing, and nearly half of Boston renters are considered rent burdened, putting enormous strain on working families, and individuals, including seniors, with fixed incomes. Betty Greene Apartments is a direct response to this crisis – providing 65 stable, high-quality homes for low- to moderate-income families in a vibrant, well-connected neighborhood. More than just housing, this project reinforces our commitment to build strong, inclusive communities where individuals of all backgrounds can thrive.”
“This project shows what’s possible when strong partners come together with a shared purpose,” said MHIC’s President and CEO, Moddie Turay. “By assembling five parcels from multiple owners, we’re bringing new life to the heart of Jackson Square. With all homes secured as affordable and a connection to ongoing neighborhood investment, this development helps forge a stronger, more vibrant community. It’s bold collaboration and smart planning in action.”
Peter Hollands, Boston Market Manager for Community Development Finance at First Citizens Bank echoed this sentiment: “First Citizens Bank recognizes the urgent need for affordable housing units in Massachusetts, and we are dedicated to investing in their financing. We are pleased to partner with Urban Edge and so many other stakeholders, with the shared goal of building sustainable, long-term, thriving communities in the towns and cities that we serve.”
The building is named in honor of the late Betty Greene, a renowned housing advocate who lived the majority of her life in Roxbury. A former board chair of Urban Edge, member of the tenant council at Academy Homes I development, and resident of Academy Homes, Greene was deeply involved in campaigns that shaped the neighborhood – including the successful community-led effort to block the proposed I-95 highway expansion in the late 1960s. She was also known for her dedication to creating safe, supportive spaces for young people and empowering neighbors through grassroots organizing.
“It’s an honor to see my mother recognized for the decades of work she devoted to our community,” said Brian Greene, Betty Greene’s son. “She would be proud to see her name on this building — 65 new affordable homes, right across the street from where she raised her family and led a life rooted in advocacy and love for this neighborhood.”
Similar to many of Urban Edge’s properties, and a reflection of Betty’s own deep commitment to supporting her neighbors, the complex has an onsite Community Engagement Officer dedicated to providing residents with personalized resources and opportunities to support economic mobility and long-term stability.
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Project Funders:
• The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) AHTF, CATNHP/TOD, HSF, HIF, CBH, FCF, LIHTC, State LIHTC, MRVP, Section 8
• City of Boston: Mayor’s Office of Housing Inclusionary Development Program, Neighborhood Housing Trust
• Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC)
• MassHousing: Bond Issuer
• Massachusetts Housing Investment Corporation (MHIC): Federal + State LIHTC Investor
• First Citizens Bank: Construction Lender
• Eastern Bank: Tax Exempt Conduit Lender
• The Life Initiative: Pre-Development Lender
