Developments > Egleston Power Station
What was once considered an “eyesore” — the long abandoned former MBTA power substation in Egleston Square in Roxbury — has become the attractive new home for the Boston Neighborhood Network (BNN), a nationally-recognized and award winning community media center. BNN and Urban Edge teamed up to sponsor the adaptive reuse and historic preservation of this building into a state-of-the-art facility where BNN has been able to consolidate its operations under one roof and greatly expand its programs. Established in 1983, BNN is Boston’s community access cable television channel. It provides a key media resource to the residents and businesses of Boston and, in particular, to its youth. With additional space, BNN is expanding its youth programs, producing more content for its channels, diversifying its revenue base, and playing an even greater role in the community. The project received permanent and bridge funding from the Property and Casualty Initiative and grants from the City of Boston, in addition to MHIC’s $7 million in New Markets Tax Credit and historic tax credit financing, without which the project would not have been feasible. Already the Egleston Power Station has received preservation awards from the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the Boston Preservation Alliance. The building is considered a model of “green” construction.
Egleston Power Station
Project at a Glance:
Location:
Boston
Development Type:
Commercial,Rental
Project Type:
Historic preservation/adaptive reuse
MHIC Financing:
$6,990,232 in NMTC financing
Sponsor:
Boston Community Access and Programming Foundation
Date Completed:
11/08/2007
What was once considered an “eyesore” — the long abandoned former MBTA power substation in Egleston Square in Roxbury — has become the attractive new home for the Boston Neighborhood Network (BNN), a nationally-recognized and award winning community media center. BNN and Urban Edge teamed up to sponsor the adaptive reuse and historic preservation of this building into a state-of-the-art facility where BNN has been able to consolidate its operations under one roof and greatly expand its programs. Established in 1983, BNN is Boston’s community access cable television channel. It provides a key media resource to the residents and businesses of Boston and, in particular, to its youth. With additional space, BNN is expanding its youth programs, producing more content for its channels, diversifying its revenue base, and playing an even greater role in the community. The project received permanent and bridge funding from the Property and Casualty Initiative and grants from the City of Boston, in addition to MHIC’s $7 million in New Markets Tax Credit and historic tax credit financing, without which the project would not have been feasible. Already the Egleston Power Station has received preservation awards from the Massachusetts Historical Commission and the Boston Preservation Alliance. The building is considered a model of “green” construction.