The Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) has issued a scoping determination, requesting more information for Wentworth Institute of Technology’s (WIT) plans for a 69,000-square-foot academic building at 555 Parker St., according to BPDA spokesperson Bonnie McGilpin. That move is a normal part of the review process.
“The next step is for Wentworth to issue an IMP Amendment. Following that there will be a 60-day comment period,” said McGilpin.
Institutional master plan (IMP) is a comprehensive development plan that describes an institution’s existing facilities, long-range planning goals, and proposed projects. The Boston Redevelopment Authority, which has since been re-branded to BPDA, approved the WIT’s IMP in 2010.
The 64-foot academic building would house laboratories, student learning and group meeting space, offices, storage room, “a first-floor maker space,” and space “intended to invite the campus population to experience first-hand displays of Wentworth’s engineering capabilities and teachers,” according to WIT documents filed with DPDA.
The building, which would replace three tennis courts along Parker Street, is slated to be built to the environmental goal of LEED Silver certifiable status. WIT is also committing to implementing the Boston Residents Jobs Policy, with a goal of 50 percent of construction jobs for city residents, 25 percent for minorities, and 10 percent for woman during the expected 14-month construction period.