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Real Estate Development

Affordable housing and commercial development are vital tools for revitalizing and growing strong communities.

Dorchester Bay leads the way in providing affordable housing and commercial space that allows residents to remain, grow, and thrive in Upham’s Corner. Please reach out to our Real Estate team with any questions.

View Our Affordable Housing Portfolio
View Our Commercial Property Portfolio

Our Current Projects

Columbia Crossing project by DBEDCColumbia Crossing is a mixed-use, transit-oriented development proposed by Dorchester Bay and POAH for the former Dorchester Savings Bank site on Columbia Road. Selected through a competitive Request for Proposal issued by the landowner, Dudley Neighbors Incorporated, Columbia Crossing will rehabilitate the historic Dorchester Savings Bank building and replace an existing addition with a premier presentation space referred to as the Glow Box, for arts, culture, and other community-oriented commercial tenants, contributing to Upham’s Corner as an Arts & Innovation District anchored by the Strand Theatre (located across the street). The project will produce 48 new affordable rental units, including artist housing and associated arts amenity space. Columbia Crossing received Boston Planning & Development Agency approval in November 2022 and was awarded City funding in February 2023. Construction is expected to begin in 2025. Click here to learn more.

The Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) has recommended tentative designation of Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation, Caribbean Integration Community Development Inc., and Escazú Development LLC as co-developers of 12 brand-new homeownership units at 21-29 Fernboro Street in Dorchester.

The proposed development will revitalize five city-owned vacant parcels located at the intersection of Fernboro Street and Intervale Street in the vibrant Grove Hall neighborhood. The project will consist of two and three-bedroom housing units, aligning with the community’s expressed desire for family-friendly housing, as outlined in the City’s Request for Proposals. This transformative initiative aims to enhance the neighborhood’s residential landscape and meet the needs of residents seeking quality housing options.

At the end of 2024, DBEDC acquired 14 & 16 W. Cottage St., securing an occupied, four-unit residential property with an adjacent vacant lot in Upham’s Corner. By restricting the units to 80% AMI and to 60% AMI, DBEDC is ensuring that long-term residents, including seniors and one who has lived there for 20 years, can stay in their homes, reinforcing our mission to combat displacement and preserve naturally occurring affordable housing. DBEDC will be conducting much-needed renovations.

Our Approach:

  • We engage community members to envision and plan projects that complement the neighborhood and address local needs
  • We actively pursue residential and commercial development to serve the dynamic and changing needs of our service area
  • Partnering with our Small Business and Resident and Community Engagement teams, we engage local residents in the planning processes for affordable housing and commercial space for local businesses.
  • We aim to stabilize neighborhood assets and create opportunities for affordable housing, wealth building, job creation and local economic development.
DBEDC community members

Since 1979 Dorchester Bay has built or preserved:

Over 1,200 units of affordable housing

Over 40,000 sq ft of commercial space

On the Map: DBEDC Real Estate Portfolio

“Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corp has been an outstanding partner on the Indigo Block development. Throughout our partnership since 2015, there is one constant theme that I’ve observed – the people in their organization are truly passionate about providing housing and economic development opportunities to the Dorchester community. The group brings a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and positive energy to these efforts. We are thrilled to be part of a team with Dorchester Bay.”

—Richard Mazzocchi, Boston Capital Development Managing Director

Our Team

  • Susan Chu
    Susan Chu
    Director of Real Estate
  • Alex Bob
    Alex Bob
    Real Estate Senior Project Manager
  • Lanette Johnson
    Lanette Johnson
    Real Estate Associate (OppCo Fellow)
  • Briana Kan
    Briana Kan
    Real Estate Project Manager
  • Tim Kardatzke
    Tim Kardatzke
    Real Estate Project Manager

Our Partners

Tremont Development Partners LLC logo
DSNI logo
Escazu Development-Logo
Hebrew Senior Life logo
Newmarket Business Association logo
Preservation of Affordable Housing logo
DBEDC Logo
Fairmount Indigo: CDC Collaborative

Contact

594 Columbia Road 
Suite 302
Dorchester, MA 02125

Phone: 617.825.4200

Fax: 617.825.3522

Open for Walk-ins:
Tuesday-Thursday 

By Appointment:
Monday & Friday

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Susan Chu
Director of Real Estate

Susan is the Director of Real Estate. Prior to DBEDC, Susan worked at a Chinatown nonprofit where she led the organization through several affordable housing development initiatives and projects, including the development of 85 new units of affordable rental housing. Before entering the world of affordable housing, Susan practiced law for several years, representing individuals, private companies, and nonprofit organizations in various civil and transactional matters, including zoning appeals.

[email protected]
617-533-9561

Alex Bob
Real Estate Senior Project Manager

Alex is the Senior Project Manager on the Real Estate team. He manages the Columbia Crossing project in Upham’s Corner and supports other real estate projects and initiatives.

Alex is passionate about developing high-quality, affordable housing in the Greater Boston Area and advocating for policy that supports households struggling to afford rising housing costs.

Before Dorchester Bay, Alex worked at the Somerville Community Corporation where he managed the “100 Homes” scattered site affordable housing program that acquired and converted existing multifamily housing to deed-restricted affordable homes. He has also previously worked at the City of Somerville’s Housing Division developing new anti-displacement and affordable housing production policies.

[email protected]
617-533-9566

Lanette Johnson
Real Estate Associate (OppCo Fellow)

Lanette Johnson is a HBCU graduate from Virginian Union University with 10+ years experience in the education field, ranging from preschool to kindergarten. Lanette’s most recent job was at the Boston Renaissance Charter School in Hyde Park. Lanette is currently serving her fellowship at Dorchester Bay through the Fellowship for Equitable Affordable Housing Development, a two-year program from Urban Edge, The Neighborhood Developers, and OppCo designed to bring more People of Color into the field of affordable housing development. In her free time, she likes to spend time with my family, especially her daughter. She loves plants and likes to cook. She also started a small juice business this year.

“I believe everyone deserves to have a place to call home and the affordable housing developments will help eliminate those housing insecurities. This fellowship is breaking barriers and giving women or color an opportunity to make a change and I am grateful to be an inaugural member of such an amazing opportunity.”

[email protected]

Briana Kan
Real Estate Project Manager

Briana is a Real Estate Project Manager who supports various housing and mixed-use development projects. Briana has an academic background in political science and urban planning and is deeply passionate about affordable housing, urban design, and community outreach. With a diverse background in real estate, encompassing affordable housing development and commercial real estate acquisitions, development, and property management, she is dedicated to advancing community and economic development through the built environment.

Briana loves outdoor activities including hiking, climbing, and backpacking, and also enjoys knitting and crocheting. For the past few years, she has been a volunteer and facilitator for the City of Cambridge’s Participatory Budgeting initiative and hopes to make participating in local government more accessible and engaging for all.

[email protected]
617-533-9586

Tim Kardatzke
Real Estate Project Manager

Tim assists the Real Estate team in the development of new housing projects for the Dorchester/Upham’s Corner community. For the last 5+ years, Tim worked as a Rehabilitation Specialist at Just A Start in Cambridge, providing logistical and technical assistance to low/moderate income homeowners with their home improvement projects. Tim also worked with the Community Development Dept. for the City of Cambridge, to refurbish first-time homebuyer units for the resale market.

“Even though I am not native to New England, for 25+ years now I still enjoy finding new places and activities to explore. Recently, I volunteered for a nearby elementary school to help 1st and 2nd graders with reading and comprehension. I also volunteered as a grant writer for the West End Museum to help with major renovation projects and exhibit construction.”

[email protected]
617-533-9564

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