Community members and the newly picked SIDE Presents arts organization have begun a ‘community brainstorming’ session for the layout and design of a unique flex space that will occupy the ground-floor of the new building planned by DVM Housing Partners for 1028-1044 Blue Hill Avenue.

Mattapan resident Dariela Villon-Maga, the owner of DVM, told the Greater Mattapan Neighborhood Council (GMNC) Monday night that they are preparing to start construction on their first building and want to get a head start in planning for the flex space on the ground floor of the 12-unit affordable home-ownership building.

“We expect to start construction by the end of April,” said Villon-Maga. “We’re very intent on figuring out early what our commercial space approach will be.”

The city has designated Villon-Maga as the developer of three city-owned vacant lots, including 1028-1044 Blue Hill Ave. The other two buildings will be within eyeshot, an 8-unit structure with 700 square feet of commercial space at 1039 Blue Hill Ave. and a 10-unit building with 1,000 square feet of space at 1015-1019 Blue Hill Ave.

For the first building’s commercial space, she said they have partnered with SIDE, which has been headed up by Therlande Louissant and Marlyn Urquiza since 2019. According to their presentation, SIDE is “about curating experiences that are not only fun and inclusive but also deeply rooted in Black and Latinx art and culture given our proud Dominican and Haitian roots.”

The plan is to create flex space in the 1,550 square foot commercial unit that would likely include a 20-person, members-only networking lounge space, a 500-square- foot co-working space, and a 500-square-foot lobby and gathering area. There is also a small rear outdoor patio in the portfolio.

“We’re trying to put a lot into a space that is 1,550 square feet, but we think we can fit it all in,” said Louissant. “We wanted everything, but we were reeled in a little bit…but we did keep things we felt were really necessary.”

The space would be for creative artists and those looking for co-workings space or a “third space” where art shows, presentations, events, and small parties could form along an area of Blue Hill Avenue that has long been devoid of energy. They hope to create synergy between many people in one small space.

“We hope it is a home away from home and becomes that space to gather for other creatives and you feel that vibration,” said Louissant.

GMNC members and those on the call were invited to give design input, picking out things they liked for the space and things they didn’t – including a popular rolling glass garage door, a Haitian themed indoor design, and a less popular co-working cubicle setup.

Miriam Gee, of Co-Everything consultants, said they are taking input to create a 3-D rendering and floor plan that would be put out to the public for fundraising to build out the space. They have a deadline of late April to create the design, she said.

Construction on the first building is expected to be completed in late 2025. The commercial space has not yet been named, said Gee.