By Nevaeh Berenato, Special to the Reporter
A developer’s plan to raze a veterans post in the heart of Dorchester’s Adams Village and replace it with a five-story, 24-unit condo complex drew more than 120 people to a virtual public meeting hosted by the Boston Planning Department on Tuesday evening (March 10). The proposal for the Old Dorchester Post site next to the Eire Pub was roundly criticized by neighbors and abutters who deem it too big and out of place in the village.
The building would include ground-floor commercial space and ten parking spaces in a garage with condo units above, four of them marketed as “affordable.” Douglas Keach and two partners bought the post for $1.8 million in 2024.
Tuesday’s meeting— part of a city Article 80 preview process— is the first time the public has had a chance to speak out about the plans for the property at 500 Gallivan Blvd., which were filed by Keach and his partners last month.
The day before the March 10 meeting, a post on the Cedar Grove Civic Association (CGCA) Facebook page urged members to attend the Zoom, noting: “This is your neighborhood. Commenting on social media will not give our neighborhood a voice.”
Nick Carter, the city’s project manager, opened the meeting with simple Zoom etiquette and noted that longer comments may be cut short due to the volume of participants.
Richard Lynds, an attorney representing Keach and his team, gave an overview of the plan. He noted that city’s official public comment period is open until March 18, but said his clients have agreed to extend the comment period to an unspecified date. This, he said, was intended to allow the developers to meet with the CGCA to “make sure we have as much input and commentary on this project as possible.”
Lynds addressed questions about the potential historical significance of the building, which housed the Old Dorchester Post, an American Legion veterans organization since the 1920s. While Lynds said the owners were reviewing plans with the Boston Landmarks Commission and had “done some preliminary research” on the section, they “do not believe this falls within the classification for significant buildings.”
The renderings of the new proposed building were then shared and quickly led to upset and concerned residents raising hands and leaving comments. A lack of adequate parking, restricted access to the Eire Pub, and the project’s overall size were among the most agreed upon concerns.
“We live here and feel the strain and impacts of traffic and zero parking — we live here!” Dorchester resident Maggie Mancuso wrote in the Zoom chat.
“I think, quite frankly, that this is a monstrosity that’s being proposed,” said Carolyn Kain, who has lived in Dorchester for over 55 years. “I can’t believe that it could be supported going forward, because I value the quality of life— living in my neighborhood, being able to get around— and this does nothing to support that and everything to prevent it.”
Kain’s comments and concerns were echoed by many of her fellow residents, with some sending likes and others commenting in agreement.
The owner of the Eire Pub, John Stenson, listened into the meeting and his brother and wife spoke on behalf of the landmark business on Adams Street.
Robert Stenson, an attorney who joined the call from California, brought constructive criticism for the development team.
“This project— the relief you’re looking for— is really excessive for a site of this size,” he said. “I mean, you’re basically looking for almost a 100 percent increase on the floor area ratio.”
According to a table shown during the meeting, the current floor area ratio (FAR) permitted by the Zoning Board is 1.0. However, the existing FAR of the ODP is below the threshold at 0.82, and the team is proposing a 2.84 FAR for the future 500 Gallivan Blvd. building.
Mary Stenson, John’s wife, said that the Eire Pub’s vintage signage on its roof would be obstructed by the new building shown in the rendering. She worries that combined with the parking and size concerns, her husband will lose business.
“It’s a legacy, small business— it’s a well respected business that I think you should give extra ears to,” she said. “It’s been a business that’s been there for over 60 years, and I’d like to see it there for another 60 years.”
Dave McKay, a neighbor, said he worries about the impact the project on the community that has been built in Adams Corner.
“I’m concerned about the few years I have left on this earth, and I value my neighbors greatly,” he said. “Ellie, her husband, their kids, the people that live with me on Ely Road— we have a good bond. We may not agree with each other on everything, but we have a community here …. And we’re concerned about what future we have left.”
Kelly Butts, a longtime neighbor, agreed.
“I really don’t think looking out my window at that big monster is why I stayed here for all these years,” said Butts. “I stayed because of this neighborhood, these people that are showing up today and what this neighborhood looks like [now.]”
After the public comment section was over, Lynds said that a suggestion that arose from a previous meeting with the Ashmont Adams Civic Association — that resident parking stickers should be considered— “is something that we have no issue with” as a means of counteracting parking concerns.
Lynds said the development team is scheduled to go before the CGCA in April. Further iterations of the plan and renderings will be presented, he said.
