New Jackson Mann Community Center could include housing

A city-commissioned study found that rebuilding the Jackson Man Community Center in Allston could feasibly include housing as a separate building, Mayor Michelle Wu said, as she announced a community meeting planned for next week to discuss the “next chapter” at the site.

“Jackson Man has been a cornerstone of the community for nearly fifty years, and we are moving forward with planning the next chapter of this important asset,” Wu wrote in a letter to the community last week.

Hundreds rallied outside the community center last month to demand tens of thousands in additional funding for the only city-run community center in Allston-Brighton after Wu’s five-year capital budget plan included just $10 million for the Jackson Man.

Wu said in the letter that the $10 million allocated to fund the design and licensing phase of the project. The Mayor also announced a community meeting planned for 6pm on Thursday, May 28 in Jackson Man.

“Boston is going through a difficult budget moment, but we continue to plan for the redevelopment of Jackson Man,” Wu wrote in the letter. “After we determine the mix of uses that will be placed on this site, the city will proceed with the design. As the project progresses and cost estimates are completed, the allocations in the capital plan will grow.”

Wu’s letter also said that the design cost, $10 million in this case, typically represents about 10% of the total project cost, and that capital project permits “are not restricted by fiscal year, so prior funding is rolled over and can be used in future years.”

In April, Woo It revealed its budget proposal of $4.9 billion for the next fiscal year, amid a “difficult” financial moment. The city faces a budget shortfall of about $50 million this year, and up to 400 jobs could be cut in Boston Public Schools next year.

The community center is in desperate need of help, with little programming and parts of the building deemed unsafe. Residents are not permitted to use the front door of the Jackson Man, which is recommended for demolition. The new entrance, open between 1pm and 9pm weekdays only, is located behind the old school on Armington Street. Programming is

Since two Boston schools previously located on the site left, Jackson Man has been without a new plan for years. Apparently there are plans to build a new school there Stoppedwhile most of the 1974 building was recommended for demolition, according to a 2019 engineering report. a report By BBS.

The Jackson Mann K-8 School closed in 2022, while the Horace Mann School for the Deaf, connected by a suspension bridge, was housed in a much larger building on Armington Street before moving to Charlestown in 2024.

Wu pointed out A A new study of public assets released last month, which specified that housing would likely be in a separate building rather than stacked on top of a community centre. At next week’s meeting, the city will review the results of the study and the potential for mixed use in the building.

The study outfitted an Allston-Brighton community center, an elementary school, and on-site housing, including testing options for up to two swimming pools and more than 700 seats in a K-6 school.

“The process of rebuilding Jackson Man will not be simple. The parcels in question are large enough to support more than one use,” Wu wrote. “Residents have also called for the addition of on-site housing to address critical housing affordability challenges in the community.”

The city is “exploring” whether other city-owned buildings in Allston-Brighton could help address the lack of programs for youth and families as the design and construction phase begins.

Boston City Council President Liz Brydon, who represents Allston-Brighton, I promoted the meetinghosted by BCYF, the city’s Department of Public Utilities, and architecture firm Utile.

“I look forward to seeing a strong turnout from the Allston-Brighton community,” the councilman said.

Molly Farrar is a general assignment reporter for Boston.com, focusing on education, politics, crime and more.