Expanding our Commercial Tax Base

[Last updated May 4, 2022]

As identified in the Brookline Comprehensive Plan 2005-2015, "new commercial development is a powerful resource for allowing the town to maintain and improve its public services and facilities." Commercial developments are taxed at a higher rate than residential development, and commercial developments generally require fewer services than residential developments. Proposition 2 1/2 limits the revenue that local government can generate from existing property taxes to 2.5% annually. Without new tax growth, the Town of Brookline faces future structural budget deficits.

New mixed-use and commercial developments are encouraged at infill sites within our existing commercial districts as well as the Route 9 corridor (Boylston Street).

Under Study

Recent Town Meeting Action

2019: Waldo - Durgin Hotel & Apartment Redevelopment. In Spring 2019, Town Meeting voted positively on Articles 13, 14, and 15. These warrant articles followed recommendations by the Select Board’s Coolidge Corner Study Committee. The Attorney General approved Article 13 in September 2019. Chestnut Hill Realty filed initial paperwork for a Special Permit in Spring of 2020. They are currently studying geotechnical work to better understand construction options as it relates to sustainability and fossil-fuel free construction. The earliest construction start date is estimated to be Spring 2023.

Under Construction

Children’s Hospital at 1, 2-4 Brookline Place - 229,500 square feet of office and medical office in Brookline Village. As of February 2020, the work is substantially complete. Boston Children’s Hospital is now finishing tenant fit-out work (interior finishes) for the 2 Brookline Place building.

Completed

Planning Department Inquiry

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