495 DOT avenue is a planned mixed use, mixed income, residential community in south boston near andrew square that is the first building planned as part of a larger master plan to convert currently…

On June 23, 2025, the USDA Forest Service awarded $600,000 under the Wood Utilization Assistance program (CFDA 10.674) to Smiley Senior Res 1 Joint Venture LLC to support the 495 Dot Avenue Senior Housing Project in South Boston, Massachusetts. The project represents Phase I of a master plan to convert underutilized industrial land into mixed-use residential and commercial development. The funded initiative encompasses the construction of a 94-unit low and moderate-income senior housing component utilizing an innovative mass timber structural system with exposed cross-laminated timber (CLT) elements, designed to deliver sustainable and healthy living benefits to senior residents. The approximately 75,900 square-foot senior housing facility will be integrated within a larger 331-unit mixed-use development and will include artist working gallery space, resident amenities, and publicly accessible open space.

The Wood Utilization Assistance program prioritizes projects that expand and accelerate wood products markets while supporting sustainable forest management and hazardous fuel reduction. This award aligns with the program's focus on mass timber development and market expansion by demonstrating commercial application of CLT in senior housing construction. The project is scheduled for completion by December 31, 2029, contributing to workforce development and economic benefits in the forestry and wood products sectors while providing critical affordable housing infrastructure in the South Boston region.

495 DOT avenue is a planned mixed use, mixed income, residential community in south boston near andrew square that is the first building planned as part of a larger master plan to convert currently underutilized industrial land into commercial and residential uses. 495 DOT avenue is comprised of 331 residential units contained within two distinct but inseparable components. A 94-unit low income senior housing component and a 237 unit market rate component. The senior housing component is the 495 DOT avenue senior housing project for the intent of this funding opportunity. As the first building to commence construction within phase i of on the DOT 21 acre master plan, the 495 DOT avenue senior housing project will provide much needed senior housing units at a range of low and moderate income levels within the south boston neighborhood. In addition to the resident living space, this development will provide working gallery space for artists, amenity space for the residents as well as publicly accessible open space. Significantly, the approximately 75900 square foot senior housing component is proposed to use a mass timber structural system with exposed cross laminated timber elements bringing sustainable and healthy living benefits to low and moderate income seniors.