Proposal would create affordable housing on top of Boston Public Library branches

BOSTON — How would you feel about living at your local library? If a new proposal in Boston moves forward, the future could look something like that at four library branches.

The innovative idea is meant to create new housing opportunities, and it’s already catching on in some other cities.

It’s the first time Boston has considered such a thing, and some say it’s about time with space scarce and rents high. There are at least four Boston Public Library branches that could be welcoming private tenants in the not so distant future if the test concept gains traction.

“Land is a hot commodity in the city,” said Taylor Cain, the Director of the Mayor Marty Walsh’s Housing Innovation Lab.

In a city as densely packed as Boston, finding prospective places to build new housing is requiring more creativity than ever before. Thinking outside the box is leading to new ideas inside already owned city spaces.

“This is an opportunity to look at land we have control over and do something really creative there,” Cain said.

Related: Boston considering ‘outside of the box’ approach to help create affordable housing

Cain says a concept to build affordable housing on top of Boston Public Library branches that are slated for renovation seems to be something that really could work.

“Most people we’ve talked to have been really excited and intrigued about this idea,” Cain said. “You can imagine what it would feel like to check out a book and be able to go upstairs to your apartment.”

The library branch in Dorchester’s Field Corner is being looked at as a potential proto-type with one potential proposal that would add a second floor of library space to benefit the community and three more floors on top of that with 36 privately owned apartments.

Three other branches in Dorchester, Roxbury and the West End are also being considered by the Boston Public Library.

“It’s tough for folks to find affordable rentals in the cites,” said Sophia Watson, a Boston resident. “You have a lot of people who work in the city who commute from pretty far out.”

“A closet around here costs you $2300, it [isn’t] like it’s affordable,” said Richard Andrews Jr., a Boston resident. “Like myself, blue collar, check-to-check, that will come in handy.”

As the innovative ideas continue to churn inside Boston’s Housing Innovation Lab, there’s a goal on the horizon that could also later lead to housing concepts at other public owned properties, including fire stations and parking garages.

“It’s not something we rush forward with, but also be thoughtful about going through the planning process,” Cain said.

Other major U.S. cities, including New York, Chicago and D.C. have recently implemented similar concepts, adding private housing in recent renovations of public spaces.

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