Boston Residents Back Jackson Mann Site Housing Plan

A city survey shows strong support for redeveloping the site with housing and a community center instead of a school.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Civic Engagement

Isometric editorial illustration showing simplified architectural forms of housing blocks and a community center in a neighborhood site plan. — A city survey in Boston indicates that 67 percent of residents support redeveloping the Jackson Mann site for housing and a community center. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should your local government prioritize community centers and housing over new school facilities on neighborhood land?

A recent Boston city survey found that 67 percent of 473 respondents favor redeveloping the Jackson Mann Community Center site to include housing and a new community center. Boston Public Schools confirmed the site is not required to meet neighborhood enrollment needs.

Why it matters

The redevelopment of the site has been stalled since 2019 after the existing building was determined to be too deteriorated for renovation. Residents signaled a clear preference for community-focused amenities over an educational facility at the location.

Of the 473 total survey respondents, 46 percent gave the housing and community center proposal the highest score possible. Additionally, 83 percent of participants expressed interest in adding an early childhood education center to the project.

The players

Boston Public Schools

This department manages the district's enrollment needs and stated the Jackson Mann site is not required for future school use.

The details

The city proposed a plan that would see the Taft Building used as a temporary location for community center programming during construction. Officials noted that 77 percent of survey respondents also support redesigning the plaza located in front of the community center.

The Jackson Mann building was deemed too deteriorated to renovate in 2019.
The city conducted the first survey on site redevelopment in the summer of 2026.
City officials will host a meeting to review survey results on October 27, 2026.
The city plans to select a housing developer for the site in January 2027.
Design work for a new community center is expected to begin in 2027 or 2028.

Political Context

This project represents a departure from earlier considerations that prioritized school expansion on city-owned land. Opponents of the current plan may raise concerns about the loss of potential school capacity for future student population growth.

Residents can expect the Taft Building to serve as the temporary hub for community programming throughout the redevelopment timeline. Those interested in the site's future should attend the upcoming October meeting to influence the final design phase.

The takeaway

The survey results highlight a significant community shift toward prioritizing residential and shared public space over educational facilities. Residents should track the upcoming 2027 developer selection process to see how their preferences are integrated into the final site design.

What happens next

The city will hold a public meeting to review the survey results on October 27, 2026, followed by a scheduled search for a housing developer in January 2027.