Developer Picked for Hyper-efficient Townhouses in Woodbourne — Units Will Create More Energy Than They Use

A developer has been picked to build two townhouses on Catherine Street that are so efficient they create more energy than they consume.

The Boston Redevelopment Authority’s board of directors, at its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, designated GFC Development, Inc. as the redeveloper in charge of a two hyper energy efficient townhouses at 64 Catherine St., which is in Woodbourne.

Neighbors had previously expressed some misgivings about the size of the project.

JP is already the home of one well-known environmental housing experiment — the .

When completed, said John Dalzell, an architect with the Boston Redevelopment Authority, the properties should create more energy than they consume. The board also approved progress on a similar project in Roxbury.

Other notable non-JP items from the meeting:

• A team representing the Greater Boston YMCA on Huntington Avenue described the organization’s plan for the demolition and replacement of one of its buildings. The plan would replace a 100-year-old structure, which includes a pool, racquet courts and gym space with updated facilities, including a therapy pool and a family pool. Kevin Washington, the president of YMCA Boston, told the board that the association will invest $26-30 million in the project, and already has financing in place.
• Commonwealth Ventures, the firm behind the One Channel Center plan to install a 9-story building, park and parking garage in South Boston, told the board that its latest revision has increased the size of park planned for the site. Responding to criticism from an artist at the meeting, a representative of Commonwealth Ventures noted that the company plans to work with local artists by including an art gallery-style public walkway through the heart of its building and also work with artists on the exterior design of the parking garage.
• Go Fish, the food truck operated by Brother Trucker in the Charlestown Navy Yard, will get to operate his business there for another year.