Jackson Sq. upgrade approved

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino said yesterday that the first phase of a $250 million Jackson Square redevelopment project has been approved by the board of directors of the Boston Redevelopment Authority, the city's planning agency.

The project envisions redeveloping more than 11 acres of public and private land adjacent to the Jackson Square MBTA station, the BRA said; when completed, a mixed-use project of mixed-income housing, retail shops, community facilities, and open space will reconnect Jamaica Plain to Roxbury.

The project will be built in four phases over about six years, with completion expected in 2013, the BRA said.

Phase One represents about 40 percent of the project and includes the construction of four new buildings, the BRA added.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)