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High-Rise Complex Coming To Chinatown

A high-rise residential and commercial complex will start construction next year in Boston's Chinatown. The complex will sit at the end of the Rose Kennedy Greenway and include a 20-story building that drivers will see as they enter the city.

New plans were approved last week after a two-year delay and include an increase in rental units.

Kirk Sykes, president of the Urban Strategy America Fund, said the change in plans followed changes in the economy as Boston's apartment rental market jumped from No. 8 to No. 3 in the nation since 2010.

"When you layer our med and ed jobs with the professional jobs that are here, there's this pent-up demand for this type of rental housing," Sykes said.

Additionally, nearly half the development will be devoted to affordable housing units, making the area a more affordable place to live for low-income residents.

"We are seeing some folks being priced out by some luxury units adjacent to it, and this will really solidify the middle-class and lower income residents in Chinatown that make it such a special place," said Susan Elsbree, of the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

This program aired on February 18, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.

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