West End Urban Renewal Plan (first).

The plan covers 48 acres and calls for demolishing 682 of the 739 residential structures, displacing some 2,284 families (approximately 7,000 residents), and building 1,175 low-rent apartments, 200 middle-income apartments, and 640 high-rent apartments. According to the plan, “During the three years the project is under construction, a total of 2,248 families will be displaced. Many of these persons will find new quarters in the new low-rent housing units.” But the city subsequently allows the developers to change the plan so that only “luxury apartments” are built. The plan is approved by the federal government on April 1, 1957, and unanimously approved by the Boston City Council on July 22, 1957.