Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has appointed two new members to the board of the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA), an entity she once campaigned to abolish, reported by Boston Business Journal.  

The appointments include Raheem Shepard, a regional manager for a carpenters’ union, and Kate Bennett, the outgoing head of the Boston Housing Authority. These appointments reflect Mayor Wu’s efforts to reshape the BPDA in alignment with her vision for the city’s development. The City Council must approve the appointments.  

Wu’s initial plan was to abolish the BPDA and replace it with a new redevelopment authority focused on affordability, equity, and climate resiliency, but this plan requires approval from the state Legislature. Despite some public disagreements and challenges, Wu has managed to push through certain initiatives and changes within the agency.