A state approval critical to the construction of the West End library has survived this tumultuous legislative session, enabling not just that project but further creative housing developments citywide

The library’s redevelopment would both expand the existing facilities to better serve the West End and add a tower with almost 120 units of affordable housing above the building.

Though several important legislative measures fell through the cracks this year, including the dissolution of the Boston Redevelopment Authority and property tax offsets, the West End Library’s bill H.4880 was not among them. It was approved by the State Administration and Regulatory Oversight committee on August 5 after two months of consideration, now moving onward to the Senate.

The law would enable the library’s innovative new development configuration, built on city owned land and with the city owning the final product but with a private developer doing the actual construction.

Since public development and private development usually play by different rules, this bill granting legal immunity from the state is needed before construction can proceed.

It’s a broad mandate, saying the project “shall not be subject to any general or special law related to the procurement and award of contracts” for essentially the entire process of creating and maintaining the building.

Perhaps more significantly, the carveout applies not just to the proposed West End Library but to any city library parcels that want to add affordable housing. State Representative Jay Livingstone was enthusiastic about the West End Library itself, but also highlighted the precedent it could set for Boston.

“The library is incredibly important.

Housing is one of the greatest crises in Massachusetts and it will bring more desperately needed affordable housing to this area, but it’s also a model for the city to follow elsewhere. This was specifically proposed by Beacon Hill residents, and if successful I hope it will be followed elsewhere to make better use of city resources,” he said.

That’s not so farfetched given the mayor’s office is actively searching out underutilized city assets to convert into housing, though that initiative has focused mostly on parking lots and empty parcels thus far.

Livingstone won’t be able to shepherd the bill now that it’s moved on to the Senate, but he’s passed it off to Senator Lydia Edwards, whose Third Suffolk County seat covers much of the Downtown. Senator Edwards did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

If all proceeds on the city’s projected timeline, construction could begin spring 2026 and finish around fall 2027.

“Beacon Hill residents brought this to the city’s attention and I’m looking forward to doing my small part to facilitate it,” said Livingstone. “I hope it results in more housing on top of libraries. It’s just a cool idea.”