After five years of false starts, a Roxbury megaproject has been approved by the Boston Planning & Development Agency.

The $500M, 1.7M SF Roxbury Crossing will include 718 apartments and nine townhouses across from Boston Police headquarters, the Boston Globe reports. The late Mayor Thomas Menino had tried — and failed — to lure Partners Healthcare to the site for a new headquarters, but the company chose Somerville’s Assembly Square further up the Orange Line.

Former Gov. Deval Patrick had also attempted to boost the office component of the complex by promising to move the Massachusetts Department of Transportation from its Park Square offices into up to 800k SF at Tremont Crossing. That proposal failed, and the office component for the approved development shrank to 108k SF.

Elma Lewis Partners, the development arm of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, will partner with Feldo Development Corp. on the project. A 10-screen movie theater, a BJ’s Wholesale Club and a museum for the NCAAA will be anchor tenants. Developers still have to secure financing before construction begins.

“Tremont Crossing responds to the needs of the community by bringing good jobs, much needed affordable housing and a cultural and entertainment destination to Roxbury," BPDA director Brian Golden said.