Climate Resiliency - US Army Corps of Engineers update
For three years the US Army Corps of Engineers has been studying South Boston for issues of climate resilience. Of particular interest to us are the projects at Martin's Park, the Flynn Marine Park, Fan Pier/Seaport Blvd and the Fort Point Channel. The third initiative includes the potential for installing floodgates at the Channel's intersection with Boston Harbor. The study is anticipated to span six years in total. Here at the halfway point, the Boston Office of Climate Resilience held a public meeting to discuss the current findings of their overall study.
If you were not able to attend the meeting, here is the link for the replay:
Climate Resiliency Presentation
At the 58:19 point, the Corps of Engineers begins its summary.
Much of the study is based on the City of Boston's Climate Ready Boston report released in 2016, which included a comprehensive vulnerability assessment of current and projected risks associated with each of three climate hazards under a low, medium, and high greenhouse gas emissions scenario.
Sleeper Street to become one-way street - bidding process underway
- Boston Streets Department is moving ahead with plans to make Sleeper Street a one-way road, between Congress Street and Seaport Blvd. The SNA raised questions about the inclusion of a two-way bike lane, as we were concerned about the traffic ramifications for the Seaport Blvd intersection. These questions were answered and we are optimistic about the plan and grateful to Boston Streets for their cooperation. The bidding process is nearing completion and construction is anticipated to begin in the coming months.
- For more information and updated timelines, please go to:
- https://www.boston.gov/departments/public-works/project/congress-street-fort-point
Still waiting on the Northern Ave Bridge demolition
We were hoping that work on removing the Northern Ave Bridge would have begun by now. However, the City Engineering Dept said they are still working through the permitting process and it is going well, just slowly. The current schedule calls for bidding out this work with an anticipation of beginning in mid-2026.
The City of Boston has applied to the Army of Corps of Engineers and the Massachusetts Historical Commission for permission to demolish the superstructure portion of the Northern Ave Bridge. Citing the continued deterioration of the bridge as a safety hazard to the waterway, the city would like to begin demolition of the superstructure this spring, leaving only the bridge stanchions in place. The work would involve very precise removal of the pieces, with catches under the Bridge to protect the waterway from debris. Cranes will be used to carefully remove debris and other objects on the bridge deck.
Boston has pursued this request in the past but was denied permission without a set plan of bridge replacement in place. The hope is that the rapid deterioration of the Bridge will convince all parties of the immediate need for removal.
We strongly support the city’s initiative and trust that it will be approved, and demolition can begin soon. For full details, please click below:
Barking Crab proposes repair work for existing pier
Barking Crab is proposing the replacement of deteriorated sections of an existing fender system along a pier face, as well as repairs to structural timber piles and timber pile caps.
We have not received a definitive response on whether this is part of their previous proposal for a floating dock to provide added seating for the restuarant. For full details, please click below:
Echelon residents and the Borrachito restaurant continue conversations over noise
An ongoing discussion at the Echelon complex involves noise complaints concerning the Borrachito restaurant. The concerns center on the ambient noise and vibrations which resonate from the restaurant and the outdoor noise of patrons leaving and the ride share vehicles servicing them.
Borrachito has worked to address the issues with sound proofing in their space and added security to adress the crowds leaving the restaurant, particularly late at night, given their 2am closing time seve days per week.
The discussions led to a Boston Licensing Board hearing to hear the issues and search for solutions. The Board directed Borrachito to share the current security and crowd control plans and any updates on hours and noise mitigation.
The SNA is very involved in the discussions and works toward a goal of a vibrant Seaport with many dining options balanced against the needs of a residential neighborhood.
Neighborhood news!
Great things going on in the neighborhood!!
New to the Seaport:
Tacos El Chikis is opening a full-service restaurant with seating for 20 in its dining room and a seasonal outdoor patio with additional seating for 18. The restaurant, which will fill a spot at 50 Northern Ave that has been vacant since the closing of B Good, will be managed by the same people who run Committee, a long standing gathering spot next door to this space.
Maple and Ash, a new location for a midwestern steakhouse chain, will be opening in the Echelon Superette. The ownerspromise "an innovative take on the traditional steakhouse, mixing a modern aesthetic with authentic service to deliver classic wood-fired dishes."
Bambola! A new restaurant is going into the Park Place building, replacing the Boston Social Club. It is an upscale Italian location which promises to be "the perfect balance between elegance and excess, aiming at offering the best, until the very last detail."
Marcelino's We recently toured the outdoor space at Marcelino's, bordering the Northern Ave bridge area. They are applying for an outdoor music permit. We are supportive of their effort, given the location and the plan for subdued background music.
We need your opinion on the Seaport Blvd/Pier 4 Blvd intersection!
We are continuing to have discussions with the City about Pier 4 Blvd and how to make it safer for pedestrians and easier to navigate for vehicles. A focus of our next meeting will be on whether a ‘pedestrian scramble’ makes sense for the Seaport Blvd/Pier 4 Blvd intersection. A scramble is what you may have seen at the South Station intersection; all the traffic lights turn red for a period of time, allowing pedestrians to all cross throughout the intersection at once. The Don’t Walk signs stay on as the green lights alternate for the opposing directions, allowing traffic to turn without pedestrians crossing.
We want your opinion on whether this is an appropriate concept for Fan Pier and Seaport Blvds! Please let email us at:
Bike Lanes discussed in citywide meeting
Approximately 60+ attendees from all over the city attended a meeting to discuss the growth of bike lanes in Boston, with representation from Beacon Hill, Back Bay, North End, Mission Hill, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, Roxbury, West Roxbury and Brighton.
The purpose of the meeting was to bring together as many neighborhood groups from across the city to see what the shared experience has been with the newly installed bike lanes.
The organizer, a resident of Back Bay, described himself as someone who enjoys biking and someone who is not against having bike lanes in Boston. However, he expressed personal concern over the city forging ahead with bike lane installations despite negative feedback prior to installation as well as the city’s lack of a long-term plan for sustainable infrastructure. When his concerns were not acknowledged by city representatives, he decided to put together a group to explore what can be done moving forward. The group is Pedal Safe Boston and a website of the same name will launch soon. The organizer shared his experience of living in the Back Bay with the new bike lanes. He stated safety concerns for himself and his family members. Meeting participants expressed support for bike lanes, but frustration that feedback from neighborhood groups has not been considered. Many spoke about the increased traffic due to decreased lanes on major thoroughfares and poor behavior from drivers due to the increase in traffic.
Some of the areas mentioned by community members include Mission Hill (3-4 lanes down to 2 with a bus lane in the middle), Cambridge Street to Mass pike now only one lane and one bike lane), Jamaica Plain downtown area now down to 1 lane, and State Street from Atlantic to Tremont, now down to 1 lane. It was also stated that small businesses may have closed in part due to the difficulty of receiving deliveries. This opinion was expressed by both Wharf Street and Back Bay representatives. Boylston Street has lost curb access for deliveries on one side of the road.
The resounding sentiment was that neighborhood groups have tried to participate in the planning and were shut down, coming away with a feeling that the administration has set an agenda to put bike lanes all over the city, despite the feedback they were receiving and now there is no way to correct for mistakes. A Boston firefighter said their ladders can no longer reach the top of some buildings due to the new bike lanes in parts of the city. He stated he is not pro or con bike lanes, just that, if not properly planned for, they can cause unsafe situations for public safety.
Pedal Safe Boston is in the early stages. There will be additional information once their website is up and running.
UPDATE - Seaport as Possible 'Open Container Social Zone'
We heard from residents who expressed concern about the “Open Container Zone’ concept which was described in a WGBH news story.
Two of our Seaport Neighborhood Association board members met Corean Reynolds (Director of Nightlife Economy for the City of Boston) to discuss the idea. It turned out to be an excellent conversation. SNA wanted to understand the basic idea and also the problem they are trying to solve. The situation feels different than what was described in the article. A few highlights of the conversation:
· Corean’s role is much broader than night life (drinking, clubs etc)
· Corean is focused on all the elements that help a city maintain an effective economy at night including, safety, transportation, construction, etc, so that people can work and play in a safe environment.
· She said that the social zone concept would be a temporary area that might allow alcohol, but could also include music, art, festivals etc.
· There is not a proposal or plan for anything permanent.
· Permits would have to be applied for and the usual process would take place, including the involvement of neighborhood associations.
· The Seaport is not a priority for social zones. City government recognizes that is a new area with tons going on.
· She did mention that the ‘pop-up’ concept could provide an opportunity to drive more diversity in the Seaport.
Corean described her role as a night-time economy specialist, a role that focuses more on how to safely impact vibrancy in Boston. She seemed appreciative of us taking the time to hear about her impressive background and her scope of responsibility. She has been in this newly created city position for 18 months.
The SNA came away quite impressed with Corean Reynolds and we feel that a very good line of communication has been established.
