Boston screws it up again

[eljusticiero67]

East Boston is a beautiful and historic section of Boston surrounded by water. It is currently a neighborhood in great decline, partly because there is inadequate public transportation going there-- only a metro line that is difficult to use-- and the only two bridges going there cost nearly 4 dollars to cross, but also because the airport is located extremely close, making loud and low-flying planes a common sight.

East Boston could really use a remedial development program. In fact there is an excellent opportunity to do so. The strange thing about Boston is that you often dont realize that you are on the water. Most waterfront sites are poorly utilized and have been gobbled up by hotels and luxury condos with chlorinated pools. East Boston has a beautiful spot, with the best view of Boston (image below), which could be used to develop an amazing restaurant area or boardwalk. While half that area is being used as a park, the other half is being turned into luxury condos!!!!

[Gotta Speakup]

East Boston is NOT in decline. It has been transitioning from being an Italian neighborhood to being a Brazilian and Latino neighborhood for the past decade. It is a great place for families.

That said, yes, development along the waterfront is not going very well. The city has no plan for the area (the city has no plan for any neighborhood).

[Seabishop]

Is the park shown in the aerial photo the new park or is there more park to come?

[hilldweller]

Originally posted by Gotta Speakup

That said, yes, development along the waterfront is not going very well. The city has no plan for the area (the city has no plan for any neighborhood).

Mayor Menino thinks he has it all figured out though, huh?

http://www.boston.com/news/local/mas...akingly_built/

[eljusticiero67]

Originally posted by Seabishop

Is the park shown in the aerial photo the new park or is there more park to come?

I am not sure whether its new or not. It is the one currently in existence. The area encircled in red is the area slated to be developed into luxury condos.

I would propose to expand the adjacent park over that area of development and line it with shops and restaurants. This would bring more visitors to East Boston and also improve the economic indicators of the neighborhood. It would also be more valuable from a tax-base standpoint as more money is brought in to a greater number of people in the neighborhood instead of the isolated area being developed for a few wealthy individuals.

[Gotta Speakup]

The park is called Piers park. It opened about 5-10 years ago on a brownfields site. A lot of people both in an out of city hall worked to make it a success.

I would say that there might be a master plan that extends the Maverick Square business district to the waterfront, but that economic development efforts should be focused on the existing square, not shift activity out of the square.

[mikeisquixotic]

Originally posted by eljusticiero67

East Boston is a beautiful and historic section of Boston surrounded by water. It is currently a neighborhood in great decline, partly because there is inadequate public transportation going there-- only a metro line that is difficult to use-- and the only two bridges going there cost nearly 4 dollars to cross, but also because the airport is located extremely close, making loud and low-flying planes a common sight.

Piers Park is a gem in the rough around the edges, working class neighborhood of East Boston. I took sailing lessons there as a kid. However, I certainly wouldn't say East Boston is in decline. Citing the airport is about 40 years too late.

This luxury condo scheme is something we've seen so many times before and I still do not understand it. What is wrong with growing Maverick Square (seen in upper-right-hand corner of photo) organically to the waterfront with ordinary streets and mixed use development?

While Boston may not maximize its waterfront potential, steps are being made in the right direction. I spent my high school and college years working in marinas and construction projects on the other side of the harbor downtown. The city is trying to give the public a right of way in and around the condominiums and hotels.

http://www.bostonharborwalk.com/plac...tion.php?nid=3

[maxxoccupancy]

All those land owners who have their view taken from them by the new development receive no compensation for the lost property values/use. It's shameful that modern land use planners often have little or no understanding of the rule of law or how it applied to urban development in early America.