Vivien Li
A decade ago, a standard Boston waterfront project would provide a 10-foot-wide HarborWalk segment with benches, trash receptacles, lighting and generous amounts of parking as part of its public amenities. Today, the responses of waterfront developers to state and city regulatory processes incorporate much more thoughtful amenities for both tenants and the public.
This was particularly evident at a recent meeting of the Boston Conservation Commission, when developer after developer outlined proposals which will include ground floor restrooms for the general public using the HarborWalk; interpretive signage, including some in Braille; enhanced open spaces, including dog runs; and a mix of retail uses. Interior ground floor spaces will have seating areas, Wi-Fi connections and public art for all to enjoy, regardless of tenancy or retail patronage. More and more, developers are recognizing that such amenities create inviting destinations, and in the process have helped residential, commercial and retail rents.
Waterfront proposals have also been modified to reflect changing travel patterns. Tishman Speyer, the new owner of the remaining Pier 4 parcels, plans to reduce its previously approved parking garage from 1,200 spaces to 500 spaces, while Lend Lease Development is proposing 307 parking spaces for its Clippership Wharf project in East Boston, 397 fewer spaces than originally permitted. These and other projects emphasize their proximity to public transportation, including water transportation; indoor bike storage facilities (close to 300 bike storage spaces will be provided at Clippership Wharf); and parking spaces for shared-car options, such as Zipcar and City CarShare.
As the “Imagine Boston 2030” city-wide planning process gets underway, planning efforts should give greater attention to the following:
Provide neighborhood facilities – current planning and regulatory processes consider waterfront projects individually, making it difficult to consider the amenities needed to support a residential neighborhood. Along the South Boston waterfront, for example, the ground floor facility of public accommodation is too often just a restaurant, cafe or coffee shop. Less than a handful of waterfront sites have included community facilities such as a school, place of worship, community center, library, community health center, police or fire station, or, most importantly, a scaled-down supermarket and drugstore/pharmacy.
Planning for active open spaces and ball fields, such as the proposed Piers Park II in East Boston, should also be an integral part of efforts to ensure access to public amenities that are attractive particularly to families with children.
Encourage regional community spaces – the Boston Redevelopment Authority and building owner UDR recently solicited proposals for a 20,000-square-foot civic and cultural use required in the 100 Pier 4 building. Proposals included performance venues, music studios, galleries, and artist work spaces. Three proponents were invited to present their plans at a public meeting, and it was clear that there is much interest and demand for such spaces on the waterfront and elsewhere.
Setting aside rent-free spaces for nonprofit civic and cultural uses, as done on the Fan Pier for the Institute of Contemporary Art and is being done at 100 Pier 4, help to create lively destinations which attract broad public use and enjoyment of the waterfront.
Continue to support transit-oriented development – recognizing that waterfront workers, residents and visitors are less dependent upon daily private automobile usage, developers such as Related Beal and Norwich Partners are building condominium and hotel projects, respectively, with no on-site parking. Other waterfront developers are scaling back the number of parking spaces being provided.
Given frequent weekday traffic congestion in waterfront neighborhoods, alternate modes of transportation need to be supported. More employers are asking about the potential of water transportation to link housing along the East Boston, Dorchester and Charlestown waterfronts with jobs in the South Boston and Downtown waterfronts. They should be encouraged to provide water transit subsidies to their employees in coordination with docks that developers will build near North Station, Lewis Mall in East Boston and Columbia Point. The $8 million set aside in the Environmental Bond Bill for the state’s John T. Fallon Pier at Columbia Point is a start; as part of the city-wide planning process, private property owners should also expect to help support water transportation.
Foster climate-resilient developments – waterfront developers are beginning to plan climate-resilient projects. Almost all new waterfront projects are now elevating their buildings, moving mechanicals to higher floors and using landscaping to potentially absorb flood waters. Building on the city’s 2014 Climate Action Plan, Imagine Boston 2030 will no doubt continue to promote innovative climate-resilient developments and work to protect critical infrastructure.
Boston is widely regarded as one of the most vibrant cities in the country. With a perspective to the long-term wellbeing of the city’s residents, Imagine Boston 2030 can ensure that that vitality will continue for decades to come.
