Thursday, January 3, 2008
On the waterfront
The Globe reports today that more residential development is in the works on East Boston's waterfront. This project -- on New Street at the far end of Maverick Landing -- would create 150 residences and cost $90 million, according to the story. The property is owned by the Ohanian family.
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17 comments:
I have been reluctant to ask this question for the fear of appearing antogonistic - but it has been eating away at me. Is there any way we can ask the land use council to weigh in regarding why they are enabling developers to build a wall of housing along East Boston's waterfront? As a lifelong East Boston resident I see the need for revitalization - but I'm not sure that ignoring midtown and cutting off the view to the harbor and Boston skyline are the best way to accomplish that.
What else do you have in mind then?
Anthony P.
The Ohanians are big money jewelers. Why are we giving them our land? I feel like a Wampanog Indian in a sea of Pilgrims. Are the Ohanians going to give us smallpox too?
Well, I don't know specific details, but the Land Use Council is simply an advisory board. They aren't "enabling" this to happen, though I am not sure if they have objected to any of the waterfront development. The city and the BRA have authority to oversee such things.
Well, I'm just talking off the cuff here - but what's wrong with keeping open space for public access? Seems to me if we aren't financially fortunate enough to afford, or care to live in a "deluxe apartment in the sky", we're not allowed access to the waterfront. I guess I'm having a hard time understanding what the rush is to obliterate the view of the harbor and the Boston Skyline. Maybe it's only us middle class renters that are living in the "flats", as I've recently heard my segment of Eastie referred to as, that have a problem with this? It's probably not as much of a factor for folks who can afford to and want to live in a high-rise condo, are eligible for section 8 or are one of the high rollers with an Orient Ave. view.
I'm not sure if that answers "Anthony P's" question of what else I have in mind - because I do have a laundry list of items that I think we could be addressing in this town of ours. I thought that the Land Use Council might not have that much bearing on these decisions. I guess I should get a little more tuned in. Although I have been getting involved and really working to put my money, time and energy where my mouth is - the political landscape in East Boston is not that easy to navigate and even more difficult to impact.
Well, it seems that there is a bit of a rush to develop waterfront lots into residences, and I think it is partly motivated by the fact that East Boston's shoreline has generally been a waste land for so long that people are jumping at the chance to finally get something done with it.
Still, I agree that there are other options that would have been more beneficial to more people. Imagine if there were shops, restaurants, walkways and other attractions stretching along that waterfront from Maverick to Logan Airport.
Of course, I don't know the logistics of who owns what and how difficult it would be to build such things, but if people could get to such a place quickly by T or water taxi, it'd be nice.
I just hope that it is not another Shore Plaza. That was the it (waterfront) development of the day. And as for Maverick Gardens aka the projects if you want to score smack, fenced goods, or a smack whore that would be a place to go. This happens every night. I agree with revitalization. That would take turning the place to glass. I will not allow my wife to walk around that area at midnight. Odds are it will be another Shore Plaza. Condos acrooss the way are vacant in C-Town. The house cleaners/office cleaners have to live somewhere. Don't trust the BRA they actually planned to make EB an adult zone so the smut from Chinatown could locate across the harbor. This is a fact and if you never heard this then you have not been around the hood long.
Hello Everyone
The Land Use Council Says to you all the following facts.
To the first post esp. Anon****Lets get this straight since you wont say who you are as usual. We are not enabling anyone to build these disgusting eyesores****.
Maybe if you get off your ass,and attend the well advertised meetings for these projects,as well as the well advertised Municipal Harbor Plan meetings you would be more / better informed,and actually be able to voice your opinion where it counts. IN PERSON.
1-Jimbo is correct we are an Advisory Board
2- We have been attending meetings for apx 8 years ,voicing STRONG opposition to what I have callled "East Bostons Berlin Wall
3-Access to the waterfront is clearly a God given,as well as a Federal right under Chapter 91.
4-A perfect example of what should happen is the awesome waterfront access behind Spaulding Rehab hospital.
5-Aperfect example of what we get is DENIED access by Politically connected property owners like Vincent Lombardo.We the public under Chapter 91 are supposed to be able to walk behind Liberty Plazza,on a safe,well lighted,and maintained walkway.*If you go and look at the end of the wall near Papa Ginos you will see the old rusted signs citing Chapter 91.However Mr. Lombardo seems to prefer that only the druggies,and drunks use it.
The enforcement of these rules is ignored in East Boston due to Political Powers who refuse to go after Mr. Lombardo ,and others in court.
But be prepared the B.R.A.,and the Mayor just bought a huge parcel of land for peanuts on Condor Street from Hess Oil. This is a prelude to them re-selling it to a Politically connected developer,and sooner or later we will face the same destructive development as we see now.
One last note folks: Even the smaller developments by outsiders are getting the Green Light from your City Councilor,and Mayors office DESPITE opposition ,in one case from 182 EAST BOSTON residents who did not want it.PLUS IT WAS A FORBIDDEN USE UNDER EAST BOSTONS ZONING CODE.
Well I hope that sheds a little light on the Land Use Council,and our efforts to protect Eastie from the outsiders,and Politicians who protect them,who only care about that fat sack of money they carry to the bank,and laugh at us all the way there.
Nuff Said
p.s.To Anthony P.
How about a nice low level development filled with shops,restaurants,and specialty stores. **AND SIGHT CORRIDORS**
BY THE WAY ALSO GAURANTEED UNDER CHAPTER 91 THAT THE FIRST FLOOR MUST HAVE THESE ELEMENTS.
I don't know where can't stand it lives, but I live here in the Maverick area and walk through the newly redeveloped Maverick Gardens almost every day. I have never been accosted, approached, robbed, groped, or even spoken to in anything other than a friendly, neighborly way while walking through my neighborhood no matter what time of day or night. I don't know where you can purchase smack in Eastie since my drug of choice is a glass of wine with dinner that I score at Kappy's. But I do read the police reports and get the arrest numbers from the BPD and the conviction numbers from the state for my student's research. There has been a significantly greater reduction in crime in the Maverick area since the redevelopment than in any other part of the neighborhood over the same period of time.
If you are concerned about the developments on the waterfront, you might consider getting in touch with - or better yet, involved with - the EB Municipal Harbor Plan Advisory Committee. It is my understanding that they have some role in making recommendations on what goes where on the waterfront. I doubt they have any veto power or can "enable" or "disable" anything, but I have been told that the BRA and the developers do listen to this advisory committee.
This is the info from the last email that I received from them:
The East Boston Municipal Harbor Plan Advisory Committee will be meeting on the following dates in 2008:
* 1.16.08 City Hall-BRA Board Room 3-5pm Topic: New Street Offsets
* 1.23.08 Maverick Landing Community Room 6-8pm Topic: Boston East Proposed Substitutions
* 2.13.08 City Hall-BRA Board Room 3-5pm Topic: Boston East Offsets
* 2.27.08 City Hall-BRA Board Room 3-5pm Topic: Review Draft
CONTACT PERSON:
Valerie Gingrich
waterfront | south boston
Boston Redevelopment Authority
One City Hall Plaza
Boston, MA 02201
tel 617.918.4292
fax 617.367.6087
Eastie Rules
Says
Here we go again with Star
She can not post to the original subject without entering Race. This topic of the blog started with the building of walls around the waterfront,and what is the Land Use Council doing.
NOT;Crime,Robberies,Groping,Smack.
Get with the program,and PLEASE,PLEASE stop interjecting the Race,or hate card. The topic was Waterfront Development,and since you are quoting from an e-mail,it also shows you do not attend these meetings either.
Good God give us all a break from your never ending rants about your social ideals.
p.s.Try walking around Maverick at night "ALONE" after dark.
Nuff Said
I am from Maverick. You can walk around Dudley Sq in daylight or down Blue Hill Ave. It is a different world at night. As for shops and restaurants, push out the illegal element. Take a stroll in a neighborhood that already has quality of life amenities. It does not = illegals. For all of you new comers raise your family here and maybe things will change. Very few new residents stay once they start a family.
And as for involvement on planning boards, it took 30 years for Piers Park to become reality. The 1800 club was in the works 15 years ago and it is still not done. Almost 30 years after it was torched people are still waiting for the amenities. If we really want quality of life and property values to increase realistically then the illegals must go. The average income has to rise.
StarLuna's response to Can't Stand It seems to me to be on topic. She is replying to the bleak description of the Maverick housing development, and my experience has been the same as hers: I've walked around there day and night, and I've never had a problem or felt threatened.
That doesn't mean that crimes don't take place there or that drugs aren't sold there. Just last year someone chased somebody with a machete through Maverick Square. However, crime in Boston has fallen recently and crime in Eastie has always been among the lowest in the city.
Mr. Mason - with all due respect, my initial inquiry was a sincere one. The name "Land Use Council" does imply that there would be some type of influence over the use of land in East Boston. I guess I don't know how I could have made that leap.
On the other hand, not knowimg anything about me - or my level of community involvement, it's very forward of you to order me to get off my ass.
Since you yourself have taken to using this blog as a means of communicating with a broader segment of the community - I didn't think it was a huge infraction to ask you to speak to this topic here as not everyone has the bandwidth to attend regular meetings for 8 years. You'll also note that my subsequent post admitted to my lack of knowledge of the processes and players.
Per your description - you have been meeting for 8 years, voicing strong opposition. Maybeit's time to change things up a bit? Mobilize a larger group for a town meeting - or a demonstration?
Eastie Rules
Says to Jimbo
With all due respect.
If Star "ALONE" dares to walk around Maverick Projects a k a the new Projects.
I gaurantee she will be made very uncomfortable by the drug dealers who may think she is a spie,or the endless looooosers riding around looking for prostitutes.
Or God forbid she wears the wrong colors in a Rival gangs turf.
As is proven over,and over again Statistics about crime are never correct ,due to the FACT that not evey single crime is reported.
Even the Federal Government says that,that statistic is about an additional 10% of the actual numbers reported.
Then take into effect the fear of retaliation.
Then take into effect the crime against Illegal residents from ALL countries,once again out of fear of retaliation,but by the Government ,known as Deportation.
A single adult male walking around Maverick Square,and the projects,is NO comparison to a single woman walking around alone.
However just for the record I scrolled back to the first post,and re read it. It does not talk about the subject matter she imposed on this section of the blog.
Nuff Said.
To the anon
Who last posted. You need to read your own post.
You typed "Is there any way we can ask the land use council to weigh in regarding why "THEY" are enabling developers to build a wall of housing along east bostons waterfront"
Excuse me but to me thats an accusation that we are allowing it,or are the reason why its happening.
So again I challenge you to identify yourself ,get out to the meetings,and do some thing other than complain on a blog.
Again ,go back and read your post.Folks its the very first post on this subject.
Oh one last question Mr.Anon: Have you sent any letters to the Mayor,Sal L.,Anthony P. or Carlo B.??
Ill bet not.
Nuff said.
Next time get your facts straight before accusing us of enabling.
Mr. Mason -
I get it, my post seemed to place the Land Use Council on the side of the developers. Really - it was a request for you to chime in re what influence you have had re the development of the waterfront. Jimbo's response more than made it clear that the Land Use Council serves in an advisory role. Your response states that in addition to voicing strong oppostion and meeting regularly for the last 8 years - you also mobilized 182 residents (via petition, meeting or demonstration?)to no avail.
I'm still not sure why you seem to go from zero to irate in under 30 seconds. I'm also not sure what makes you think I'm a Mr.
Just curious whether everyone has read the East Boston Master Plan, the Municipal Harbor Plan or the plans for the three largest waterfront projects? In addition to park space, connections to the green belt and the restoration of the piers, these projects include the reatoration of public water transit for East Boston near Maverick. They also have plans to include retail space and other amenities in their developments. My biggest concern would be keeping on the developers and the BRA to stay on track and not allow them to amend their plans to reduce or delay the public park phases of their plans. It seems to me that improving Maverick and the waterfront are common goals, unfortunately it would be difficult to attract the additional buisnesses and residents without these or similar developments. Increased residential and commercial development of the waterfront are likely the best way to clean up Maverick and Maverick Landing. Perhaps some compromise or scaled down developments might be possible but, we have to be realistic about how we get developers to commit the funds to developments.
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