Bob editing, Archie Mazmanian principal author.
1. Introduction.
2. Archie’s Analysis.
a. CSX.
b. BU.
c. Harvard.
d. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!
3. Archie Follow Up.
1. Introduction.
Archie provides a thoughtful analysis of the Urban Ring proposals in light of the current proposal to emphasize a northern tier (north of Cambridge, with connection to Cambridge) and to provide different emphasis to an oddly handled southern tier which includes most of the Cambridge portion, plus the Charles River and everything south of the Charles River.
Archie lives two blocks directly south of the BU Bridge in Brookline, just off Essex Street which is the extension of the BU Bridge. Archie has been very busy in area planning and transportation planning.
My only edit is to add outline formatting to his already bulleted analysis.
The document is available at www.theurbanring.com, with comments due August 7.
2. Archie’s Analysis.
The two (2) major impediments to what is now called the Southern Tier of Phase 2 of the Urban Ring are: (1) the Charles River crossing and (2) Longwood Medical/Fenway/Academies area. For the latter, EOT is now proposing surface routes instead of a tunnel; stakeholders in that area can be expected to respond sharply to this Plan B “No Tunnel” route(s) through this congested area. Unlike Las Vegas, what happens in that area is not confined thereto.
So let’s focus on the Charles River crossing that impacts communities on both sides of the River in Boston, Brookline and Cambridge, where EOT’s principal obstacles are: (a) CSX, (b) Boston University and (c) Harvard, perhaps in various combinations.
a. CSX.
The utilization of the Grand Junction Rail Line (GJRL) for Phase 2’s 60-foot articulated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses is required not only to avoid using the BU Bridge by means of the GJRL under the BU Bridge but to provide access for the Allston connection for Harvard’s proposed Allston campus (250 acres) PLUS the potential development of Beacon Yards (600 acres). While Harvard has humongous real estate development potentials for Allston, CSX has to be assured of maintenance of certain of its rail lines, including under the BU Bridge and relocation of certain of its operations in Beacon Yards.
b. BU.
Utilization of the GJRL under the BU Bridge requires an arrangement with BU regarding a connection by means of a tunnel under the Boston side of the BU Bridge to the easterly side in the area of BU’s Academy. What might BU require in exchange? For one, BU will have to relocate its Academy, where, BU has yet to disclose. Also, BU wants to develop air rights over the MA Turnpike Expansion along the southerly side of Commonwealth Avenue in Brookline between Essex and Carlton Street bridge and between the latter and St. Mary’s Street, bounded on the southerly side by Brookline’s Mountfort Street. In addition, BU has been floating the idea of a BU “beach” on the northerly side of Commonwealth Avenue (Boston) presumably covering over a portion of Storrow Drive down to the Charles River. BU’s “beach” proposal seems to include the closure of the short University Road that provides convenient commuter access to and from Storrow Drive East. This is all long range on the part of BU due to its lack of funds.
c. Harvard.
Harvard owns the land underlying Beacon Yards (600 acres) in Allston. If Harvard, CSX and the Commonwealth can work out a deal to relocate CSX operations in Beacon Yards, a humongous tract could then be available for development by Harvard that could rival the Prudential Center and South Boston’s Seaport District, convenient to the Charles River and Harvard’s Cambridge campus. Rumor has it that Harvard would like to see a relocation of the MA Turnpike Extension’s Allston exit/entrance that might permit for a spur to utilize portions of the GJRL for a connection – including under the BU Bridge? – to Cambridge for motorists (as well as for Phase 2’s BRT buses). But Harvard isn’t quite ready to develop even its Allston campus because of financial concerns.
d. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!
That’s what drives real estate development. CSX, BU and Harvard are connected at their hips in development in the area associated with the Charles River crossing that would surely impact already serious traffic and transportation issues in the area of the BU Bridge faced by residential communities on both sides of the Charles as well as commuters through the area. Recall the voice in the movie “Field of Dreams” – “If you build it, they will come” – but who will pay for the required infrastructure for this development that Phase 2 would service? Will BU and Harvard pony-up or will taxpayers bear the freight for the benefit of these tax-exempt nonprofits? By the way, what would be the impact of such development on the residential communities in the area? And will commuter traffic worsen?
More commentary is to come on the Charles River crossing for Phase 2.
3. Archie Follow Up.
I like your edit.
My hope is that residents of Allston will awaken to realize how they may be impacted by Phase 2 in conjunction with Harvard. Based upon my attendance at most CAC [ed: federally ordered, I think, Urban Ring Citizen’s Advisory Committee] and other public meetings on the Urban Ring, Allston-Brighton folks are seldom in attendance because of the many battles they have with Harvard, BU and BC. Allston-Brighton is an orphan area of Boston and poorly treated.
Also, my hope is that residents of all adjoining neighborhoods will understand the roles of the institutions with Phase 2 of the Urban Ring and realize that what's good for these institutions is not necessarily good for their residential communities.
Remember, there was very little involvement of residential neighborhoods impacted by the Big DIG as it was being planned, so their inputs were not availed of. Troops on the ground must get involved with Phase 2 of the Urban Ring and register their concerns.
