Why I Support Dorchester Bay City

I am writing today in strong support of Accordia Partners LLC’s proposed development of Dorchester Bay City, which I believe is well-aligned with the City of Boston’s goals of increasing equity, inclusion, diversity, affordability and climate resiliency on Boston’s spectacular harbor and waterfront.

 

The updated proposal will transform 2,500 parking spaces into a resilient, transit-focused development with more than 15 acres of green and open space with 1000 new trees, creating new jobs and economic opportunities for all Bostonians, including Dorchester residents and Minority and Women owed businesses. You can find out more at https://www.baysideupdate.com/work/#about-the-site-new

 

 

The project will also create nearly 400 units of affordable housing on site, contribute more than $50 million to the City’s Neighborhood Housing Trust for affordable housing, and $10 million to the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance’s home ownership down payment assistance program to build generational wealth.

 

As part of their updated proposal, the proponents will invest more than $35 million in off-site transportation infrastructure improvements to JFK/UMass Station and K Circle, improving vehicular, pedestrian and bicycle access. It will also provide up to $235 million to support UMass Boston and its education mission

 

I have spent the past 35 years working to restore, protect and share Boston Harbor, our waterfront and the region’s public beaches with all Bostonians and the region’s residents, who have invested more than $5 billion dollars in the Boston Harbor cleanup.

 

I believe that Dorchester Bay City will truly connect the City to the Sea, creating a more than 3 acre park along the Harbor that will strengthen the physical and programmatic connections to DCR’s Carson Beach Reservation and the City of Boston’s Joe Moakley Park. This is particularly important to Save the Harbor/Save the Bay and their community partners in South Boston and Dorchester,  and to the thousands of young people from across the city who take part in their free youth and beach programs each year.

 

As you may know, I served as Director of Strategy & Communications at Save the Harbor/Save the Bay for more than 30 years, and currently serve as Lead to Consultant to the Massachusetts Legislature’s Metropolitan Beaches Commission. In those capacities, I have led or participated in hundreds of planning sessions, public meetings, and public hearings focused on strengthening Boston’s waterfront neighborhoods and the region’s public beaches.

 

Though no plan satisfies everyone, the  planning process for this project has been one of the best I have participated in. I would like to commend the BPDA for conducting an open, inclusive and extensive public process.  I would also like to thank the project’s proponents for listening to advocates, activists, and the community – and for reflecting so many of our concerns in their plans.