Recent content by choo

Free buses in Lawrence and Worcester (and Boston) discussed in this nytimes article. I think it makes a lot of sense in small cities where cost is relatively manageable. One thing that they didn’t discuss in the article that I think is critical is tying free fares and increased usage to better...

It would be great if the Home Depot moved in the Lowe’s building, that Home Depot lot was built up with a parking expansion for the garage (it’s much closer to the platform) a rebuilt Home Depot with a resi tower over both. Then Lowe’s area gets rebuilt as a mixed use are with a pedestrian bring...

I don’t see why you need all the same bus types. Why not the high capacity to do a loop to SLW a couple of those mixed in with a few limited stop airport ones — like just SS, Wtc, slw then airport. Even get massport to do a LEX that uses the tunnel every 20 min (would have to be battery bus)...

This isn’t a near-term tweak, but wouldn’t require new silver line infrastructure and could significantly boost capacity. When the blue line people mover gets in place (so 2030) I imagine all SL will go to blue line station and drop off. Not having any SL touch terminals mean those buses cycle...

Re: Amtrak / Regional Rail Discussion Thread True high speed rail would be a gamechanger here. It’s costly but frequent, semi-express service (and electrification) I think it should be looked at for all gateway cities (worcester, Springfield, Lowell, Brockton, Haverhill). But the investment...

I went by that govt center view the other day— it will look quite significant right there (in a good way). I think it will really close in government center make it feel more like a city. It will be great when the JFK building is gone and they can rebuild both big and it a way that activates...

Everett mayor has seemingly embraced a lot more housing and has been doing great bus transit improvements that make the community more accessible. This is really what a lot of areas around the core need to do to address the region housing problem. I think they (correctly) see all this housing...

My recollection on the bridge lane design is that two lanes going into Boston is more justifiable given the back up at Charles circle. Given the layout and turn options, 1 Lane would lower the amount of auto throughput and back up the bridge into memorial drive- it already gets pushed back to...

A slight tangent, but the Springfield mgm looks like it has a very good street presence (much more of a downtown location that Wynn) but the quality of materials do really well. Hopefully it helps downtown Springfield attract more housing and density for broad economic growth...

Project looks great but one thing that seems very annoying to me is that the Chelsea stop on the silver line isn’t the Chelsea stop on the commuter rail line. At least on the map, you have Chelsea twice right next to each other. They should’ve renamed one. Now you have a confusing situation...

Is there any legal issue that precludes them from lowering the price for reverse commutes? Right now, the marginal cost of an additional passenger is $0 and reverse commuters aren't often having a price of downtown parking as a monetary benchmark. Why not just make those trains 70% off normal...

Since they haven't been able to sell it, and we have a housing shortage. I feel like this is something the city and state should focus on derisking and developing around the concerns it mentions. I don't know how big the housing mitigation funds are that developer pay into, but the city should...

Re: 115 Winthrop Square | Financial District While the design may have taken a turn - and while I don't like it, there is a lot of overreaction here - no one is going to get nailed to a cross for accepting a bid that was $50 mil more than the next best offer. If anything, sacrificing $50...

I think there should be more paying for permits, but don’t know if a straight auction would work because of some equity issues. But I do think those can be addressed and a big improvement on status quo can be made. Re: restaurants - tough. The restaurants in Boston seem to be bursting at the...

Re: Wynn Everett Casino | Everett The article mentions it really as a much more complete waterfront recreation complex with not only a football stadium, but additional fields, playgrounds and waterfront access. It actually seems like a good way to improve public goods and access for all at a...