Chelsea Creek Rails-to-Tollway

The RFP is literally written for one bidder. This is a handoff of public land without any public process or consideration (poorly) disguised as a public RFP. They wrote the RFP to the terms that Cargo Ventures wanted. It's a sham.

What does Cargo Ventures want near Suffolk Downs-- another Gondola Terminal?

PS: note this is not a sale of Public land -- its simply potentially an easement for use and not even exclusive use
 
I'm glad the RFP seems about to be cancelled.

Let's take the land use and transit considerations in this area a little more slowly. Refer to the picture:
EastBoston-ChelseaCreekRailEasementMap.png



From top to bottom at right border we have:

- The last bit of the oil tank farm
- The Finger (roadway and side grass) from Suffolk Downs
- Orient Height's western "prow"
- Boardman St (now incl. Hilton Garden Inn)
(now read down the centerline)
- Empty grassy buffers and/or unoccupied parking
- Courtyard by Marriott Airport
- Addison St

Out on the left we have
- mostly underutilized car lots
- Air Freight Facilities
- Avis Car Sales (clearly not a real airport function)
- Park Shuttle & Fly
- Air Freight Facilities

I don't see anything that says this can't have an Urban Boulevard with boulevardian land use on both sides.
- Might be on a new alignment east/beachside of 1A
- Might be on a the current 1A alignment
- Might have a Creekside "waterfront" orientation

Seems to me the irredeemably-industrial stuff is all NORTH of this image. Heck, go all the way up to Railroad Ave, and land was useless enough that you've got a solar farm (that you could put on the roof of an airport use if you had to)

When Suffolk Downs is redeveloped, it will be quite natural to orient its "street uses" (which we already have anchored with a Target & Stop and Shop at the top of Tomasello Way) out onto 1A and down toward Chelsea.

Here, for example, is a bus route that might serve "urban boulevard" uses on both sides.
https://goo.gl/maps/3u3qyNCKFGahXJab9
(again, actual route through the RFP zone could be today's 1A or a new boulevard +/-300' toward the beach or toward the creek)

Sure, if the BL actually went to Lynn, the through-routed "BRT" buses would go away. Seems to me we could have Suffolk Downs redone in 10 years and any buses would ppreciate any congestion-tolled or HOT-dedicated lane they could use in the meantime.

Suffolk Downs redevelopment is probably what ensures both Red-Blue and going out to Lynn.

But it also leaves plenty of people in Deepest Revere taking a bus to work. How will their bus be routed long term?

With actual urban planning, you might even get cross-streets here https://goo.gl/maps/3DeNkyb8KXwJnAjKA
 
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FMCB BREAKING NEWS: PROCUREMENT WITHDRAWN, AGENDA ITEM REMOVED. MASSDOT TO LAUNCH USE STUDY.

WE WON!!!!!
 
^ Thank you & congratulations & thank you again.
 
Hey kids! This ill-considered proposal is still simmering. My revolutionary comrades and I stand opposed. If you think this sucks (and there’s a whole spectrum of reasons to think that), drop me a note…
 

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