- Joined
- May 25, 2006
- Messages
- 6,871
- Reaction score
- 1,298
That was a great little primer on why air-rights are so difficult to build. Even lavish tax subsidies aren't enough.
Another way to look at it: it yields a significantly lower ROI.Could be, but then the whole segment through the south end is covered. Also, they don't necessarily need to deck over the entire line, I just wish that additional decking could be done over time to boost the amount of park space. I know it's expensive to construct buildings on air rights, but I'm just wondering about a park with some grass... That must be significantly cheaper.
In this case, though, I'm not talking about investment - the city should make decking more parts of the sw corridor a priority, through public and private money, the latter obtained via development incentives in adjacent neighborhoods. IE, making Northeastern deck the segment east of Ruggles, or help pay for decking, as a carrot or stick to allow them to build new developments in the area.Another way to look at it: it yields a significantly lower ROI.
If they cannot make decking over the Pike in Back Bay, South End, Fenway a reality, then it is hard to believe they can make decking over the Southwest Corridor a reality.In this case, though, I'm not talking about investment - the city should make decking more parts of the sw corridor a priority, through public and private money, the latter obtained via development incentives in adjacent neighborhoods. IE, making Northeastern deck the segment east of Ruggles, or help pay for decking, as a carrot or stick to allow them to build new developments in the area.
Yes are talking about investment. There is a limited amount of money, public or private, and spending that money is an opportunity cost and an investment. Building a deck for a high-rise development in a built-out, dense, expensive neighborhood would be a far better use of funds than building a deck for a park surrounded by under-developed parcels.In this case, though, I'm not talking about investment - the city should make decking more parts of the sw corridor a priority, through public and private money, the latter obtained via development incentives in adjacent neighborhoods. IE, making Northeastern deck the segment east of Ruggles, or help pay for decking, as a carrot or stick to allow them to build new developments in the area.
We studied the SWC extensively in studio during my senior year of arch school. The idea we ended up concluding was that decking the SWC with a linear park could actually spur development on both sides and provide a really nice new neighborhood within a neighborhood. I absolutely believe there are benefits for decking the corridor. The parcels themselves wouldn't generate revenue, but the economic development they would spur would be invaluable. Right now, no one really wants to build anything along that area because of the giant trench that tears through the area. The key to activating the SWC is covering the trench, reconnecting the street grid, and encouraging development along it, rather than on top.Yes are talking about investment. There is a limited amount of money, public or private, and spending that money is an opportunity cost and an investment. Building a deck for a high-rise development in a built-out, dense, expensive neighborhood would be a far better use of funds than building a deck for a park surrounded by under-developed parcels.
Right, especially from Jackson to Ruggles. The whole area is a wasteland, and the narrowest portion of the park. I just want to know, ballpark, how expensive it would be to create a new park the size of the one by the Boston Police HQ or by Stony Brook - the corridor is far more narrow than the Pike. Yes, it's an active rail corridor, but I honestly have no idea how much *some* more decking would cost.... for all I know, it might not be that much. Plus, in terms of investment, good luck making new parkland of any significant size anywhere else... they already blew it in the Seaport District.We studied the SWC extensively in studio during my senior year of arch school. The idea we ended up concluding was that decking the SWC with a linear park could actually spur development on both sides and provide a really nice new neighborhood within a neighborhood. I absolutely believe there are benefits for decking the corridor. The parcels themselves wouldn't generate revenue, but the economic development they would spur would be invaluable. Right now, no one really wants to build anything along that area because of the giant trench that tears through the area. The key to activating the SWC is covering the trench, reconnecting the street grid, and encouraging development along it, rather than on top.
Awesome. I wasn't thinking broadly enough. I guess the effects of decking the trench on the surrounding parcels are a factor. With that being said, though, isn't the fact that nobody wants to build there because of the trench an indication that it isn't as high of a demand area to cover as, say, Chinatown/South End, where people are building in spite of the Mass Pike trench?We studied the SWC extensively in studio during my senior year of arch school. The idea we ended up concluding was that decking the SWC with a linear park could actually spur development on both sides and provide a really nice new neighborhood within a neighborhood. I absolutely believe there are benefits for decking the corridor. The parcels themselves wouldn't generate revenue, but the economic development they would spur would be invaluable. Right now, no one really wants to build anything along that area because of the giant trench that tears through the area. The key to activating the SWC is covering the trench, reconnecting the street grid, and encouraging development along it, rather than on top.
True, but I think 1)next time Northeastern wants to build a tall building, it should at least be discussed that they contribute (at least) to a decking project by Melnea & Columbus.Awesome. I wasn't thinking broadly enough. I guess the effects of decking the trench on the surrounding parcels are a factor. With that being said, though, isn't the fact that nobody wants to build there because of the trench an indication that it isn't as high of a demand area to cover as, say, Chinatown/South End, where people are building in spite of the Mass Pike trench?