Allston Yards (Stop and Shop) | 60 Everett St | Allston

As of 12/31/23
 

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I'm very excited to see the full project completed and this whole area (along with Boston Landing) built out 5-10 years from now. But it's such a big bummer how this area doesn't have any rapid/frequent transit access!
 
I'm very excited to see the full project completed and this whole area (along with Boston Landing) built out 5-10 years from now. But it's such a big bummer how this area doesn't have any rapid/frequent transit access!
The presence of Boston Landing without Regional Rail schedules seems like a huge missed opportunity. Hopefully that will change and give the area a frequent and reliable service to downtown.
 
I'm very excited to see the full project completed and this whole area (along with Boston Landing) built out 5-10 years from now. But it's such a big bummer how this area doesn't have any rapid/frequent transit access!
It's disappointing that the MBTA bus network redesign isn't doing much here. As I recall, New Balance had to do their own traffic counts to convince the MBTA that more trains should stop at the station. But with more residential and particularly the new grocery store better bus service seems important
 
It's disappointing that the MBTA bus network redesign isn't doing much here.
This! Plus the BNRD is truncating the 86 crosstown connection - from Sullivan cut back to Harvard.

Disconnects Allston from Union Sq (somerville) - two of the faster growing parts of the city each with more development in the pipeline.
 
I lived at 24 Everett St for a couple of years around 2013-2015, and in the general area from then until 2020. Our Apartment had great views of the new New Balance HQ being built over the old warehouses that used to go down Guest Street, and I remember when these plans were first proposed. It's kind of surreal to see them happen, and for this part of Allston to try to clean itself up (as much as can be done when you're a block away from the Model)
 
If that sign doesn't hinge down somehow, it's very strangely placed on the ceiling...
To make it weirder, it’s not actually a stop and shop sign. It has the stop and shop logo dots but says “Allston Yards.” I think it’s an odd interior design choice.
 
Is it just me or do those travel lanes seem quite wide? This will be a brand new street -- hopefully they aren't doing 12 ft lanes...
The plan from 2018 shows three 11 foot travel lanes, not two lanes as shown in the render. A 33 foot wide street does seem a bit large, considering that they're billing this as a transit oriented development and trying to encourage walking.
If the width of the street is set in stone, I'd think three lanes is better than two for decreasing vehicle speed. Three lanes will probably lead to double parking though (see the unprotected bike lanes on Guest Street in the Boston Landing development.
On the plus side, the Guest Street/West Street intersection will have raised crossings to ease pedestrian and bike crossings.
Screenshot 2024-06-03 at 9.18.59 AM.png

Image from figure 5.22 on page 209: https://www.bostonplans.org/getattachment/4ade86cd-0d6f-455e-82f9-62a2334cd390

The 2020 PDA Master Plan shows some changes to this layout (although lane widths are unspecified and presumably unchanged):
  • The dedicated turn lane between West Street and Arthur Street has been replaced with a painted median
  • Bulb-outs around crossings on Guest Street are longer
  • Eastbound off-street bike lane on Guest Street has been extended in front of 52 Everett Street, although the intersection with Everett Street looks dangerous.
  • Westbound off-street bike lane on Guest Street now extends all the way to Arthur Street
Screenshot 2024-06-03 at 9.26.01 AM.png

Image from Exhibit C on page 22: https://bpda.app.box.com/s/qbd93vddevedzagzfw6udt7noqoqchji
 
The renders are always showing beautiful lighting in the summer, with the windows reflecting blue skies and greenery. I wish developers would accept how gray Boston is for so much of the year and show us what their buildings are going to look like in the winter.

It gives the impression that these buildings have been designed without any considerations for how they will feel to be around in the winter, or that the design is relying on good lighting and trees to look good.
 
The renders are always showing beautiful lighting in the summer, with the windows reflecting blue skies and greenery. I wish developers would accept how gray Boston is for so much of the year and show us what their buildings are going to look like in the winter.

It gives the impression that these buildings have been designed without any considerations for how they will feel to be around in the winter, or that the design is relying on good lighting and trees to look good.

Lol! No one wants realistic renderings. You have to sell the dream. That's Marketing 101.
 
The renders are always showing beautiful lighting in the summer, with the windows reflecting blue skies and greenery. I wish developers would accept how gray Boston is for so much of the year and show us what their buildings are going to look like in the winter.

It gives the impression that these buildings have been designed without any considerations for how they will feel to be around in the winter, or that the design is relying on good lighting and trees to look good.
That's kind of the weather today, no?
 
Lol! No one wants realistic renderings. You have to sell the dream. That's Marketing 101.
Of course, the end goal for the developer is to sell or rent units, and they're going to present everything in the best possible light in order to do so. Makes sense!
On the other hand, how often to we buy things only to find out we've been duped by the marketing? I just wonder how much thought goes into how the streetscape will feel in less-than-ideal conditions.
 

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