East Boston Infill and Small Developments

^ Why do people keep saying this? Even at the shortest point from around Battery Wharf to the Maverick area, I don't understand how it would even be possible given the need for ships to pass, unless you're thinking of an insanely expensive pedestrian drawbridge?
 
Bridging the Harbor would cost ~$100M. Who pays for that?

I've lived in East Boston for my entire life, and I agree, the transportation options are challenging if you wish to live without a car (I do not). Hourly overnight buses stopping at all East Boston T stations (funded by Massport) would be a feasible solution. Consider, if Massport is willing to fund the T for tourists and business travelers (i.e. free Silver Line) then perhaps they could do the same for the taxpayers and residents of East Boston. It would improve the quality of life at least as much as another park, and open the community to a new market of residents and homeowners like davem.
 
Cost and how to keep the shipping lanes open aside, I can't imagine it not being a safety hazard. The footbridge over the Pike in Allston's been a prime stick-up spot for years. A bridge over the harbor would be even longer and more isolated.
 
Beacham Street eats bicycles
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I've biked through there and my bike has survived, but no way would I want to do that on a regular basis, especially at night. My bike is a hybrid; I would not recommend a skinny-tired road bike on that road.
 
Beton Brut said:
Bridging the Harbor would cost ~$100M. Who pays for that?
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As a taxpayer I would rather pay for Transportation solutions than have my tax money fund certain developments or corporations. If Transportation is very accessible in areas THE Private DEVELOPERS will come because their will be demand.

Transportation is the key to keeping everything flowing at a good pace. The more efficient a city's transporation grid is the more efficient and exciting the city becomes.
 
KentXie said:
A simple pedestrian bridge would be nice. I wonder why Boston, after all this year, never seriously consider constructing a bridge to connect one of its neighborhood. They could at least connect it to the Charlestown Navy Yard, unless their plan is to squeeze as much money as possible from the tolls. I understand the passage of an L.N.G. is partially the reason, but maybe they can construct some sort of draw bridge?
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I think repurposing either the Sumner or Callahan is a way better idea. The only thing is, we seem to have shot ourselves in the foot here. Those tunnels are the primary access to Logan from north of the city, and it's not easy to access the new Pike extension. So converting one to a two way tunnel doesn't work quite so easily with a still very significant demand for capacity. But it would be great to add some fancy colored lighting for a pleasant walk or bike ride. The cameras are already in there for security, I'm sure there's maybe backup emergency lighting, and the pumps for drainage are already in there, etc. Could have been real simple to do. Another reason, IMO, why the Big Dig did so little for so much $. These tunnels should be for local traffic, primarily local residents, only. Everyone else go use the Pike. This includes lopping off the ramp from the Sumner/Callahan to the Pike extension. Reroute 1A through the Ted, in concurrency with the Pike.
 
If it costs $100/hour to operate a shuttle bus and you want to run it for 4 hours every day for a year (say, 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.) then that comes to about $146,000/year.

Let's just double that for kicks. $300,000/year. At that rate, $100 million pays for over three centuries of shuttle bus service.

Plus, the shuttle bus can probably do a roundtrip to East Boston in about 30 minutes. If it serves some MassPort destination then they can fund it, and it's chump change to them.

Much better than a long, isolated ped/bike bridge, IMO.
 
Beton Brut said:
I've lived in East Boston for my entire life, and I agree, the transportation options are challenging if you wish to live without a car (I do not). Hourly overnight buses stopping at all East Boston T stations (funded by Massport) would be a feasible solution.
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I'm only 9 years into living in East Boston, but I would think an overnight shuttle connecting downtown with Maverick as frequently as you could provide the service with one vehicle would be sufficient. Once in Maverick, anyone destined for points beyond could catch a taxi in Maverick.

Although I haven't tried to catch cabs to Chelsea late night, I'm guessing a similar setup for Bellingham Square would work as well (overnight shuttle from downtown).
 
An entrepreneur looking to make a bet on the Eastie waterfront might want to look into this.
 
Shepard said:
An entrepreneur looking to make a bet on the Eastie waterfront might want to look into this.
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Thats my whole point. Maverick Square looks like a priceless area of real estate but between the city & Massport they will not let it happen. Best views of the city are in Maverick.

Not sure if the Casino gets built what happens then to Maverick will be interesting.

Besides Massport what other private developer or investors own the E. Boston Waterfront views looking at the city? This will be interesting in the future for this area.
 
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Beton, what are your thoughts on a similar gondola running under/supported by the Tobin, between Admiral's Hill and the Navy Yard?
 
nico said:
Beton, what are your thoughts on a similar gondola running under/supported by the Tobin, between Admiral's Hill and the Navy Yard?
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The auto-carrier that comes into the Moran Terminal can barely fit as it is. In fact, I believe they have to wait for low tide to come into port!
 
Does anyone know what the curvaceous building under construction at the other end of the park from the YMCA is?
 
Of interest, in regard to waterfront development, and the Suffolk Downs / Caesars Entertainment Group casino proposal.
 
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