General Boston Discussion

[shmessy]

Boston charts the future of downtown development in new plan - The Boston Globe

A new plan from the BPDA aims to streamline a mishmash of building height restrictions, highlight areas best suited for new development, update design and architecture guidelines, and suggest ways to re-energize public spaces.

www.bostonglobe.com

Boston charts the future of downtown development in new plan
By Catherine Carlock Globe Staff,Updated August 30, 2023, 24 minutes ago

 

[Justbuildit]

Looks like a big focus is updating zoning regs for several sub areas of downtown focusing on height with some additional attention to Chinatown. Preservationists seem to already be in opposition (none of the existing tall buildings will be torn down guys…) so I hope pro density folks on this board comment during the public period. With so few people living downtown it could be a chance to really ratchet in some by-right density gains.

 

[citydweller]

The article mentioned ...

City leaders are pursuing several approaches to revitalize the central business district, including offering tax breaks to developers who convert empty offices to housing.

... but failed to mention the vacancy rate.

 

[PercyL]

A fantastic shot of legacy rail from Peabody MA this week: https://railpictures.net/photo/839657/

 

[Java King]

I don't have photos, sorry. However driving down I-93 into the city after spending several days up in Ogunquit, it was a very impressive skyline! Assembly Square Area and the Hood Business Park on the left, plus Cambridge Crossing on the right made a significant impression. (Encore Casino didin't seem so out of place anymore.) Then, the whole North Station area has changed the skyline so much. I remember this drive in the late 80's and it was quite different. As a South Shore person, I don't often get the chance to see the city coming in from the north, and it was quite spectacular..........despite the pre-labor day weekend Friday afternoon traffic. LOL

 

[Blackbird]

I don't have photos, sorry. However driving down I-93 into the city after spending several days up in Ogunquit, it was a very impressive skyline!

I haven’t seen many pictures of it, and my main ideas as to why are (a) it’s difficult and unsafe to take photos while driving, (b) our more prolific photographers don’t drive I-93 into the city from the north often, or (c) there are actually photos in a thread I don’t check very often.

But the new building by Hood in Charlestown is stunningly beautiful. The way the brown-gold fins are layed out makes it look like light shining on a contoured surface when viewed from the side.

 

[#bancars]

Home prices are dropping in some places. Not Greater Boston. - The Boston Globe

August was one of the slowest months for the region’s housing market in recent decades, but our housing shortage is so acute that prices are still near record highs.

www.bostonglobe.com