Mildred Hailey (Bromley Heath) BHA Redevelopment | Jackson Square | Jamaica Plain

I just hope there's no net loss of open space and playgrounds of the new complex vs. the old. There will be hundreds, maybe thousands, of kids living in these buildings.
 
Charlie_mta said:
I just hope there's no net loss of open space and playgrounds of the new complex vs. the old. There will be hundreds, maybe thousands, of kids living in these buildings.
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Master_Plan_Design_Goals_2023_14.jpg

2023 Community Presentation -- there is definitely a lot less open space. But there are also more than 400 additional units!

Note that the open space of the SW Corridor abutting remains unchanged.
 
JeffDowntown said:
View attachment 59084
2023 Community Presentation -- there is definitely a lot less open space. But there are also more than 400 additional units!

Note that the open space of the SW Corridor abutting remains unchanged.
Click to expand...
That is concerning. I grew up in a public housing project similar to, and of the same vintage as, the old Bromley-Heath project, and we had plenty of playgrounds, plus a public swimming pool up the street. That was Jefferson Park in North Cambridge. So, I think it basically sucks to cram in hundreds of low-income families with children into a dense multi-storied complex with not enough open space. I know low income housing is scarce and it's good that more units are being built, but come on.
 
Charlie_mta said:
That is concerning. I grew up in a public housing project similar to, and of the same vintage as, the old Bromley-Heath project, and we had plenty of playgrounds, plus a public swimming pool up the street. That was Jefferson Park in North Cambridge. So, I think it basically sucks to cram in hundreds of low-income families with children into a dense multi-storied complex with not enough open space. I know low income housing is scarce and it's good that more units are being built, but come on.
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We can and should be able to have our cake and eat it, too, here.

Ideally, the Southwest Corridor would be decked over from Centre to Atherton for more open space. That would be 7 acres. For example,. this would be plenty of space for:
  • Trails (~1 acre):
    • Pedestrian Trail (~2 meters wide, asphalt) and Multi-Use Trail (~3 meters wide, asphalt), in addition to the existing sidewalk.
    • Both trails run parallel along the western edge of the park, connecting to the rest of the Southwest Corridor network.
    • Landscaped buffer (trees and shrubs) separates the trails for safety and aesthetics.
  • Playground and Family Zone (~1.25 acres)
  • Open Green Space (~1.75 acres)
  • Dog Park (~0.5 acre)
  • Sports Facility (~0.75 acre)
  • Community Garden (~0.25 acre)
  • Water Feature and Picnic Area (~0.5 acre)
  • Wooded or Natural Area (~1 acre)
 
JeffDowntown said:
View attachment 59084
2023 Community Presentation -- there is definitely a lot less open space. But there are also more than 400 additional units!

Note that the open space of the SW Corridor abutting remains unchanged.
Click to expand...

There's a lot more *useable* public space in the new design. The old "open space" was mostly parking lots and service roads.
In the new design, the landscaped space between buildings is now only accessible by walking or biking. The new playground on Bickford St is already built.

In the December 2023 design presentation, the first segment of Lamartine St off of Centre St is changed to a landscaped area with a shared use path and plaza. So Lamartine Street won't be open to motor vehicles at Centre St. (The render quoted above is old and shows Lamartine St with an intersection at Centre St.)

Long term the issue will be maintenance, which is always the bottom of the list in public housing, so perhaps the mixed-income aspect will result in better stewardship of the open space.
 
Yea I dont think anyone on earth would think this looks good. Theres no reason to do it this way either, with the exact same massing and materials you can make much better looking buildings, just by arranging it better. The zig zag checkerboard thing NEVER looks good. Just stick to the basics, trying to make every building scream “look at me!” doesnt look good. Normal would have worked fine here.
 
mssrro said:
2/17

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I really like some of the original brick buildings better (like the one on the right in the above photo). I like the way they were positioned at various angles and spread out a bit more, more homey and personable. The new ones appear massive and soulless, but part of that could be their incomplete state. Once the siding is all on, the landscaping matures, and a few years of weathering go by, they will hopefully look a bit friendlier.
 
They seem to be terrified of using brick on any of the buildings that replace these old project buildings, but almost all of the best looking 5 over 1’s have some brick in the facade. Its unfortunate that theyre not making the facades a bit higher quality that will age better and stand the test of time more than this party panel crap.
 
stick n move said:
They seem to be terrified of using brick on any of the buildings that replace these old project buildings, but almost all of the best looking 5 over 1’s have some brick in the facade. Its unfortunate that theyre not making the facades a bit higher quality that will age better and stand the test of time more than this party panel crap.
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Exactly. Brick on some portions of the new buildings could add some feeing of warmth, plus give a nod to the historical context of the old housing project.
 
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