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BOSTON’S WATERFRONT: 2015

Next month, I become President and CEO of Riverlife, an organization which works to reclaim, restore, and promote Pittsburgh’s riverfronts.  Riverlife’s vision calls for a grand, 13-mile continuous system of riverfront parks and trails, and large numbers of visitors and residents are already enjoying the existing riverfront open spaces and amenities.

As I prepare to leave The Boston Harbor Association after 24 years, I am reminded of the dedicated efforts of so many people to help transform Boston’s waterfront.  During that time, we have been fortunate to have had the strong support of each Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate President, as well as Boston Mayors Ray Flynn, Tom Menino, and Marty Walsh.  Bipartisan political support, and the efforts of Judges Garrity, Mazzone, and Stearns and of public agency staffs, helped to make possible the clean up of Boston Harbor, restoration of Boston Harbor beaches, and enhancement of Boston Harbor Islands.  The 41-mile HarborWalk public access network through Boston’s six waterfront neighborhoods, constructed by waterfront property owners in response to state tidelands requirements, is used and enjoyed by thousands of people every day.

The transformation of Boston’s waterfront is extraordinary, and is a model for other waterfront communities. Thank you to all of you for your support of our efforts in the revitalization of Boston Harbor. 

The Boston Harbor Association’s Working Port Priority

The Boston Harbor Association is committed to preserving and promoting Boston Harbor as a Working Port. In the last five years, as Boston’s waterfront has become more inviting to the public, efforts have intensified to utilize land once dedicated solely to maritime uses for non-water dependent uses. Escalating real estate values continue to threaten the displacement of small businesses and maritime users from the waterfront in favor of non-water dependent residential, commercial and office uses. The Boston Harbor Association’s Board of Trustees has made the promotion and protection of the Working Port and Designated Port Areas in Boston a top priority.

Thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Managers of the Boston Port & Seamen’s Aid Society, The Boston Harbor Association is the leading advocate, together with the Society and the Massachusetts Port Authority, in promotion of Boston’s Working Port. As part of the initial effort, The Boston Harbor Association is working on the development of a coalition of maritime industrial and related users to promote the Working Port.

In June 2003, TBHA released its comprehensive Designated Port Area (DPA) study, entitled Inside the Working Port: A Study of Boston’s Designated Port Areas. This report is intended to provide a framework for discussions about current and future waterfront development. It also indicates the importance of marine industry to the Greater Boston region and highlights the necessity of further incentives to promotion of the Working Port. For a free copy of the DPA report, please contact The Boston Harbor Association at 617-482-1722.

Boston Harbor’s Working Port

Designated Port Areas were first created in 1978 by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management to encourage and promote maritime industrial interests. These unique waterfront locations boast characteristics such as deep-water access, established land transportation links, and a significant public utilities infrastructure. Four of the state’s eleven Designated Port Areas are found within Boston’s Working Port in Chelsea, East Boston, South Boston, and along the Mystic River.

Long the focus of New England’s trade and economy, Boston’s Working Port generates $8 billion in economic impact and provides 9,000 jobs annually. Current industries in the Port of Boston includes energy facilities, fish processing, automobile imports, cruise ship terminals, boat building, ship repair, and tugboat operations. Many of these industries have tremendous tradition and economic importance for Boston and the surrounding region. Massport’s Fish Pier in South Boston, the oldest continuously working fish pier in the country, is currently fully occupied, with twenty fish processors, admiralty law firms, seafood brokers, and a popular seafood restaurant. Between twelve and fifteen fishing boats dock at the Pier daily. The Fish Auction, held at 6:30 a.m. on days when fishing boats unload their catch, often sets fish prices for the New England area. More than 23 million pounds of fish are processed annually at the Fish Pier, of which 8 million arrive by fishing vessels which dock at the Pier.

Did you know that in 2002… 

  • More than 830 ships brought more than 17 million tons of cargo to the Port of Boston? 
  • Over 75,000 automobiles came by ship to the Port of Boston for the region?
  • More than 93 cruise ships and 200,000 passengers passed through the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal in South Boston? 
  • Boston was served by direct weekly outbound and inbound cargo service to Asia.
  • Top New England imports included beer & ale, wine, footwear, furniture, paper, plastic products, and fish. 
  • Top New England exports included scrap metal, waste paper, lumber, metal ware, medical equipment, and grocery products.

Chelsea Creek

Chelsea Creek is a critical component of Boston’s Working Port. The relatively small, 2.6-miles of waterfront is the entryway for nearly 70% of the fuel oil coming through Boston Harbor. The area provides storage for 100% of the jet fuel used at Boston’s Logan International Airport and is also the gateway for the road salt used by more nearly 200 communities in Massachusetts and the state-owned roadways. To accommodate these maritime-dependent industrial uses, much of the Chelsea Creek waterfront is in a Designated Port Area (DPA).

Beginning in 2001, The Boston Harbor Association helped to bring public attention to the maritime industrial uses along Chelsea Creek. At a Working Port Forum in 2001 and through free Chelsea Creek Cruises for the general public during the past two years, TBHA has successfully brought together diverse stakeholders to examine the complex issues surrounding the current and future uses of Chelsea Creek in order to create a balanced approach to planning processes. These stakeholders include harbor users, industry, citizens, environmentalists, community activists, developers and policy makers.

During Summer 2003, The Boston Harbor Association organized two free public boat cruises of Chelsea Creek and the Lower Mystic River. Over 225 attendees received unique waterside perspectives on these two waterways, highlighting maritime industrial uses and Boston’s newest Urban Wild. Guest speakers included representatives from maritime industry, energy, and open space and community organizations. To learn more similar opportunities in the future, please call TBHA at (617) 482-1722.

In addition to this public education effort, The Boston Harbor Association’s three-year old partnership with Eastern Salt Company, Inc., provided the only free trips for young people to leave from the Chelsea waterfront and travel directly to the Harbor Islands. Once on the water, participants learn about activities in Boston’s Port, basics of map use and navigation, and water quality issues. Chelsea Boys and Girls Club and the Chelsea YMCA participated in this year’s program.

The Chelsea Creek Action Group (CCAG), together with the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing and the Chelsea Green Space and Recreation Committee, has recently concluded a yearlong Visioning Process to discuss the future of Chelsea Creek. Community goals included requests for substantial open space additions and improved waterfront public access opportunities. Concerns included environmental conditions at current waterfront sites, increased local traffic, and the need for affordable housing. Additional information is available from the Chelsea Green Space and Recreational Committee at (617) 889-6080 or the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing at (617) 569-0059.

PREPARING FOR THE RISING TIDE REPORT

Events such as Superstorm Sandy highlight the growing relevance of climate change and draw attention to the importance of taking steps today to be prepared for the likely events of tomorrow.  Preparing for the Rising Tide provides policy makers, planners and property owners with site-specific examples of how to assess vulnerability and increase resilience to coastal flooding over time. 

Preparedness plans need to be robust enough to handle any future condition, and/or flexible enough to change over time to meet needs as they arise.  Ideally they include “no-regret” and co-benefit” solutions that extend beyond flood control goals.  Cost-effective preparedness plans will result in both “here and now” and “prepare and monitor” actions based on threshold triggers such as sea level rise.

Previous reports have described a range of large-scale adaptation strategies.  This report takes those recommendations and applies them to specific properties in Boston.  Some cities such as Seattle, WA and Charleston, SC are developing “floodable zones” that preserve the city’s access to its waterfront while minimizing damage when periodic flooding occurs.  This concept of “living with water” is an option to consider in Boston as well.

BOSTON HARBOR SEA LEVEL RISE MAPS

Drs. Paul Kirshen and Ellen Douglas and Mr. Chris Watson developed these maps in 2010 to show the impact of 2.5 feet, 5 feet and 7.5 feet of flooding above mean high tide on the Boston Harbor coastline.  As they explained in their presentation, this flooding can occur through one or more of three main reasons:  1) sea level rise, 2) astronomical high tides (when the moon and the sun align) and 3) storm surges.  

Climate change is already increasing the likelihood of coastal and riparian (river) flooding due to sea level rise and extreme weather events.  Astronomical high tides occur four to six times every year.  As the impacts of climate change are increasingly felt, we can expect coastal flooding events to become more frequent and more severe, even during this century. 

Methodology

To Download Maps

These maps are free for public use; please credit The Boston Harbor Association.  To download high-resolution versions, click once on the image of the map to pull up a larger version.  Right click on the larger map and select “Save As.”  If you right click on the smaller version of the map, you will only download a low-resolution image.

Study Area Maps

  • 1890’s
  • Plus 2.5 feet of flooding from all sources
  • Plus 5.0 feet of flooding from all sources
  • Plus 7.5 feet of flooding from all sources

East Boston, Everett and Chelsea Maps

  • 1890’s
  • Plus 2.5 feet of flooding from all sources
  • Plus 5.0 feet of flooding from all sources
  • Plus 7.5 feet of flooding from all sources

Inner Harbor Maps

  • 1890’s
  • Plus 2.5 feet of flooding from all sources
  • Plus 5.0 feet of flooding from all sources
  • Plus 7.5 feet of flooding from all sources

Dorchester and Quincy Maps

  • 1890’s
  • Plus 2.5 feet of flooding from all sources
  • Plus 5.0 feet of flooding from all sources
  • Plus 7.5 feet of flooding from all sources

Quincy Beaches: Wollaston Beach

A view from the walkway at
Wollaston Beach

Wollaston Beach is the largest Boston Harbor beach, providing more than one and a half miles of shoreline access. This urban beach features a continuous walkway, seawall, and concession stands on the land side of Quincy Shore Drive. The Brett Bathhouse contains outdoor showers and enclosed changing areas. Easy access is available to park areas and a new tot lot at Caddy Park. Recent improvements of Wollaston Beach include new sand and improved handicapped access. Future plans to be completed within three years include additional resanding, traffic calming measures and new, safer pedestrian walkways and crossings that will provide access to a multi-use pathway, shade shelters, benches and tot lots. Construction of these improvements should begin in early 2003. Wollaston Beach is owned and operated by the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The City of Quincy, the MDC, The Boston Harbor Association, and the Wollaston Beach Task Force are currently working together to resolve water quality problems. As part of the plan to address these issues, The Department of Conservation and Recreation recently filed an Interim Assessment for Quincy Shore Reservation, Wollaston Beach Restoration Project. The document identifies the impacts and mitigation measures related to five main elements of the restoration project, including the proposed beach nourishment, stormwater management, shore protection, site amenities and landscaping, and transportation. The replacement of catchbasins and installation of particle separators will be key in removing total suspended solids and improving water quality. Copies of the Assessment are available by calling 508-903-2078. Many of the recommendations for water quality improvements are outlined in the “Plan to Restore Water Quality at Wollaston Beach”, 1999. Copies of the Plan’s Executive Summary are available from TBHA by calling 617-482-1722.

Access: 

Wollaston Beach is directly accessible by foot from the many residential neighborhoods along Quincy Shore Drive. Ample parking is also available. Take Wollaston Beach/Ashmont Bus #217 from the MBTA Red Line’s Wollaston station, or walk along Beach Street from the Wollaston T Station.

The Boston Harbor Association’s Year 2000 Events for Boston Harbor

November 15 – 16th Annual Build Boston Conference
10:00 a.m. – noon
World Trade Center Boston


Panel discussion of Boston’s Municipal Harbor Plan including TBHA’s Vivien
Li.

* * * * * *

JUNE

June 3 – Islands Management Plan Public Meeting
Saturday, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
John F. Kennedy Library
Columbia Point, Dorchester

The Boston Harbor Islands Partnership has released their Draft Management Plan for the Islands. Join the Harbor Islands Advisory Council for this public meeting during the 60 day public comment period.

June 19 – Islands Management Plan Public Meeting
Monday, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Salem Maritime National Historic Site Visitor Center
2 New Liberty Street, Salem

The Boston Harbor Islands Partnership has released their Draft Management Plan for the Islands. Join the Harbor Islands Advisory Council for this public meeting during the 60 day public comment period.

June 20 – Grading the Walk Tour, Waterfront Walking Tour
East Boston Waterfront
Tuesday, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

With support from the Department of Environmental Management’s Coastal Access Grant program, The Boston Harbor Association established the “Grading the Walk” program to involve the public in evaluating existing conditions and recommending improvements to the HarborWalk. Join us for this tour of East Boston. Issues such as connections to the Harbor, lighting, seating, and open space will be evaluated. TBHA will incorporate your suggestions into our efforts to improve HarborWalk. Meet at the street level of the Maverick Square T Stop. Free.

June 20 – Islands Management Plan Public Meeting
Tuesday, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Quincy City Council Chambers
1305 Hancock Street, Quincy

The Boston Harbor Islands Partnership has released their Draft Management Plan for the Islands. Join the Harbor Islands Advisory Council for this public meeting during the 60 day public comment period.

June 22 – Islands Management Plan Public Meeting
Thursday, 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Hull Senior Center
197 Samoset Avenue, Hull

The Boston Harbor Islands Partnership has released their Draft Management Plan for the Islands. Join the Harbor Islands Advisory Council for this public meeting during the 60 day public comment period.

June 26 – TBHA Harbor Use Committee Meeting
Monday, 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
TBHA Office, 374 Congress Street, Suite 609, Boston

The Boston Harbor Association’s Harbor Use Committee Meeting Agenda is as follows:

1. Update and discussion on Residences at 371-401 D Street-Robert Maloney, Managing Director, Cathartes Investments, and Jim Lydon, Daylor Consulting Group (public comment period on Draft Project Impact Report ends 10 July 2000). 

2. Update and discussion on proposed South Boston development proposals (note: comment period for The McCourt Company’s Gateway Project ends 14 July, and comment period for Pritzker’s Fan Pier Development ends 5 July). Light refreshments will be available.

June 26 – Islands Management Plan Public Meeting
Monday, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Winthrop Senior Center
35 Harvard Street, Winthrop

The Boston Harbor Islands Partnership has released their Draft Management Plan for the Islands. Join the Harbor Islands Advisory Council for this public meeting during the 60 day public comment period.

June 27 – Islands Management Plan Public Meeting
Tuesday, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Faneuil Hall, Boston

The Boston Harbor Islands Partnership has released their Draft Management Plan for the Islands. Join the Harbor Islands Advisory Council for this public meeting during the 60 day public comment period.

June 28 – Special Preview
“Boston by Sea: Living History in Story, Sites, and Songs”

The Boston Harbor Association will be hosting a special preview of “Boston by Sea: Living History in Story, Sites, and Songs” on Wednesday evening June 28 at the University Park Hotel @ MIT, 20 Sidney Street, Cambridge (near Central Square). “Boston by Sea” is an interactive program involving theatre, song, and film that traces the history of Boston Harbor. A reception at 5 p.m. will precede the performance at 6:15 p.m. Admission is free to both the reception and the performance.

June 28 – Islands Management Plan Public Meeting
Wednesday, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Roxbury Multi Cultural Center
317 Blue Hill Avenue, Roxbury

The Boston Harbor Islands Partnership has released their Draft Management Plan for the Islands. Join the Harbor Islands Advisory Council for this public meeting during the 60 day public comment period.

June 29 – Islands Management Plan Public Meeting
Thursday, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.

Waltham Government Center, Arthur Clark Building, 119 School Street, Waltham

The Boston Harbor Islands Partnership has released their Draft Management Plan for the Islands. Join the Harbor Islands Advisory Council for this public meeting during the 60 day public comment period.

JULY

July 1 – Back to the Beaches Celebration
Saturday, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Carson Beach, South Boston

Join us for a free, fun, family-oriented “Back to the Beaches” celebration sponsored by the Metropolitan District Commission, the City of Boston, and The Boston Harbor Association. This event will feature concerts, volleyball, water sports, amusements, and much more. Prizes and giveaways from KISS 108 FM. Contact TBHA at (617) 482-1722 for additional information.

July 2 – Back to the Beaches Celebration
Sunday, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Pleasure Bay, South Boston

Join us for a free, fun, family-oriented “Back to the Beaches” celebration sponsored by the Metropolitan District Commission, the City of Boston, and The Boston Harbor Association. This event will feature concerts, volleyball, water sports, amusements, and much more. Prizes and giveaways from KISS 108 FM.

July 12 – Tall Ships Celebration at the Boston Marine Industrial Park
Wednesday, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Join friends and supporters of The Boston Harbor Association for a reception at the Boston Marine Industrial Park to celebrate the arrival of the Tall Ships. The reception will be in the credentials-only area of the Admiral’s Yard, adjacent to Dry Dock Avenue in view of the Tall Ships berths. Guests will be able to move freely before and after the reception to see the Tall Ships. Public Boarding of Tall Ships will be from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and viewing from the piers will be open until 10:00 p.m. Tickets are limited and will be issued on a first-come, first-serve basis. Reservation and payment of $50 per ticket must be received no later than July 3, 2000. To reserve space, please send a check, payable to The Boston Harbor Association.  Mail Payment to:

TBHA
374 Congress Street, Suite 609
Boston, MA 02210

Credentials and transportation information will be forwarded following receipt of payment.

July 13 – Thursday – Cruise Featuring Harbor Islands and Tall Ships, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (Boarding begins at 5:00 p.m.)

Join The Boston Harbor Association for an early evening harbor tour. Enjoy the special on-water views of the Boston Harbor Islands and Tall Ships participating in Sail Boston 2000. $30/Person. Light refreshments served.

Reservations required. Call for reservations and departure location.

SOLD OUT

July 23 – Back to the Beaches Celebration
Sunday, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Wollaston Beach, Quincy

Join us for a free, fun, family-oriented “Back to the Beaches” celebration sponsored by the Metropolitan District Commission, the City of Boston, and The Boston Harbor Association. This event will feature concerts, volleyball, water sports, amusements, and much more. Prizes and giveaways from KISS 108 FM. Contact TBHA at (617) 482-1722 for additional information.

July 26 – Reinventing the South Boston Waterfront, 6 p.m.
Federal Reserve Bank
600 Atlantic Avenue
Boston (across from South Station)

A Discussion on the “Opportunities for a Livable Seaport District.”  Sponsored by Boston Society of Landscape Architects. TBHA’s Vivien Li will moderate the panel discussion. Free.

July 29 – Back to the Beaches Celebration
Saturday, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Winthrop Beach

Join us for a free, fun, family-oriented “Back to the Beaches” celebration sponsored by the Metropolitan District Commission, the City of Boston, and The Boston Harbor Association. This event will feature concerts, volleyball, water sports, amusements, and much more. Prizes and giveaways from KISS 108 FM.

July 30 – Back to the Beaches Celebration
Sunday, 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Constitution Beach, East Boston

Join us for a free, fun, family-oriented “Back to the Beaches” celebration sponsored by the Metropolitan District Commission, the City of Boston, and The Boston Harbor Association. This event will feature concerts, volleyball, water sports, amusements, and much more. Prizes and giveaways from KISS 108 FM. C

SEPTEMBER

September 16 – Coastsweep

Join The Boston Harbor Association, NStar, and the Mystic River Watershed Association as they clean the lower Mystic River as part of the National COASTSWEEP Clean up on Saturday, 16 September, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. We will be repainting a small fish pier and removing debris from the banks of the lower Mystic River in Somerville, MA behind Assembly Square Mall on the Mystic Valley Parkway. A light breakfast, lunch, prizes, bags and gloves will be provided. To participate,

Driving Directions to the cleanup site:

Please Follow the Signs for COASTSWEEP!

  • Take 93 North
  • Exit 28 (Somerville, Sullivan Square)
  • At end of ramp take a right onto Cambridge Street
  • Once on Cambridge Street immediately get into the far left-hand lane
  • At this stop light go straight and veer left into a rotary
  • Continue to stay left on rotary
  • After passing the Route 1 North sign on your right, get into the far right hand lane (watch for merging traffic)
  • Turn right (your only choice is to turn right) onto Main Street
  • Stay in right-hand lane and follow Main Street for a few blocks
  • After passing a sign saying “Entering Somerville”, immediately turn right onto Assembly Square Drive
  • Stay on Assembly Square Drive (You will pass a Circuit City and a Loews Theater on your left-hand side)
  • At the first stop sign take a right onto Foley Street (Before Penske Auto Center)
  • Follow this road past a Global gas station on your right-hand side
  • Continue to follow the winding road and the signs for COASTSWEEP, which will lead you to the parking lot of the Winter Hill Yacht Club

Directions by Public Transport:

  • Take the Orange Line to Sullivan Square
  • Take the # 90 Bus to Assembly Square Mall
  • Get off the bus at the corner of Assembly Square Drive and Foley Street
  • Walk down Foley Street towards the Global gas station
  • Follow the winding road and the signs for COASTSWEEP, which will lead you to the parking lot of the Winter Hill Yacht Club. The walk should take 5 – 10 minutes

If you have any questions please feel free to contact The Boston Harbor Association at (617) 482-1722.

Grading the Walk” Waterfront Walking Tours
September 21st, October 3rd & October 24th

Join members of The Boston Harbor Association and our partners, the National Park Service and Boston Natural Areas Fund, for these “Grading the Walk” waterfront walking tours. You will help evaluate existing conditions and recommend improvements for the HarborWalk. Issues such as connections to the Harbor (water transportation, boat ramps, beach access), lighting, special features, connections to public transportation, seating, restrooms, and open space will be evaluated. Your suggestions will be incorporated into our efforts to improve HarborWalk. Wear comfortable walking shoes. 

September 21 (Thursday), 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. – Charlestown Navy Yard / Boston National Historical Park

Meet at 5:30 p.m. at Pier 4, Charlestown Navy Yard Water Shuttle. Sean Hennessey, National Park Service, and Vivien Li, The Boston Harbor Association, will lead the tour of the Boston National Historical Park and the Charlestown Navy Yard. Water shuttle departs from Long Wharf at 5:00 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. to Pier 4, Charlestown Navy Yard ($1 fare).

OCTOBER

October 3 (Tuesday), 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – East Boston Waterfront

Meet at 5:00 p.m. on the street level Maverick T Station (blue line) in East Boston. Valerie Burns and Lauri Webster of the Boston Natural Areas Fund and TBHA’s Vivien Li will lead the tour. We will focus on the area from Central Square to the Meridian Street Bridge. Sites which we will visit include: Liberty Plaza in a Designated Port Area with a water transit dock; Umana / Barnes Middle School with waterfront ballfields and the City’s first skateboard park; and Shore Plaza residential development with waterfront walkways. Please be prepared for a 2 mile walk.

October 24 (Tuesday) – HarborWalk Luncheon

Join TBHA members and friends at a 24 October 2000 luncheon presentation on the status of the HarborWalk. Slides from “Grading the Walk” tours over the last 18 months will be shown, covering the South Boston, Downtown, North End, East Boston, and Charlestown waterfronts. The luncheon is from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. at TBHA’s offices, 374 Congress Street, Boston.

NOVEMBER

November 15 – 16th Annual Build Boston Conference
10:00 a.m. – noon
World Trade Center Boston


Panel discussion of Boston’s Municipal Harbor Plan including TBHA’s Vivien
Li.

November 19
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
The Mall at Chestnut Hill

Start out the holiday shopping season by purchasing a $10 ticket to Charity Night, a private evening of shopping to benefit participating organizations, including TBHA.

DECEMBER

December 13 – “Harboring Boston’s Future”, 6 PM
Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library
Copley Square

Slide presentation by The Boston Harbor Association’s Executive Director Vivien Li on Boston’s waterfront.

13 December 2000, 6 p.m., Rabb Lecture Hall, Boston Public Library, Copley Square. Part of The Boston Society of Architects’ “Exploring Design” Lecture Series. Free.