12/10 Meeting on Charlesview

Come out to voice your opinion!

I’ve been trying to add Allston related events to following public google calender:

http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=qruirkfmg1nautt4c9kug296vc%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York

Brookline Machine still in play?

As stated previously in this blog Brookline Machine should be added to the new Charlesview acreage to further reduce density and add open space/public use area.

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from Rourke, Jay
date Tue, Nov 17, 2009 at 6:04 AM
subject Public Hearing - The Redevelopment of Charlesview

Allston/Brighton Community:

The BRA feels that the Charlesview redevelopment project has completed the public process and is ready for consideration by the BRA Board of Directors for approval. Nonetheless, it will be removed from tomorrow night’s agenda because there is no finalized agreement between Harvard University and the BRA concerning the future of the adjacent Brookline Machinery site. The public hearing will be rescheduled and re-advertised once a satisfactory agreement with Harvard has been achieved.

Regards,

Jay

Revised Charlesview Plan

Is the third time the charm?

http://www.scribd.com/doc/22530948/Revisions-The-Charles-View-Redevelopment

For those following the Charlesview relocation this is the third revision to the plan to move Charlesview from its current location blocking Harvard’s contiguous access to its other Allston properties to taking over the land held by the long defunct K-Mart/Office Max location.

Less density and less height seem like sound steps in the right direction.  Likewise increase in retail space is good.  The claim is made that open space is maintained constant relative to the last proposal.

Is it me or did they put a building in the middle of the promenade/park adjacent to the proposed Telford St?

This proposal still doesn’t answer some important questions:

1. Is this development going to be financially sound - i.e. will it fall into disrepair like the current Charlesview?  Is it dependent on higher fees paid by people living in the Telford building?

2. What about Brookline Machine?  This lot is literally surrounded by the new development and I can’t see what Harvard would possibly do with land except give it to Charlesview.

Other comments:

1. I’m ok with 5 story buildings on Western Ave.  Its done on Cambridge St and I don’t think its unreasonable.  The first proposal of, what was it, 9 stories did seem way too tall.

2. The design does successfully have a tree lined “path” to the river.  This is really needed.  I’m not sure how many people take evening walks in the neighborhood, but its less than tree lined.  This would be enhanced by more open space adjacent to that path as proposed in the second proposal - think JFK park on the other side of the river in Cambridge.

3. Most importantly and the thrust of our blog - this does something with a decent and visible chunk of Harvard’s unused and derelict Harvard land.  We just need to ensure this is the best possible plan we can get.

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Note this proposal is being released right before the next BRA meeting on Tuesday.  Accompanying e-mail message:

“Allston/Brighton Community:

Please see the attached revisions to the Charlesview Redevelopment proposal

In response to comments raised during the review of the Draft Project Impact Report (“DPIR”) and Development Plan, the Proponent has already requested a reduction of twenty (20) rental units on the Brighton Mills Site from two hundred and sixty (260) rental units to two hundred and forty (240) units. The Proponent is now requesting a reduction of height on the Telford Site to seven (7) stories and a reduction of height on the Western Avenue buildings on the Brighton Mills Site to primarily five (5) stories.

Please contact me should you have any questions.

Regards,

Jay

<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>

Jay Rourke

Senior Project Manager

Boston Redevelopment Authority

One City Hall Plaza

Boston Massachusetts 02201

617.918.4317 - w

617.742.7783 - f

jay.rourke.bra@cityofboston.gov”

Harvard has more money to spend…

…and I can think of a few places that could use more funding.

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=529806