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Columbia Point Master Plan


Neighborhood:	Dorchester
Type:	Community Planning
Status:	In Process
Project Manager:	Tad Read/ Jim Fitzgerald/ Lauren Shurtleff
Phone Number:	(617)918-4264/ (617)918-4327/ (617)918-4353
Email Address:	John.Read.BRA@cityofboston.gov James.Fitzgerald.BRA@cityofboston.gov Lauren.Shurtleff.BRA@cityofboston.gov
Last Updated:	10/20/2011
Master Plan:	Columbia Point Draft Master Plan � Executive Summary � June 2009

After an extensive public participation process that began in early 2008, the Columbia Point Master Plan has been completed and was adopted by the BRA Board in June 2011. Moving forward, the community will begin to see the plan implemented as development proposals emerge on Columbia Point. This web page provides a thorough record of the planning process, including all presentations and notes from 18 Master Plan Task Force meetings and 4 public meetings.

Background & Overview

Located within two miles and three subway stops from downtown Boston, the Columbia Point peninsula is home to some of Boston�s most important institutions � the University of Massachusetts, Boston (UMass Boston); the John F. Kennedy Library; the State Archives; the Boston Globe; Boston College High School; McCormack Middle School and Dever Elementary School; St. Christopher�s Church; and the Corcoran Jennison Companies, among others. It is also home to the approximately 3,500 residents who live in the Harbor Point community. Columbia Point�s setting on a peninsula provides for dramatic ocean views from a number of angles. It also boasts direct access to Interstate 93, intra-city connections via Morrissey Boulevard (one of the City�s primary arterials) and a high level of transit service at the MBTA�s JFK/UMass Station with both Red Line and Commuter Rail access. The Boston HARBORWALK also extends along the perimeter of Columbia Point.

Despite its location and wealth of cultural institutions, Columbia Point remains isolated from the rest of Dorchester and from neighboring South Boston. The pedestrian environment on Columbia Point is particularly harsh, with streets that do nothing to encourage the urban vitality and interaction that are prevalent elsewhere in the City. Vehicular travel is no better; Morrissey Boulevard often floods, resulting in the roadway�s closure at its southern end, diverting traffic back to the Kosciuszko Circle. To a certain extent, Columbia Point is even isolated from itself; its residents, employees, students, and tourists are completely disconnected from each other. Moreover, from the interior vantage points on the site, it is possible to forget that Dorchester Bay is just steps away. A cohesive Master Plan will serve to connect these disparate elements and unlock the potential of the site.

In addition, there are a number of significant development proposals being discussed in Columbia Point. For example, UMass Boston has recently completed a 25-year Master Plan for its campus (for more information, visit: http://www.umb.edu/Why_UMass/master_plan), and has begun moving forward with construction of a new Science Center. The MBTA is also planning to sell the air rights for development above the JFK/UMass Station area.

Individually and collectively, these proposals have major implications for the future of the Columbia Point neighborhood. Because of their scale, proximity, and inevitable interaction, it is critical that they be fully coordinated. This was the primary impetus for the BRA to work with the project proponents and members of the local community to prepare a Master Plan for Columbia Point.

In August 2007, the BRA began a process to prepare a Master Plan for the Columbia Point peninsula. The major goals of the Master Plan were the following:

1. Create a comprehensive vision and sustainable plan for Columbia Point.

2. Ensure adequate transportation infrastructure to support new development.

3. Improve connections to and within Columbia Point.

4. Enhance the public realm, especially for pedestrians.

5. Coordinate plans for new development.

Project Area

The Master Plan Study Area, shown in the Study Area map below, is generally bounded by Dorchester Bay and Interstate 93. The area is just over 400 acres in size. While the Master Plan work focused on the Study Area, the scope of work reached outside the area for purposes of transportation modeling and public outreach.

Public Participation & the Community Task Force

At the start of the process, a Task Force was formed to advise the BRA on planning process, policy, and public participation. The Task Force was appointed by Mayor Thomas M. Menino, based on nominations received from the community and elected officials. With 17 official members and several ex-officio members, the Task Force has held regular working sessions, which have been open to the public. Additionally, the Task Force has sponsored multiple community meetings designed to engage the public directly in a dialogue about the future of Columbia Point. The Master Plan Task Force had conducted 18 meetings to discuss the Master Plan and the BRA had convened four community-wide meetings to elicit broad community participation in the Master Plan. Presentations and minutes from all of these meetings, as well as a list of the Task Force members, are posted below under �Publications�.

In July 2009, after extensive participation by the Task Force and members of the public, the BRA released the Draft Master Plan. Following release of the Draft Master Plan, the Task Force held two meetings to review, discuss, and provide comments to BRA staff. Additionally, in September 2009 the BRA and Task Force jointly hosted a community-wide meeting on the Draft Plan. Presentation materials from this meeting are posted below. Following the September 2009 public meeting, the BRA extended the public comment period on the Master Plan to allow for more opportunity to hear from the public. Copies of all public comments received through mid-December 2009 are posted at the top of the �Publications� section below.

Additionally, in December 2009 UMass Boston announced that it had entered into an agreement to purchase the Bayside Exposition Center site. This acquisition would shift approximately 20 acres of the land in the Master Plan Study Area into the hands of UMass Boston, a State entity. While a change in ownership to UMass Boston means that the BRA no longer has regulatory authority over land use on the property, the BRA anticipates that UMass Boston will continue to have an open dialogue with the City and community as they prepare future plans for the site. Moreover, most of the redevelopment properties in Master Plan Study Area--including the Synergy, MBTA air rights, Boston Globe, Channel 56, and Sovereign Bank properties--remain under the purview of the Columbia Point Master Plan.

June 16, 2011 BRA Board Meeting: Master Plan Approved

On June 16, 2011, the BRA Board voted unanimously to approve the final Columbia Point Master Plan. A copy of the final Master Plan can be viewed below.

Consultants

On August 29, 2007 the BRA issued a Request for Proposals to identify a consultant team to assist in preparation of the Master Plan. After a competitive selection process, on November 15, 2007, the BRA Board approved the selection of the consulting firm of Crosby, Schlessinger & Smallridge to assist the BRA in preparing the Master Plan.

Columbia Point Aerial
Columbia Point Study Area