Planning Initiatives

The Fort Point Channel has the potential to become the next great place in the City of Boston. It is here that the downtown and its commercial waterfront meet the South Boston waterfront. The bridge crossings, the streets and promenades along its edges, together with boat activity, water transportation, public uses and piers within the Channel, create a dynamic setting for a variety of uses on land.

The BRA's public realm plan for the South Boston Waterfront suggests that the Fort Point Channel become the location of a wide range of water's edge and "floating" public uses, including piers, docks and landings for cultural attractions, recreational boating, and simple sightseeing. The City's challenge is to balance these public uses with the activities associated with the existing water-dependent uses along the Channel, including The Gillette Company, Neptune Marine Services, and Hook Lobster, and improving water transportation. Beyond simply balancing, the ideal would be to encourage a seamless waterfront system that is active, both recreationally and commercially, and a water's edge that encourages the public to watch and wonder and learn about all of the many activities that make Boston the vibrant place that it is.

To determine how to take better advantage of the Fort Point Channel's potential, the BRA has initiated the Fort Point Channel watersheet planning process. The process is being managed by a public-private partnership that includes three entities: the BRA, the Fort Point Channel Abutters Group, and the Fort Point Channel Working Group. Goody Clancy and Associates, an urban design firm, has been engaged to conduct the planning process and develop the plan.

The Fort Point Channel Working Group has been meeting monthly for the past six months and has conducted two public Charrettes. A draft Watersheet Activation Plan is expected to be released for public comment at the beginning of August. A website for this process is being maintained by Goody Clancy and Associates at www.gcassoc.com/planning/fpc where materials can be reviewed.

1. Fort Point Channel Watersheet Activation Plan
   
2. Appendices Index
   
3. Appendix A
   
4. Appendix B
   
5. Appendix C
   
6. Appendix D
   
7. Appendix E
   
8. Appendix F
   
9. Abutters Group Appointment of MC to Ops Board
   
10. Executed Escrow Agreement
    
11. Operations Board MOU Boston Properties Signature
    
12. Operations Board MOU BRA Signature
    
13. Operations Board MOU EEA Signature
    
14. MOU-Fort Point Channel FINAL 1 30 12
    
15. Russia Wharf License 11419