15 Necco (formerly GE) Life Sciences Project Enters Community Review

updated 1/14/20 with January 6th Public Community Meeting presentation posted under Meetings below.

The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) is hosting two public meetings to solicit feedback on the proposed new development at 15 Necco Street. GE and MassDevelopment sold the two historic Necco buildings and parcel to National Development and Alexandria Real Estate Equities earlier this year. 

The Proponent proposes the construction of a new, 12-story, approximately 316,000 square-foot, multi-tenant office/life sciences/research and development building with active ground floor uses, such as retail and restaurant spaces within the southern portion of the Project Site (15 Necco Street). Because of the Project Site's proximity to public transit and nearby public parking facilities, the new building is not proposed to include any underground parking.  Depicted below is the new building design.

MEETINGS

January 6th: BPDA Public Community meeting. View Presentation.

December 18th: Boston Harbor Now Harbor Use Meeting 

December 17th: BCDC Committee Meeting. View Presentation. 

December 3d: Boston Design Civic Commission Meeting held December 3d. View presentation.

November 21st: The first meeting of the Impact Advisory Group. 

VIEW PROJECT DOCUMENTS

On Tuesday, November 5th, 2019, ARE-MA No. 74, LLC, which is a joint venture between affiliates of Alexandria Real Estate Equities ("ARE") and National Development, and ARE-MA No. 72, LLC, an affiliate of ARE (collectively, the "Proponent"), filed a Notice of Project Change ("NPC") with the Boston Planning & Development Agency ("BPDA") for 5 and 15 Necco Street, which comprise an approximately 2.7-acre site in the Fort Point neighborhood of Boston and for which the General Electric Company (GE) Headquarters Project was previously slated for construction. 

Concurrently with this NPC, the Proponent also filed a proposed Amended and Restated Development Plan for 5 and 15 Necco Street, South Boston, Massachusetts, within Planned Development Area No. 69, South Boston/The 100 Acres and a proposed Fifth Amendment to the Master Plan for Planned Development Area No. 69, South Boston/The 100 Acres. The previously approved project was contemplated to include GE occupancy in both 5 Necco Street and the new office building at 15 Necco Street. GE will now occupy office space only at 5 Necco Street. 

Comment Deadline: January 17, 2020
Send comments to Aisling Kerr, BPDA Project Manager

originally published 11.14.19

Related Beal Fort Point's Newest Neighbor

Today P&G Gillette sold their 6.5 Acre Channelside parking lot adjacent to the former GE Headquarters to Related Beal, making Related Beal Fort Point's newest neighbor. The 6.5 acre property is bordered by A Street and the Fort Point Channel, and Binford Street & Necco Court (Garage Access Road). 

Kara Buckley, Communications Leader at P&G Gillette told the Fort Point Neighborhood Association (FPNA) "We believe we have found a strong partner in Related Beal. The company has developed some of the most recognized buildings and complicated projects in the area, including Congress Square, the Seaport’s Innovation Square life science campus, The Clarendon, One Back Bay, Lovejoy Wharf and The Beverly, a mixed-use development in downtown Boston. We also saw a very thoughtful proposal from Related Beal – including the potential for life sciences, strong residential, attractive open spaces and view corridors, and a willingness to work with the community along the way. Overall, we believe this will be an exciting development for the neighborhood – and are looking forward to seeing the potential become a reality." 

The Fort Point Neighborhood Association (FPNA) looks forward to working with Related Beal on the development of this important parcel to the neighborhood as well as continuing our good relationship with long time neighbor, P&G Gillette. 

The news of this sale coupled with last week's announcement that Alexandria Real Estate Equities and National Development acquired the MassDevelopment GE 2.7 acre parcel, which includes the two historic Necco Court buildings and the adjacent GE Headquarters parcel, will create a vibrant expansion of the Fort Point neighborhood. GE will continue to complete the HarborWalk improvements and the renovation of the Necco Court buildings including the green pedestrian bridge. GE plans to move employees from nearby Farnsworth Street into the refurbished Necco Court buildings later this year.

Both newly acquired parcels are part of the City of Boston's Imagine Boston 2030, 100 Acres Master Plan for Fort Point, South Boston Municipal Harbor Plan Amendment, South Boston Coastal Resilience Report and Resilient Boston Harbor vision. 

This is a significant moment for the future growth and mixed development of the Fort Point neighborhood. The 100 Acres Master Plan is the culmination of over five years of collaboration between residents, property owners, and City and State agencies. Two core principles of the plan essential to the neighborhood are one-third housing development with an expansion of artist housing and on-site affordable units, and the creation of the Fort Point Park and Channel Park on the properties. The parks play a critical role in the City's coastal resilience solutions to protect the neighborhood from sea level rise and flooding. The need for civic community space is also well documented in the neighborhood. 

FPNA April Gathering Features Future Development of Fort Point

FPNA cordially invites

Fort Point and Seaport Neighbors

to gather together on

Tuesday, April 30, 2019
6 pm sharp
Capital One Café
57 Seaport Blvd

featuring

Future Development of Fort Point
100 Acres Master Plan

in context with
pending sales of 
Gillette Parking Lot and GE parcel (9.2 total acres)
&
Coastal Resilience: Channel Park & Fort Point Park 

with special guest

Richard McGuinness
Deputy Director for Climate Change and Environmental Planning
Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA)

plus

Love Your Block Volunteer Days
Corporate Volunteer Day, May 10 (11 am - 2 pm)
Resident Volunteer Day, May 11 (10 am - 3 pm)

and

Neighborhood News & Updates
including a neighborhood conversation 
about retail cannabis establishments

Special thanks to Capital One Cafe for hosting and providing treats.

originally published 4.18.19

FPNA February Gathering Features GE, Seaport World Trade Center & Neighborhood News

Join FPNA

for 

A Fort Point Seaport 

Neighborhood Gathering 

Tuesday, February 26, 2019
6 pm - 8 pm
Capital One Café
2nd floor, 57 Seaport Blvd.

featuring
Commonwealth Pier (Seaport World Trade Center)

Reactivation Project 
200 Seaport Boulevard
View Project Notification Filing

&

GE: An Update To The Neighborhood

Peter Cavanaugh, Ecosystem Transformation Leader

Jim McGaugh, Executive Director & Counsel, Government Affairs

with

 Neighborhood Updates & Discussion


Special thanks to Capital One Café for hosting.

originally posted 2.18.19

GE Innovation Point February 2019 Construction Update

GE Innovation Point is transforming as reconstruction continues along the Harborwalk as the weather permits, windows continue to be installed, lots of steel, roof work and expect to see the metal skin of the green pedestrian bridge removed along with other structural improvements. 

·         Pedestrian traffic has been relocated onto the first phase of the Harborwalk sidewalk.  The balance of the Harborwalk reconstruction, Phase 2, from the trailers to Necco Ct. is continuing as weather permits.  Overlook deck framing is complete, deck construction will continue as weather permits.  The Phase 2 harborwalk concrete sidewalk will be placed as weather conditions permit.  Temporary access to the dock is maintained daily.  Landscaping and certain plantings will be completed in the early spring of 2019 to meet planting season requirements. 

·         Temporary heating units have been installed and are providing heat through temporary ducts from both the west face and the east face of the buildings.  These units will remain in operation throughout the winter months.  Certain portions of the building are being wrapped or tented to allow masonry, concrete, and other construction to continue.  The openings in the building are being closed up on a permanent basis as work progresses.

·         Structural steel erection for the west building high roof, mechanical screen supports and 6^th floor is complete.  Concrete has been placed on the 6^th floor.  The concrete high roof deck slab will be placed on the west building during February, after which placement of the permanent roofing will commence.

·         Structural steel erection for the east building will complete in February.  The east building steel has been tied into the glass enclosure structure between the buildings.  The low roof steel and deck are in place, the high roof steel structure and mechanical screen supports above the low roof are being erected.   With completion of the low roof the new concrete block stair shaft masonry work in the northwest corner of the building is underway and will complete this month.  The northwest corner of the concrete decks on the 2^nd through 5^th floors of the east building are being prepared for concrete now that the stair shaft is above the low roof.   Preparations for placement of the low roof concrete deck are underway and will complete this month.  The placement of permanent roofing on the east building will commence once the concrete decks are placed. 

·         The crane continues to support the erection of the structural steel.  The current crawler crane will be removed from the site mid-February.  Mobile cranes will be used as additional equipment and materials need to be hoisted into the building.

·         Cutting and repointing of the exterior masonry façades is one of the activities that is temperature sensitive.   Cutting and repointing is continuing in the area that has been tented and heated between the buildings.  Washing of the masonry facades has been postponed until temperatures permit completion of this work. 

·         The construction of the new large openings in the south and west faces of the first floor of the west building and on the south face of the east building continues.   Once the opening is made, steel framing is placed supporting the existing masonry wall, then the masonry is reconstructed around the steel frame.  The work on the large openings will continue. 

·         Window installation is continuing in both buildings.  Caulking and sealing around the new windows as well as placement of window trim is in progress and will continue. 

·         Rough-in of interior walls and interior masonry restoration is underway in the west building.  Mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire protection rough-in is continuing on the first 4 floors of the west building.  This will expand onto the 5^th floor once the permanent roof is in place.  Rough in of the ductwork and piping risers in the west building core is complete.

·         Rough-in of interior walls and interior masonry restoration is underway in the east building.  The mezzanine level partitions are constructed with building infrastructure installation underway.  Electrical, mechanical and plumbing rough-in is continuing in the first 3 floors of the east building.  Rough in of the ductwork and piping risers is nearing completion in the core of the east building.  The passenger and freight elevator installation will begin in late February.

·         The new column for the Necco Ct. bridge has been placed.  The base of the column will be encased in concrete to protect it from vehicles.   Scaffolding erection on both sides of the Necco Ct. bridge to the full height of the bridge is underway and will complete in mid-February.   Removal of the existing metal panel skin will be performed first with structural improvements to the bridge steel following the removal.  Fabrication of structural steel, curtainwall and metal panels for the bridge reconstruction is underway.  Abatement of lead-based paint from structural members inside the bridge will continue in order to prepare the surfaces for welding.  GE and its contractors will continue to coordinate the work in Necco Ct. with Synergy. 

·         The final transformer has been placed in the transformer yard by Eversource.  The main electrical gear has been placed inside the main electrical room inside the building and is being prepared to receive permanent power.  Once all electrical gear testing and inspections are complete, Eversource will energize the permanent power to the building. 

·         National Grid will provide a permanent gas service connection to the buildings from Necco St.  This will require trenching in Necco St.  Tie-in is currently forecast to be performed this Spring pending final schedule from National Grid.

GE Innovation Point Construction updates occur about monthly in frequency or when there are major transitions in the construction process. Visit GE Reports to sign up for updates and to find the latest information or contact GE at innovation.point@ge.com.

GE Innovation Point: December 2017 Update

The December construction update for GE Innovation Point is now available at www.gereports.com/boston and below for your reference. These updates will occur about monthly in frequency, or when there are major transitions in the construction process. As always, if you need to get in touch with the project team or would like to receive updates directly in your inbox, please contact GE at innovation.point@ge.com.

Innovation Point Construction Update – December 2017

·         Temporary fire protection inside the buildings to support the construction has been completed.

·         Stormwater system installation across the site is complete, connecting the existing system in the Gillette parking lot to the brick buildings to allow connection of both area drains and roof drains.

·         The site trailers are being relocated and a portion of the Gillette parking lot will be returned to parking operations.

·         Abatement of windows containing asbestos material followed by temporary window installation will be completed in early December.

·         Abatement of roofing materials is underway and will continue as openings in the roof are required.

·         Temporary shoring, necessary to support the structure as it is opened up to receive the new construction is underway inside the buildings.

·         Ground floor existing slab on grade is being removed to prepare for the new first floor slab.

·         Pile installation inside the buildings and in between the buildings will begin in December in preparation for placement of the foundations for the new elevator and stair towers inside the building.

·         Selective demolition of the center of the building to make way for the new elevators and stairs will begin in December.

·         Utility installation from A Street to Necco St,, across Necco St., and in Necco Ct., will be performed over the next several months.

A Construction Update To The Neighborhood From GE

Neighbors,

We wanted to send you construction update on GE Innovation Point. As with any construction project of this scope and complexity, we have been periodically reviewing the schedule and budget. The original accelerated schedule of constructing the buildings simultaneously over two years would have added a premium to the construction cost. Based on this review, we have decided that it makes more sense and is more cost-effective to construct the campus in two phases.

The first phase includes the renovation and build out of the two brick buildings (North Point). Construction there is underway and the buildings are scheduled to open in the first half of 2019.  At the same time, we will be doing the work to enhance the public Harborwalk and public dock.  The green bridge will also be renovated during this phase.

We know that the public space improvements were important to the local community and completing those in the first phase highlights our long-term commitment to the neighborhood.

Following the completion of the brick buildings, the second phase of construction will begin, which includes the new 12-story building (South Point) and public open space. We expect the construction will take approximately 24 months and estimate the building to open in mid-2021.

We knew that coming to Boston was the right decision for GE, and as we approach the one-year anniversary of opening our interim HQ on Farnsworth St., we couldn’t be more excited to be here. The City and Commonwealth have been tremendous partners, and along with our construction partners and neighbors, we appreciate their support as we’ve gone through the design and permitting process. We love the look of the campus and being part of the Fort Point Channel neighborhood.

We are committed to Boston and look forward to moving to GE Innovation Point, which will be a hub for innovation and the industrial internet.

Please check our website for ongoing updates to the construction schedule. We will schedule a community meeting at the end of August or early September on the updated construction plans of the first phase of this project. 

Peter F. Cavanaugh

GE Ecosystem Transformation Leader

+1 (617) 443-3025

View August 8th Construction Update. 

Sign up to receive updates by emaiiling innovation.point@ge.com 

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GE Groundbreaking Construction

Updated 5.17.17: Find out more construction details at GE Innovation Point Community Engagement meeting on Monday, May 22, 2017 from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm at Factory 63, 63 Melcher St. RSVP

GE held their official ground breaking Monday morning.

GE  Groundbreaking 5/8/17 Fort Point

In advance of the groundbreaking GE's Ecosystem Transition Leader, Peter Cavanaugh, spoke to the Fort Point neighborhood at FPNA's April 25th gathering. View presentation.

Mr. Cavanaugh explained how GE selected Boston and in particular Fort Point to be the perfect setting for the digital and industrial company. 

At the neighborhood's request, the rest of the talk focused on the construction of GE Innovation Point. Below are some construction highlights and updates.  Once construction begins later this spring, updates will be available at GEReports or you may email or call 617-443-3434. Suffolk Construction will construct the new building. Consigli Construction will rehabilitate the two historic NECCO candy factory buildings. 

Project Work Hours:
At the meeting the Project work hours were stated to be from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday through Friday.  This time range is in accordance with Boston City Ordinances: however, this is in excess of a typical workday.  The majority of work on-site will be performed during the hours of 7:00 am to 3:30 pm.  There will be work that is performed after 3:30 pm due to logistical or safety reasons. GE will try to limit this work to the extent that possible, specifically any work that is loud. Off-hour and weekend work will be utilized in cases when the Project schedule needs to be maintained or phases of the work need to be performed to minimize impacts to the neighborhood.  A schedule of such activities will be provided in advance.

Truck Routes: 
The neighborhood raised questions regarding the routes for construction truck traffic. Trucks are needed to remove debris and material excavated or removed from the site, and to deliver new construction materials as the project proceeds.  Truck traffic related to this construction site shall vary considerably throughout the construction period.  Construction of the General Electric Headquarters is expected to generate an average of 30 trucks per day for the entire construction period. The impact of construction trucks in the evening peak hour is expected to be insignificant because most deliveries are completed prior to the end of the typical construction work day (3:30 PM). Truck activity is expected to be uniformly distributed throughout the work day.  Thus, an anticipated average of 30 trucks per day to the site translates to approximately 4 trucks every 1 hour if distributed over an eight-hour work day. Trucks coming to and from the site are required to use major arterial roadways or highways and not local streets.  View truck routes approved by BTD.  Delivery drivers will be encouraged to use the main roads as much as possible.

Construction Personnel Parking:
The number of workers per day will vary as construction proceeds.  Over the entire Project construction period, the average number of workers per day will be between approximately 250. Please keep in mind that that this is an average over the life of the Project.  As mentioned at the meeting, the location of the construction site makes public transportation very accessible and many workers will use this transit option.  The site is convenient to the MBTA’s Red line stop at South Station, and is close to MBTA Bus Stops serviced by the Route 4, 7, 11, 448, 449, 459, SL1, SL2, and SL waterfront.  Many commuter rail lines also run through South Station.  Suffolk will also provide sufficient and secure storage areas for workers’ equipment to facilitate and encourage the use of the “T”.  Any personal vehicles will be restricted from parking at or around the construction site to reduce the impact to residential parking.  Due to the proximity of public transit systems, employees will be encouraged to use the MBTA as well as carpooling. Subcontractor parking will be limited to an off-site parking location.  GE will encourage the use of public parking lots located away from the project site to ensure a location for on-site workers to park, as well as the local neighborhood.

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GE Foundation & MGH To Host Opioid Epidemic Hack-A-Thon

The GE Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), in partnership with the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to Host Hack-a-thon to Combat Opioid Epidemic:

• September 9-11, 2016 at District Hall
• 250 innovators across public health, engineering, business, and design to catalyze disruptive innovations addressing the opioid crisis
• Prizes for the five most promising innovations, including a grand prize to accelerate implementation
•  Event and implementation is supported by GE’s five-year, $50 million philanthropic commitment to the Greater Boston community

GE Foundation’s sponsorship of this event is part of its five-year, $50 million philanthropic commitment to the Boston community, $15 million of which will be dedicated to health efforts such as the hack-a-thon, increasing access to health for the underserved, particularly those patients requiring care for addictions and behavioral health, and increasing training for specialty care.

The hack-a-thon directly aligns with priorities around the opioid crisis and addiction medicine for both Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker and Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “We appreciate the efforts of GE Foundation and MGH to tackle this public health crisis and are hopeful that the innovations that come out of the hack-a-thon will make a significant impact and contribute to our fight to combat the opioid epidemic in our communities,” said Governor Baker. Mayor Walsh added, “Addiction is a devastating disease that impacts individuals, families and communities throughout Boston and the Commonwealth. To end this crisis, and the stigma of addiction, it is important that we work together to tackle the crisis on all fronts. GE Foundation is a welcome ally in combating the opioid crisis, and I believe together we can prevent suffering and save lives."

During the hack-a-thon, GE Foundation and MGH and will bring together a far-reaching and diverse group of 250 innovators across public health, engineering, business, and design to develop solutions to the opioid epidemic. The event will open with an Opioid Challenge Summit on Friday, September 9, providing a forum for clinical experts, thought leaders, policy makers, patients, families, and law enforcement to identify the greatest unmet needs and challenges in addiction and prevention. On Saturday, September 10, cross-disciplinary teams will rally around these challenges to create disruptive innovations in opioid addiction prevention, treatment and recovery. On Sunday, September 11, teams will make their final presentations to an expert panel of judges, who will give awards to the five most promising innovations. Teams will be supported for 90 days after the event, and, at the conclusion, the single most promising innovation will receive a grand prize to accelerate implementation.

Applications are now open to participate in the opioid hack-a-thon. To learn more, please visit Massachusetts General Hospital.

For continuing information on GE's move to Boston and their transformation into the world's largest digital industrial company, download GE Boston app available on Itunes and Andriod.