About The Neighborhood This Week

updated 8/20/25 with Artists For Humanity's Big Summer Show on August 21st. 

There are a lot of options for things to do this evening. On August 20th, Channelside/Related Beal is in front of ConCom for the proposed floating dock installation. This coming Sunday is a free concert. Details are below:

8/19: Boston Civic Design Commission Subcommittee Meeting(s) at 5pm. P&G Gillette Rezoning Master Plan is on the Agenda A at 6pm.

8/19: 370-401 D Street PDA Amendment Public Meeting at 6pm. The Project Site consists of approximately 5.6 total acres of land owned by MCCA for a new fifteen (15) story. In addition, the Proponent seeks to modify the existing layout of the Element Hotel by increasing layout efficiency, resulting in up to an additional 20 keys within the existing volume and area of the structure. This modification will result in an amendment to the original PDA phase, increasing the maximum key count to up to 530 rooms within the Aloft and Element Hotels, up from the originally approved 510 rooms

8/19: Updating the Groundwater Conservation Overlay District | Public Meeting at 6pm to present  proposed updates for the Groundwater Conservation Overlay District (GCOD). These updates consolidate and simplify the existing zoning text for GCOD, and remove some regulatory barriers for ‘Substantial Rehabilitation projects.’ 

8/19: SUPilates by SUP YO Adventures at 6:30pm at the Fort Point Pier. Parking is available at Channelside. Related programs also at Fort Point Pier include SUPYoga and paddleboarding. 

8/20: Conservation Commission (ConCom) Public Meeting at 6pm. 

Item #7: Notice of Intent for DEP File No. 006-2063 and BOS File No. 2025-028 from Epsilon Associates, Inc., on behalf of Channelside Acquisitions, LLC, for the proposed installation of a pile supported ramp and a pile anchored floating dock in the Fort Point Channel at 244-284 A Street, South Boston Waterfront, MA  (LUO, LSCSF, Coastal Bank, 100ft Buffer to Coastal Bank, 25ft Waterfront Area).

8/21: Artists For Humanity's Big Summer Show from 4pm to 7pm at AFH EpiCenter, 100 West 2nd. St. Join AFH teens showcasing their work from the summer session at the biggest art and design sale of the year!

8/24: FPAC Harbor Harmonies Concert: Swinging in the Summertime, a Hot Club Gypsy Jazz Concert, from 3pm to 4pm at the Fort Point Room at Atlantic Wharf, 280 Congress Street. Get your free ticket. 

originally published 08.19.25

Future of Open Space & Ground Floor Spaces At 244 -284 A Street

updated 10/6/23 with some additional follow up information provided by the applicant to MassDEP.

Related Beal is seeking a Chapter 91 Consolidated Written Determination for ground floor facilities of public accommodation (FPA) at 244‐284 A Street, to authorize:

• approximately 6.46‐acres of the mixed‐use development which includes three (3) residential/commercial/R&D Office buildings
• associated underground parking structure
• internal roadways
• open space/public parks, a waterfront overlook and dock 
• improvements to the existing Harborwalk 

in and on filled and flowed tidelands of the Fort Point Channel. Additionally, the Applicant seeks an extended license term pursuant to 310 CMR 9.15(b). The proposed project has been determined to be Nonwater‐Dependent.  

There will be two opportunities for the public to participate plus providing written public comments:

• MassDEP Public Hearing: October 2, 2023 at 2:00 pm  
• MassDEP Public Information Session: October 2, 2023 at 6:00 pm. 
• View Presentation
• View Additional Hearing Follow Up Information

Public Comments Deadline: October 25, 2023 to Susan You 

Project plans and documents for the Waterways application are on file for public viewing electronically at: https://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/EEA/PublicApp/ (enter 23‐WW16‐0001‐APP in the Search Page in the field for Record ID). If you need assistance, please contact susan.you@mass.gov or if you do not have access to email, please leave a message at(617) 292‐5929 for alternative options.

originally published 10.04.23

244-284 A Street Civic/Cultural Space RFI Virtual Open House & Workshop

Related Beal is hosting a virtual Civic/Community Space Open House Workshop and discussion for 244 - 284 A Street (Channelside) on:

Monday, July 24, 2023

1:45 PM – 3:00 PM

Register

The Channelside request for information (RFI) is for potential operators who might be interested in occupying and programming the Civic/Cultural spaces and providing feedback on spatial configurations, size, use, and timing of the future Request for Proposals (RFP). View RFI. 

Anyone interested in providing feedback on civic/cultural ground floor spaces for the site are welcome to attend. The ground floor spaces are mandated under the MA Public Waterfront Act, Chapter 91, Facilities of Public Accommodation.

Two other in-person events occurred in June. The RFI deadline has been extended to July 31, 2023.

The Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture (MOAC) will be managing the City's waterfront public civic and cultural RFP process once the City's Waterfront Civic/Cultural Space Planning Study and recommendations are completed sometime early next year. More information at Fort Point Boston Blog: Waterfront Ground Floor Spaces Planning Public Meeting Monday

What Is The Resilient Fort Point Channel Infrastructure Project?

updated 02/14/22 with February 22nd comment deadline and supplemental information. 

A Resilient Fort Point Channel Infrastructure Project Environmental Notification Form (ENF) has been submitted on behalf of the City of Boston and Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) for the construction of:

• a  2,090 linear foot (lf) mixed berm and floodwall mitigation structure with 14 outfall backflow prevention flap gates along a portion of the Fort Point Channel’s southeast shoreline between approximately 15 Necco Street and Dorchester Avenue. 
• the installation of three interim flood protection barriers across the western end of Necco Court, A Street under the Summer Street overpass, and West Service Road under the Summer Street overpass.

The purpose of the project is to reduce flood damage and provide protection to nearby populations, infrastructure, utilities, and structures in the 100 Acres Master Planning Area, which is bounded by the Fort Point Channel to the west, Summer Street to the north, the South Boston Bypass Road/Haul Road to the east, and West Second Street to the south, and portions of South Boston.  The project was also discussed at the FPNA Neighborhood Gathering Kickoff on January 25th by Joe Christo, Senior Resilience and Waterfront Planner, BPDA Climate Change and Environmental Planning. View Presentation.

View from Dorchester Ave Toward Summer St Bridge

February 1, 2022 Online Public Site Visit

View Supplemental Information

The project will permanently impact 760 lf of Coastal Bank and 68,887 sf of Land Subject to Coastal Storm Flowage (LSCSF) and temporarily impact 60,273 sf of LSCSF.  The project will involves removal of 1.3 acres of impervious area.

The project requires the submission of an ENF pursuant to 301 CMR 11.03(3)(b)(1)(a) and 11.03(3)(b)(1)(f) because it requires a State Agency Action and involves the alteration of Coastal Bank and greater than ½  or more acres of any other wetlands. 

The project requires:

• a Chapter 91 (c. 91) License from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
• an Order of Conditions from the Boston Conservation Commission, or in the case of an appeal, a Superseding Order of Conditions from MassDEP.

The project is receiving a Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant for $10,000,000 from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) via the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Comments will be welcome in writing until February 22, 2022 (new date) and may be submitted via email to Erin Flaherty, Environmental Analyst, Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office

A Certificate on the ENF will be issued on February 25, 2022 (need revised date).  Deadlines may be extended.  Please check the New Environmental Monitor for up to date comment period deadlines.

originally published 01.24.22

244 - 284 A Street IAG Public Meeting Tomorrow

updated 10.25.21: BPDA IAG Presentation.

updated 10.22.21: BPDA IAG Meeting Recording. The presentation from October and September should be posted per Aisling Kerr. Contact information below. 

updated 10.20.21: BPDA Request for Supplemental Information is now available. 

The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) is hosting a 244 - 284 A Street Impact Advisory Group Public Meeting from 12pm - 1:30pm on Wednesday, October 20, 2021. The meeting will be held online or in person at Related Beal's Channelside Sales Office at 300 A Street (in person attendees will all need to wear masks, in compliance with the City of Boston's indoor mask mandate). 

For those who may prefer to join the meeting remotely, please register in advance. After registering, you will receive an email confirmation from Zoom with a personalized link to join the meeting directly. 

Any questions, contact Aisling Kerr, BPDA Senior Project Manager.

originally published 10.19.21

Final 244 -284 A Street Public Meeting 8/11: Transportation Impacts

updated 08/12/21 with presentation and meeting recording. 

You won't want to miss the final scheduled BPDA public meeting for the development of 244-284 A St (former Gillette parking lots site) on:

Transportation Impacts

Wednesday, August 11, 2021

View Presentation

View Meeting Video

Over one million square feet of proposed development will see more than 2,500 people per day come to this site. This is in addition to 1,000 people a day working in 5 and 15 Necco (former GE headquarters site currently under construction) without parking.

The existing surface parking lot is licensed for 800 cars. The new development is planning parking for about 400 underground spaces. 

How will everyone get here, on the T, via bicycle, walk? How about impacts to resident street parking (resident parking spots are being eliminated with the proposed shortening of Binford St)? Are the streets and roads in the neighborhood being redesigned to meet Vision Zero and complete streets? Who will own them? How will all these changes affect us?

Attend this meeting to learn about transportation plans and how they will impact mobility and public access.

    

244 - 284 A Street Channelside Development Comment Deadline Tuesday

What do you think about the 244-284 A Street (former Gillette parking lot site) 6.5 acre development? The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) and Related Beal want to hear from you. A quick reminder that the comment deadline is Tuesday, November 10, 2020. Here are a few elements of the proposed development. View Project Notification Form and meeting presentations and videos for greater detail. 

Building Height
Two of the three buildings are taller than approved zoning. The property is zoned under PDA 69 aka 100 Acres Master Plan, for one 180 foot building and one 100 foot building at the Channel, and one 100 foot building closer to A Street. The proposed development calls for two 180 feet tall buildings along the Fort Point Channel; thereby, creating a wall of 180 feet buildings along the Harborwalk and a Life Sciences building along A Street of 123 feet plus 50 feet mechanicals (mechanicals are not included in zoning calculations). 

Transportation Improvements
The new development will bring more than 3,500 new residents and workers to our sidewalks and streets. This is in addition to the 1,000 or more workers and visitors to 5 and 15 Necco. Are the transportation improvements being proposed enough?

Appropriate Ground Floor Uses
State law requires the ground floor be for the public good and use. The types of uses currently proposed does not provide sufficient detail to ensure this is accomplished. What civic/community, cultural and retail spaces would you like to see?  How could they complement activation of the parks and watersheet? 

Affordable On-site Housing and Artist Live/Work
The City requires a mix of affordable residential units and zoning references the expansion of artist live/work spaces, all of which should be on-site.

Fort Point Park & Climate Resiliency
As identified in the 100 Acres Master Plan, the Fort Point Park and open green spaces are currently under design via the 100 Acres Open Space Planning Initiative. The final park design including ground floor uses (draft to be provided to the public mid-to-late November) must be incorporated in the next filing, the Draft Project Impact report, for subsequent community review. Do the proposed climate resiliency solutions protect the site, the inner neighborhood and Harborwalk? Is there adequate storm water containment for projected sea level rise and storm events? 

We would ask that you consider providing email feedback to the City to ensure neighborhood voices are heard. As in the past these types of communications are best done to both the BPDA and our City of Boston District Councilor:

Aisling Kerr, BPDA Project Manager - aisling.kerr@boston.gov

Ed Flynn, Boston City Councilor District 2 - ed.flynn@boston.gov

Urban Design & Climate Resiliency: 244 - 284 A Street

updated 10/09/20 with link to meeting video. The presentation link added 10/08/20

The Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) will be hosting their third 244-284 A Street (former Channelside parking lot) Public Community meeting on October 7 from 6 pm to 8 pm. This meeting will focus on urban design and climate resiliency.  

Through multiple initiatives, the City of Boston (including the Boston Water & Sewer Commission's new inundation modeling) is preparing for 40 inches of sea level rise by 2070. What sea level rise and stormwater management techniques will be deployed? How will these solutions interact with adjacent 15 and 5 Necco, the Gillette campus and the inner neighborhood? How will climate resiliency be incorporated into the design of the three proposed new buildings? What more will we discover about the building massing and height, extreme heat and wind conditions and shadows? 

BPDA staff will be joined by colleagues from the City of Boston Environment Department and staff from the Boston Water & Sewer Commission. 

In the Urban Design discussion, understand the development's compatibility with its surroundings in terms of massing, height, materials, ornamentation, landscaping, and access. 

244 - 284 A Street: Urban Design & Climate Resiliency

Wednesday October 7, 2020

View Presentation

View Meeting Video

Next meeting:  Tuesday, October 20th on Ground Floor Uses and Watersheet Activation from 6 pm to 8 pm. 

After learning about the proposed development in this phase of public meetings, there will be the opportunity to file written comments and ask for more information and analysis. Your comments and questions will form the scope of work for the Project Impact Review that is the an in-depth specific filing responding to what is being presented this Fall.

Note: Due to the large scale of this project (6.5 acres, office, residential and life sciences plus Fort Point & Channel parks), it is being broken down into several topic specific meetings. 

originally published 10.05.20

What Will Become Of The Channelside Parking Lot?

updated 9/9/20: Added 9/10 BPDA board meeting. Previous update included presentations and video links for public meetings hosted by the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) to cover planned development of the parking lot along A Street and along the Fort Point Channel.

Related Beal (244 - 284 A Street) and National Development & Alexandria Real Estate Equities (15 Necco  & 5 Necco Street) have projects planned for the neighborhood adding 4 new buildings and including 2 historic buildings.

15 Necco (former GE Headquarters) as of 08/04/20

15 NECCO ST.  (former GE headquarters)

BPDA Board Meeting

Thursday, September 10, 2020

Testimony should be submitted by Thursday at 3:30 PM to bpdaboard@boston.gov. 

BPDA Final Public Community Meeting

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

National Development & Alexandria Real Estate 

6:00 p.m. via Zoom meeting

View Presentation
Watch meeting



After the meeting, please email your comments by Monday, September 7 to:

BPDA Project Manager Aisling Kerr
BPDA Deputy Director for Climate Change and Environmental Planning Rich McGuinness 
BPDA Senior Resilience & Waterfront Planner Joe Christo
District City Councilor Ed Flynn
Councilor-At-Large Michael Flaherty
State Senator Nick Collins
State Representative David Biele 
FPNA 

244 - 284 A ST (former Channelside parking lot) 

Boston Civic Design Commission

244- 284 A Street (former Gillette Channelside parking lot)

Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020
approximately 6 pm (meeting starts at 5:15 pm)
View Presentation

BPDA Public Community Meeting Kickoff 
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Sneak preview of Presentation
Watch meeting

originally published 08.18.20

Channelside (former Gillette parking lot) IAG Meeting Tonight

The BPDA is hosting a virtual Impact Advisory Group (IAG) Meeting August 17, 2020 at 6 pm for the 244 - 284 A Street (former Gillette Channelside parking lot) project. 

The meeting will include a presentation followed by Q&A and comments. Please note the purpose of an IAG Meeting is different than that of a traditional Public Meeting. Discussion between the development team and members of the IAG will be prioritized, with time for questions and comments from the public during the remaining time. 

A virtual Public Meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 26th.

How to Participate

This meeting will be hosted online, using Zoom. You must register using this link, then you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the meeting. You will also receive an email prior to the meeting regarding technical assistance. The meeting will open at approximately 5:30 PM for you to join and troubleshoot any technical issues. If you're calling in by phone, you'll need to download the Zoom application to see our presentation and access language interpretation.

Register in advance for this webinar:
www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_1Z7H05I6RPi7Wfay5WqZDQ

FPNA Cancels July 15th Gathering

At the request of Related Beal, property owner of the Channelside parking lot, FPNA is cancelling Wednesday's July 15, 2020 Gathering and sharing with you their message to the neighborhood. Please note that if you already signed up, your registration will be automatically canceled.

A Message To The Neighborhood From Related Beal

We are reaching out about the community meeting Wednesday, July 15.  Our original goal was to activate the Fort Point Channel and provide summer employment for restaurant workers.  After further discussion and study, we have decided to withdraw our concept to host a temporary restaurant by Lolita on the Channelside site at this time. 
  
We hope everyone will continue to patronize local businesses in the area like Lolita in this time where restaurants are struggling.
 
Thank you. 
  
Best, 

Steve Faber
Related Beal

Upcoming Neighborhood Meetings

Wednesday, July 15th: Fort Point Arts Community invites you to a Fort Point Virtual Open Studios Information Session at 7 pm via Google Meet.

Thursday, July 16th: Mayor's Office of Arts & Cultural invites you to Zoom in about a call for permanent public art for the Northern Avenue Bridge from 7 pm to 8 pm.

Monday, July 27th: 401 Congress Street Virtual Public Meeting Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) is hosting a public meeting from 6 pm to 7:30 pm.

Thursday, July 30th:BPDA 15 Necco IAG Virtual Meeting is at 5:30 pm. The public is welcome to listen in and give feedback as time permits. 

FPNA Gathering: 6.5 Acre Channelside, Your Top 5 Issues & Neighborhood News

You are invited to a
Fort Point Seaport Neighborhood Gathering

Tuesday, November 19, 2019
6 pm to 8 pm
Capital One Café
57 Seaport Blvd

featuring

Related Beal
with KPF Architects
244 - 284 A Street 
6.5 acres Channelside
(former Gillette Parking Lot)

with 

Neighborhood Top 5
A Discussion of Key Issues In Fort Point & Seaport

&

Neighborhood News

Special Thanks to Capital One Café for their hospitality 

Revised 99 A Street Life Sciences Proposal Public Meeting

The Boston Planning & Development Agency is hosting a public meeting on 99 A Street: A Revised Life Sciences Proposal, which includes Coppersmiths and two former P&G Gillette research buildings. The community meeting will take place:

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

6:30 pm to 8 pm

Condon School

200 D Street (behind the Laboure Center)

Life Sciences buildings are popping up all over. In September, WS Development proposed to change the residential building planned for Block N (391 Congress St) to Life Sciences. Earlier this year, WS Development announced Life Sciences tenant Foundation Medicine at Block P (400 Summer St.) pushing the performing art center to Block L. Tishman Spyer purchased 105 W 1st office building (former RCN building) with the intent to host Life Sciences. National Development with Alexandria Real Estate purchased the former GE Innovation Point headquarters building site for Life Sciences. National Development and Alexandria Real Estate will be presenting at the October 29th FPNA Neighborhood Gathering taking place from 6 pm to 8 pm at Capital One Cafe (57 Seaport Blvd). Related Beal, who purchased former Gillette Channelside parking lot, is proposing a Life Sciences building on the site near the corner of A Street & Binford Street. Related Beal also is developing a Life Sciences building at the Marine Industrial Park. Vertex Pharmaceuticals moved to the Seaport in 2014.

Come Wednesday night to discover the revised Life Sciences development at 99 A Street. 

Related Beal Channelside Parking Lot Planning Discussion

You're Invited Related Beal invites you to a discussion regarding the planning of the parking lot located at 244-284 A Street along the Fort Point Channel.  WHEN:  Thursday, October 10 at 6:00 pm WHERE:  Artist for Humanity, 100 West Second St. Boston RSVP: FortPoint@relatedbeal.com originally published 10.7.19

Related Beal Neighborhood Open House

Related Beal, the new owners of the 6.5 acre Channelside parcel along the Fort Point Channel, cordially invite the neighborhood to an Open House to meet the team and share your ideas for future development on:

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

6 pm - 8 pm

Boston Children's Museum 

5th Floor

entrance via 308 Congress St,

R.S.V.P.
food & refreshments will be provided

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

This is a a significant moment for the future growth and mixed development of the Fort Point neighborhood. The property is part of the 100 Acres Master Plan, a five year process and 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 part of the property. 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.  Share your ideas.

Related Posts

originally published 6.14.19

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.