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

Gillette Sells Final Fort Point 2.5 Acre Parcel

Dear FPNA & Neighbors,

Last Fall, we shared that we planned to sell a ~2.5-acre parcel of land in South Boston.  We finalized this real estate transaction this week and we wanted you to be among the first to know. 

We have sold the land to Tishman Speyer, an experienced real estate developer and their joint venture partner Breakthrough properties.   As you know, Tishman Speyer has created many thriving developments in the Greater Boston area including some just a few blocks from our campus in South Boston.  We admire Tishman’s commitment to developing properties that create enduring value for both occupants and local communities through vibrant, beautiful and environmentally sound planning. 

It’s important to note that this 2.5 acres of land is part of the 100-acre master plan, marking another step forward in bringing this important vision to life.  This is an opportunity to strengthen the growing Innovation District, bringing new jobs to the community and the local economy.  With this and other development in the neighborhood, we are excited about the potential ahead - transforming empty parking lots into commercial and residential buildings, jobs, new parks and community space and more, making our neighborhood even more dynamic and attractive in the future. 

Kara L. Buckley
Vice President of Global Grooming Communications & Community Affairs, P&G 

105 West First Demolition and Construction

The RCN building in between Channel Center Garage and the Artists for Humanity is no more. Here are some updates on the construction schedule of the 105 West First development site by Tishman Spyer and thier Life Sciences arm, Breakthrough Technologies: 

-         Demolition of the building started  the week of 2/24 with the material being hauled out via the project approved trucking route. This building demolition and backfill will continue into the week of 3/2, to be completed by 3/6. Tishman Spyer received permission from the City of Boston to carry out debris removal last Saturday 2/29 to expedite work an minimize the impact to the neighborhood.

-          Starting on 3/2 the Support of Excavation mobilization will begin, coupled with the re-mobilization of the site work subcontractor for pre-trenching for the support of excavation. Soldier pile installation will be starting along the West 2^nd Street side of the project site on 3/2 . Pre-trenching will be ongoing at the same time, along the West 1^st street side of the project site, in preparation for the remaining support of excavation installation to follow behind.

-          Additionally starting on the week of 3/11, excavation and site preparation for foundation walls and mat slab will begin with site work contractor preparing the site for upcoming reinforcement installation for the foundation walls and main building slab.

-          The Week of 3/18, whalers, rakers, and corner bracing which are all a part of the support of excavation, will be starting along the West 2^nd Street side of the project site.

-          The week of 3/23, it is anticipated that the start of forming, reinforcing, and preparing to pour the building concrete mat slab will begin. 

Construction updates will be posted on the property’s website, which will be shared once it is up and running. 

The Consigli team is on site and available to answer any questions regarding construction at 105 West First Street. Contact Alex Carr, Project Manger at Consigli. 

105 West First St. as of  February 12, 2020

Related Posts

105 West First Informational Update Meeting

Tishman Speyer cordially invites the neighborhood to attend their second Informational Update Meeting regarding the planned redevelopment of 105 West First Street to Life Sciences. The meeting will take place on:

Wednesday, February 12, 2020

 6:00 PM

3rd floor Conference Room

Artists for Humanity

100 West Second Street
View Presentation

In 2019 Breakthrough Properties, Life Sciences arm of Tishman Speyer, acquired the former RCN building from Commonwealth Ventures.  On the West First side, the building faces the A Street Park and is nestled between the Channel Center garage and Artists For Humanity.  In December of 2019, the BPDA hosted an informal meet and greet for neighbors and the new owners. Tishman Speyer also owns One Channel Center (State Street) building and the Channel Center Garage. 

Key meeting topics will be updates on the project schedule and public realm improvements, as well as information about the design and construction plan, and introduction to the construction team members from Consigli Construction Company. The demolition and construction timeline will be covered, including points of contact for the team on site, and sharing updates on plans for the new park east of the site between West First and West Second Streets.

You may also notice in the days leading up to the February 12th meeting that there will be additional construction vehicles and equipment added to the site. Please be assured that it is staging equipment and minor interior preparations ahead of the actual construction start, and that demolition will not commence until after the informational session on the 12th.

New Design as of December 2019

2017 Approved Design

originally published 2.3.20

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.