To Massport, Ocean Havens, Ann and Chuck Lagasse, and our Elected Representatives:

This neighborhood petition is to voice our strong and unified opposition to the proposed construction of an 85-foot-tall ship maintenance and storage warehouse in the heart of East Boston’s historic shipyard.  The proposed development from current shipyard lease holders Ocean Havens:

• Completely disregards present architectural heights on the property, towering above even the tallest structure in the shipyard by a full three stories, and significantly obstructing views—and in multiple cases, almost completely blocking views—for numerous residents and abutters, including local businesses.
• Has not included any neighborhood involvement in planning, although the proposed structure will adversely impact every home that shares a boundary with the shipyard, permanently affecting quality of life for all abutters. 
• Has failed to provide any detailed plans and/or studies (i.e., environmental impact, visual impact, shadow effect, etc.) to the local community who support the businesses currently in the shipyard and who will be most impacted by this potential development.

Additionally, Ocean Havens’ wider proposal includes a “container village and plaza” that will create increased parking and traffic problems for all Jeffries Point residents, but their proposal does not adequately address the significant parking shortfall and mounting traffic issues that already exist.

We support the responsible redevelopment of the shipyard in a manner that truly respects its neighbors.  Similar repair and storage facilities exist throughout the Commonwealth at far lower heights and we are confident there's an opportunity to achieve new investment in the shipyard without these potentially devastating impacts, including: unknown environmental effect, unknown visual impact, unknown shadow effect, decreased home/rent valuation, increased traffic/parking concerns, etc. 

This community has carried the burden of Boston Logan from the beginning, measurably affecting serious quality of life issues, ranging from noise and air pollution to traffic and parking problems.  Placing a massive warehouse directly in front of century-old homes would be an immediate non-starter on the other side of the harbor.  Why is East Boston, an historically mixed-income community, being forced to shoulder the burden of developments that would never be proposed for wealthier neighborhoods?

We are calling for a transparent and neighborhood-engaged process from Massport and Ocean Havens that honors the existing neighborhood, takes into account serious quality of life concerns from abutters (i.e., environmental impact, visual impact, shadow effect, traffic, parking, etc.), and pays real attention to the voices of the people who will be most impacted by shipyard development.

On behalf of Jeffries Point and all East Boston shipyard abutters,

Eastie Shipyard Neighbors (ESN)

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To sign your name to the petition and help spread the word:

1. Click on "Sign this petition" and include your first name, last name, and email.
2. Mark the box that says "Display my name and comment on this petition" and then type your name and address under "Reasons for signing" to let Massport and Ocean Havens know that we are real people with real addresses in East Boston.
3. Text or email at least five of your neighbors the link change.org/eastbostonshipyard—but please do not share on Facebook or other social media until we have hit our minimum goal of 100 signatures.

Thanks for being an awesome neighbor!