PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
From: Pier 5 Association
Contact: info@pier5.org
CONSERVATION LAW FOUNDATION RELEASES COMMENTS ON THE CHARLESTOWN NAVY YARD, PIER 5 DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
CHARLESTOWN NAVY YARD, April 12, 2021 —
The Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) recently received three proposals in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP) to restore Pier 5 in the Charlestown Navy Yard.
In response to the RFP by the BPDA, Conservation Law Foundation (CLF), a non-profit environmental advocacy organization, released its comments regarding the development proposals.
CLF's focus on compliance with The Public Waterfront Act ("Chapter 91") addresses shortcomings of all three proposals:
- The proposed classification of Navy Blue and 6M as "live aboard vessels" when they are clearly residences violates the regulation that housing units are not a "water-dependent" use. Noting that both Navy Blue and 6M do not align with regulatory requirements, CLF is "disappointed that the BPDA allowed these proposals to proceed so far in the process." Further, this misclassification was used to circumvent the open space and other public access and benefit requirements of Chapter 91.
- Concerning Urbanica, CLF has concerns that the "proponent seeks to include the rooftop garden within open space calculations. This is not permitted under the HarborPark Plan or the underlying Waterways Regulations". Urbanica must demonstrate that 50% of their project is open space without including the roof garden in such a calculation. While a roof garden can be part of the project, the proponent must allocate other areas toward open space.
- The RFP limits building height at this site to is 35 feet to conform with building heights in the area. Urbanica proposes a maximum height range between 35 and 55 feet. In order to comply with the RFP, Urbanica would need to limit the building’s height where it exceeds the 35-foot limit.
Pier 5.org, a group of concerned citizens, recognizes the historic value of Pier 5 and its unique position as Boston's Head of the Harbor. We do not believe that privatizing Pier 5 is appropriate
and are advocating to restore Pier 5 to become a public, climate-resilient, and historic open space for all to enjoy.
Pier5.org has over 1,600 signatures on our petition and seeks the support of all who would like to see a public park at Pier 5.
Contact: Pier 5 Association