The Boston Childrens Museum has, with the approval of the Boston Redevelopment Authority, converted a parcel intended as Fort Point recreational park space to a paved, private parking lot. Long-term plans to develop the site as class B office space to be leased out by the cash-strapped museum, remain as one of many potential possibilities under consideration for the vacant parcel.
This parcel was donated to the Childrens Museum by its former owner, Frank McCourt, designated as public open space for visitors and area residents.
The museum has been unresponsive to public comments.
Excerpted from The Boston Harbor Association comment letter of 9/3/09 to the Childrens Museum:
Parcel E- The South Boston Municipal Harbor Plan approved by the Secretary
of Environmental Affairs on 8 December 2000 states on page 49: "I am,
therefore, approving the open space substitute provisions, subject to the
following conditions:1) McCourt/Broderick Parcel "E" (8,100+/- SF), located immediately adjacent
to the MBTA Mitigation Park (approximately three-quarters of an acre) off
Sleeper Street, should be designated as public open space (subject to future
master planning, as described below)."As discussed during our site visit, we are disappointed to see that Parcel
E, located in close proximity to the Fort Point Channel and immediately
adjacent to Children's Wharf Park, is now being used as surface parking.
This is clearly not consistent with the Secretary's Decision, nor with the
intent stated at the time that Frank and Jamie McCourt donated the parcel to
the Museum.We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Boston Children's
Museum in activating the HarborWalk and open spaces around the Museum.
Please let us know how we can further support your efforts.
Excerpted from The Boston Harbor Association comment letter of 10.20.09 to the Childrens Museum
The one remaining issue, converting the McCourt/Broderick Parcel E from its
existing temporary use as a surface parking facility to its intended open
space use, is of continuing concern to us. We look forward to working with
you and your successor in making this key parcel a part of the open space
network along the Fort Point Channel as early as possible in 2010.
Your comments as a visitor to the SAND website would be appreciated and forwarded for discussion.
