Too many of us have become disengaged. Too many of us lack confidence in our capacity to make basic moral and civic judgements, to join with our neighbors... to make a difference.

National Commission on Civic Renewal Report, June 1998

As documented in SAND News, SAND's work spanned over a decade, starting in 1997 and winding down in 2007. During its most active years developing a vision for the South Boston Waterfront as an urban neighborhood, SAND hosted over 100 public community meetings and planning charrettes. The plans conceived during these meetings are available for reference on this site.

Although the SAND website remains active for reference, most of the work of the organization has concluded.

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About Seaport Alliance for a Neighborhood Design (SAND)

Seaport Alliance for a Neighborhood Design (SAND) is a community group in the historic Fort Point District of South Boston, voicing a public vision for the long-term planning of Fort Point and the greater South Boston Waterfront as a mixed-use, urban neighborhood with a distinctive character and sense of place.

Through its work with the community, elected leaders and area stakeholders, SAND’s mission is to ensure that our community evolves with a critical mass of residential development, adequate public realm amenities and recreational greenspace, civic and cultural space, commercial establishments and other neighborhood ideals as projects are approved. Over decades to come, SAND anticipates that over ten thousand Bostonians will choose Fort Point and the South Boston Waterfront as a neighborhood in which to invest their lives.

Considering a $7.35 billion investment by all taxpayers into the Seaport District infrastructure and harbor cleanup, a "neighborhood" vision of development is not only possible -- it is critically important to ensure a return on the public investment.

SAND's vision of a Waterfront neighborhood is supported by Boston's history which demonstrates that mixed-use neighborhoods provide stable growth, economic return and vitality through economic cycles, unlike areas heavily invested to address specific markets (i.e. destination/commercial) favored by Boston's financial community and commercial interests. We expect a multi-generational return on the taxpayers investment -- not simply a 20-year projection on a balance sheet.

A Broadly Supported Community-based Vision

SAND’s vision for Fort Point and the South Boston Waterfront as an urban mixed-use neighborhood was developed through a public dialog with our Fort Point community, developers, City officials, area stakeholders, and the traditional South Boston community. From 1997 through 2005, SAND shaped its plans and developed consensus, through the hosting of scores of public meetings and charrettes. Today, moving forward with a clearly defined set of urban planning principles and the broad support of the Fort Point community, we continue to advocate for these shared ideals.

A Decade of Proactive Planning at City Hall and the State House

SAND members have served on the Boston Redevelopment Authority’s Fort Point Working Group (2001-2003), the Fort Point Advisory Committee (2003-present), the Boston Landmarks Commission Study Committee (2006-present). SAND members were represented and participated in each of approximately sixty (60) public meetings held by the BRA regarding the development of the 100 Acre Plan, and resulting in the 100 Acre Plan PDA. SAND was integrally involved in the drafting of the City of Boston’s South Boston Seaport Public Realm Plan in 1999 and the South Boston Municipal Harbor Plan in 2001.

To learn more about SAND's mission and charter...

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