Progress Report:
A Decade of Fort Point Master Planning
with the Boston Redevelopment Authority
BRA Approvals since 1997 Variances from existing zoning
for New Construction (BRA-approved)25 Large projects with approved
zoning exclusions and
added height/density through
BRA-enacted Planned Development Area (PDA)5 Historic wharf buildings hosting new
party-hat shaped additions
(BRA-approved)8 New addition or infill construction
cantilevered over historic structures and passageways (BRA-approved)2 New infill construction
in loading courtyards of historic buildings
(BRA-approved)3 Percentage of above construction that was approved by the BRA, providing property owners with enhanced value above original purchase, beyond "as-of-right" development and varying from existing zoning. 100% Conversions from first-floor retail to office space 20 Districtwide Office Space ratio (1997) 85% Districtwide Office Space ratio (2007)* 87% Progress toward a mixed-use urban neighborhood (SAND's Mission)
Number of Recreational Parks** 0 Public civic spaces*** 0 Public pocket parks or courtyards** 0 Libraries, Schools (existing or planned) 0 Police/Fire stations (existing or planned) 0 Community Centers (existing or planned) 0 Commercial neighborhood amenities (excluding restaurants) 2 National architectural awards for new construction 0 Number of residential projects completed, under construction or approved since 1997***** 3
Permanent public infrastructure along the South Boston Harborwalk available for public gatherings or programming without A) proof of insurance provided to abutting large-property owner, B) curatorial oversight of Friends of Fort Point Channel Abutters Group and C) expressed written permission of abutting large-property owner. 0% Progress toward maintaining a thriving arts and cultural community Number of artists in Fort Point, including those forced to move out of the district as leases were discontinued for BRA-approved renovation of industrial buildings as office space***** -150 Number of cultural non-profits in Fort Point, including those forced to move out of the district as leases were discontinued
for BRA-approved renovation of industrial buildings as office space****-6 Footnotes * Change shown includes new office projects since 1997, loss of artist live/work space since 1997, and fully accounts for new residential and non-commercial projects since 1997. ** Excludes a small 60 x 100 foot park created for the community by the Central Artery/Tunnel on Wormwood Street used primarily as a dog run, and Childrens Museum Park, created by the Central Artery 3/4 mile from the center of the Fort Point District, programmed by the Childrens Museum. *** SAND excludes fee-based or commercial establishments from consideration as public or civic space. BRA Master Plans include restaurants, hotel lobbies and bathrooms in calculations of civic space ("facilities of public accomodation"). **** Figures shown counts all residential projects approved or completed on over 200 acres of Fort Point District, in over 60 buildings, in over 20 BRA-approved projects since 1997. Projects are: Channel Center, Fort Point Place, FP3. ***** Figures shown excludes artists and institutions who found relocation within Fort Point (i.e. Midway Studios) and artists who were replaced onsite by new residents.
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