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Menino Pulls Support
for Lowe’s Store
By Thomas Grillo
Reporter
Following intense community opposition, the Menino administration has withdrawn its support for the first Lowe’s Home Improvement store in Boston.
Last summer, the North Carolina-based chain proposed a 194,679-square-foot warehouse at the abandoned Barry Controls manufacturing plant on Guest Street in Brighton. But opponents said the project would compound traffic problems, causing a nightmare for residents who already are besieged by gridlock.
Until now, Mayor Thomas M. Menino has expressed support for the project. But the mayor wanted assurances that the additional traffic could be managed. The big-box store’s fate may have been sealed at a public hearing on Monday night when the company’s traffic survey revealed that the two-level store would add 3,306 vehicle trips on weekdays and 5,068 on Saturdays, as well as 55 semi-trailers to the neighborhood.
“When we saw the traffic study, it became clear to everyone that this project would create an undue hardship for the neighborhood, especially on weekends,” said John F. Palmieri, director of the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA). “We want to continue to work with Lowe’s to find an appropriate location in the city, but the Brighton site is not viable for that use.”
Peter Leis, a North Beacon Street resident and member of the Impact Advisory Group, a panel formed to advise the BRA on development projects, expressed shock over the city’s reversal.
“Wow,” he said. “I had heard that Mayor Menino favored the project. I’m pleased because it’s a recognition by the BRA and the city of our community’s concerns about this store.”
Leis stressed that the neighborhood is not anti-development, but that more traffic from a giant retailer would be overwhelming. “It would have been like a tidal wave coming through our streets,” Leis said. “We favor the right development, but Lowe’s is not it.”
State Rep. Michael J. Moran, a Brighton Democrat and a project critic, hailed the mayor’s decision. He praised Menino and the BRA for considering the impact that Lowe’s would have on the already traffic-choked streets of Brighton.
“There’s definitely a feeling in the neighborhood that the addition of [thousands of motorists] would be very tough for this neighborhood,” he said. “There was almost no support for Lowe’s at several public hearings. Tom Menino and the BRA pay attention to those things.”
Jeffrey Dirk, vice president at Vanasse & Assoc., an Andover-based traffic engineering firm who did the study for Lowe’s, did not return repeated calls seeking comment.
Lawrence LePere, Lowe’s site development manager, could not be reached for comment.
<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>
Jay Rourke
Senior Project Manager
Boston Redevelopment Authority
One City Hall Plaza
Boston Massachusetts 02201
617.918.4317 - w
617.742.7783 - f
The substance of this message, including any attachments, may be confidential, legally privileged and/or exempt from disclosure pursuant to Massachusetts law. It is intended solely for the addressee. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any computer.
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Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:32:07 -0500
Subject: [AB2006] Lowes Home Center -- Over and Out?
From: da...@sailonset.com
To: AllstonBr...@googlegroups.com; harry.m...@autodesk.comFrom Banker and Tradesman: text here; original in attachment.
Menino Pulls Support for Lowe's Store
By Thomas Grillo, Reporter
--Forwarded Message Attachment--
Subject: Lowe's
Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:13:04 -0500
From: Jay.Rou...@cityofboston.gov
To: da...@sailonset.com; norman...@mindspring.com; pl...@hbs.edu; talkh...@aol.com
height=42 id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image0...@01C87ACC.6FCA38E0"
alt="cid:image0...@01C87AC9.E78ECDD0">
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image0...@01C87ACC.6FCA38E0"
alt="cid:image0...@01C87AC9.E78ECDD0">
style='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>
class=detailheadlinestyle1>Menino Pulls Support
for Lowe’s Store
By href="http://www.bankerandtradesman.com/cgi-bin/udt/im.author.contact.view?client_id=bankerandtradesman&story_id=198867&title=Menino%20Pulls%20Support%20for%20Lowe%26%23146%3Bs%20Store&author=Thomas%20Grillo&address=http%3A//www.bankerandtradesman.com/issues/5%5F325/breakingnews/198867%2D1.html&summary=%3Ci%3EBy%20Thomas%20Grillo%3C/i%3E%3Cbr%3EFollowing%20intense%20community%20opposition%2C%20the%20Menino%20administration%20has%20withdrawn%20its%20support%20for%20the%20first%20Lowe%26%23146%3Bs%20Home%20Improvement%20store%20in%20Boston.">style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Thomas Grillostyle='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>
Reporterstyle='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>
>
> Wow. Go figure. A large corporation providing jobs and revenue wants to
> move into the community and Menino opposes it. Maybe he realizes that
> if someone wanted to target a large shopping complex in Allston to bomb or
> something we don't have the EMT coverage to support the emergency. I
> vote for Allston\Brighton annexing into Watertown, at least you can shop
> there. Oh wait, how much property does Harvard own there now?
> Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:32:07 -0500Subject: [AB2006] Lowes Home Center
> -- Over and Out?From: da...@sailonset.comTo:
> AllstonBr...@googlegroups.com; harry.m...@autodesk.comFrom
> Banker and Tradesman: text here; original in attachment. Menino Pulls
> Support for Lowe's StoreBy Thomas Grillo, Reporter Following intense
> community opposition, the Menino administration haswithdrawn its support
> for the first Lowe's Home Improvement store inBoston. Last summer, the
> North Carolina-based chain proposed a194,679-square-foot warehouse at the
> abandoned Barry Controlsmanufacturing plant on Guest Street in Brighton.
> But opponents said theproject would compound traffic problems, causing a
> nightmare forresidents who already are besieged by gridlock. Until now,
> Mayor Thomas M. Menino has expressed support for the project.But the mayor
> wanted assurances that the additional traffic could bemanaged. The big-box
> store's fate may have been sealed at a publichearing on Monday night when
> the company's traffic survey revealed thatthe two-level store would add
> 3,306 vehicle trips on weekdays and 5,068on Saturdays, as well as 55
> semi-trailers to the neighborhood. "When we saw the traffic study, it
> became clear to everyone that thisproject would create an undue hardship
> for the neighborhood, especiallyon weekends," said John F. Palmieri,
> director of the BostonRedevelopment Authority (BRA). "We want to continue
> to work with Lowe'sto find an appropriate location in the city, but the
> Brighton site isnot viable for that use." Peter Leis, a North Beacon
> Street resident and member of the ImpactAdvisory Group, a panel formed to
> advise the BRA on developmentprojects, expressed shock over the city's
> reversal. "Wow," he said. "I had heard that Mayor Menino favored the
> project. I'mpleased because it's a recognition by the BRA and the city of
> ourcommunity's concerns about this store." Leis stressed that the
> neighborhood is not anti-development, but thatmore traffic from a giant
> retailer would be overwhelming. "It would havebeen like a tidal wave
> coming through our streets," Leis said. "We favorthe right development,
> but Lowe's is not it." State Rep. Michael J. Moran, a Brighton Democrat
> and a project critic,hailed the mayor's decision. He praised Menino and
> the BRA forconsidering the impact that Lowe's would have on the
> alreadytraffic-choked streets of Brighton. "There's definitely a feeling
> in the neighborhood that the addition of[thousands of motorists] would be
> very tough for this neighborhood," hesaid. "There was almost no support
> for Lowe's at several publichearings. Tom Menino and the BRA pay attention
> to those things." Jeffrey Dirk, vice president at Vanasse & Assoc., an
> Andover-basedtraffic engineering firm who did the study for Lowe's, did
> not returnrepeated calls seeking comment. Lawrence LePere, Lowe's site
> development manager, could not be reachedfor comment. --Forwarded Message
> Attachment--Subject: Lowe's Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:13:04 -0500From:
> Jay.Rou...@cityofboston.govTo: da...@sailonset.com;
> norman...@mindspring.com; pl...@hbs.edu; talkh...@aol.com
>
>
>
>
>
>
> height=42 id="Picture_x0020_1"
> src="http://by124w.bay124.mail.live.com/mail/SafeRedirect.aspx?hm__tg=http%3a%2f%2f207.46.11.249%2fatt%2fGetAttachment.aspx&hm__qs=file%3d13562799-e1e5-4b18-898f-2df6483c99fe.gif%26ct%3daW1hZ2UvZ2lm%26name%3daW1hZ2UwMDEuZ2lm%26inline%3d1%26rfc%3d0%26empty%3dFalse%26imgsrc%3dcid%253aimage001.gif%254001C87ACC.6FCA38E0&oneredir=1&ip=10.1.106.222&d=d1771&mf=0"alt="cid:image0...@01C87AC9.E78ECDD0">
>
>
>
>
> <SPANstyle='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'> id="Picture_x0020_2"
> src="http://by124w.bay124.mail.live.com/mail/SafeRedirect.aspx?hm__tg=http%3a%2f%2f207.46.11.249%2fatt%2fGetAttachment.aspx&hm__qs=file%3d94a863cd-952a-482a-b1e4-a3010568a1e2.gif%26ct%3daW1hZ2UvZ2lm%26name%3daW1hZ2UwMDIuZ2lm%26inline%3d1%26rfc%3d0%26empty%3dFalse%26imgsrc%3dcid%253aimage002.gif%254001C87ACC.6FCA38E0&oneredir=1&ip=10.1.106.222&d=d1771&mf=0"alt="cid:image0...@01C87AC9.E78ECDD0">
>
> <SPANstyle='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>
> <SPANclass=detailheadlinestyle1>Menino Pulls Supportfor Lowe's StoreBy
> <Ahref="http://www.bankerandtradesman.com/cgi-bin/udt/im.author.contact.view?client_id=bankerandtradesman&story_id=198867&title=Menino%20Pulls%20Support%20for%20Lowe%26%23146%3Bs%20Store&author=Thomas%20Grillo&address=http%3A//www.bankerandtradesman.com/issues/5%5F325/breakingnews/198867%2D1.html&summary=%3Ci%3EBy%20Thomas%20Grillo%3C/i%3E%3Cbr%3EFollowing%20intense%20community%20opposition%2C%20the%20Menino%20administration%20has%20withdrawn%20its%20support%20for%20the%20first%20Lowe%26%23146%3Bs%20Home%20Improvement%20store%20in%20Boston."><SPANstyle='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Thomas
> Grillo<SPANstyle='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>Reporter<SPANstyle='font-size:10.0pt;color:black'>
> Following intense community opposition, the Menino administration
> haswithdrawn its support for the first Lowe's Home Improvement store
> inBoston.
> Last summer, the North Carolina-based chain proposed a
> 194,679-square-footwarehouse at the abandoned Barry Controls manufacturing
> plant on Guest Streetin Brighton. But opponents said the project would
> compound traffic problems,causing a nightmare for residents who already
> are besieged by gridlock.
> Until now, Mayor Thomas M. Menino has expressed support for the project.
> Butthe mayor wanted assurances that the additional traffic could be
> managed. Thebig-box store's fate may have been sealed at a public hearing
> on Mondaynight when the company's traffic survey revealed that the
> two-level storewould add 3,306 vehicle trips on weekdays and 5,068 on
> Saturdays, as well as 55semi-trailers to the neighborhood.
> "When we saw the traffic study, it became clear to everyone that
> thisproject would create an undue hardship for the neighborhood,
> especially onweekends," said John F. Palmieri, director of the Boston
> RedevelopmentAuthority (BRA). "We want to continue to work with Lowe's to
> findan appropriate location in the city, but the Brighton site is not
> viable forthat use."
> Peter Leis, a North Beacon Street resident and member of the Impact
> AdvisoryGroup, a panel formed to advise the BRA on development projects,
> expressedshock over the city's reversal.
> "Wow," he said. "I had heard that Mayor Menino favored theproject. I'm
> pleased because it's a recognition by the BRA and thecity of our
> community's concerns about this store."
> Leis stressed that the neighborhood is not anti-development, but that
> moretraffic from a giant retailer would be overwhelming. "It would have
> beenlike a tidal wave coming through our streets," Leis said. "We favorthe
> right development, but Lowe's is not it."
> State Rep. Michael J. Moran, a Brighton Democrat and a project
> critic,hailed the mayor's decision. He praised Menino and the BRA
> forconsidering the impact that Lowe's would have on the
> alreadytraffic-choked streets of Brighton.
> "There's definitely a feeling in the neighborhood that theaddition of
> [thousands of motorists] would be very tough for thisneighborhood," he
> said. "There was almost no support forLowe's at several public hearings.
> Tom Menino and the BRA pay attentionto those things."
> Jeffrey Dirk, vice president at Vanasse & Assoc., an Andover-basedtraffic
> engineering firm who did the study for Lowe's, did not returnrepeated
> calls seeking comment.
> Lawrence LePere, Lowe's site development manager, could not be reachedfor
> comment.
>
>
> <<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>
> Jay Rourke
> Senior Project Manager
> Boston Redevelopment Authority
> One City Hall Plaza
> Boston Massachusetts 02201
> 617.918.4317 - w
> 617.742.7783 - f
> jay.rou...@cityofboston.gov
>
>
>
>
>
> The substance of this message, including any attachments, may be
> confidential, legally privileged and/or exempt from disclosure pursuant to
> Massachusetts law. It is intended solely for the addressee. If you
> received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material
> from any computer.
>
>
>
>
> Help make the earth a greener place. If at all possible resist printing
> this email and join us in saving paper.
>
> _________________________________________________________________
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>
> i have lived in allston brighton all my 50 years. which is long enough
> to know that i can get to that shopping center without going on to north
> beacon street or market street at all.
> now if the city planners only allowed us to go home the same route.
> (sigh).
>
>> Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:24:07 -0500> Subject: [AB2006] Re: Lowes Home
>> Center -- Over and Out?> From: da...@sailonset.com> To:
>> AllstonBr...@googlegroups.com> > > Clearly you don't live near
Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.
>
> Greetings to all,
> I would like to present another perspective to the possibility of the
> opening of Lowes on Guest Street (prior Barry Controls site)
>
>
> Sincerely,
> Rosie Hanlon?
Where else? If Harvard hadn't snuck in, I'd say the old Sears site, which
is by a highway interchange, although a rather crowded one already. Or
somewhere off Western Ave, if there were room for more traffic and the
agreement of that neighborhood.
Perhaps box box stores just don't belong in an "urban" neighborhood,
already too dense to handle normal traffic and a few special events
without congestion.
This is what planning is all about. We have zoning, but that obviously
doesn't restrict new development. What do we want our neighborhood to look
like? What do we need? How can we accommodate those needs? What does the
city need from us? What do we have to give up to provide that?
dge
While I did not attend last week's meeting, I have read the traffic
section of the PNF which shows the preliminary traffic study and the
methodology.
Lowe's starts with an estimate of the total number of vehicular trips to
their store. They they reduce that number of trips by a fudge factor to
account for people who are already visiting a store nearby (e.g., Stop &
Shop).
In the PNF, they said that the fudge factor could reduce the number of
trips by 50%, but they assumed a more conservative 25% reduction in the
PNF. Dave Evan's response, apparently based on last week's meeting
presentation, indicates that they went for the bigger reduction of 50%
-- a way to minimize the traffic impacts.
Even with that approach to minimizing traffic in their study by 50%
rather than 25%, the resulting increase in traffic from building the
store still appears to have far more than Mayor Menino could accept for
that neighborhood and its infrastructure.
-Mike
> On Mar 3, 8:54 pm, "David Evans" <d...@sailonset.com> wrote:
>
>> Rosie,
>> Let me address one point. The increase they described for one (1!) hour
>> mid-day Saturday would up the traffic count by 150%. And this was after
>> they (and BTD) lowered the expected traffic by a half (I'm going on what
>> one of the New Balance people said)!
>> I won't even talk about what the difference would be on Sunday; oddly
>> enough they didn't either.
>> As I said in my post last week, it would be wonderful to have such a store
>> here. But not exactly here.
>> dge
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> Greetings to all,
>>> I would like to present another perspective to the possibility of the
>>> opening of Lowes on Guest Street (prior Barry Controls site)
>>>
>>> Sincerely,
>>> Rosie Hanlon?- Hide quoted text -
>>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>>
>
> >
>
>
--
Michael A. Pahre
76 Foster Street Phone (617)787-8228
Brighton, MA 02135 USA Cell (617)216-1447
pa...@comcast.net
Brighton Centered Blog: http://brighton-community.blogspot.com/
Cheers,
David Schaich
AllstonBrighton2006 group wrote:
> ==============================================================================
> TOPIC: Lowes Home Center ~ another perspective
> http://groups.google.com/group/AllstonBrighton2006/browse_thread/thread/e72beffe6e9632b5?hl=en
> ==============================================================================
>
> == 1 of 2 ==
> Date: Mon, Mar 3 2008 1:11 pm
> From: talkh...@aol.com
>
> ...
>
> Opposition of this project is of course TRAFFIC!? And that is of great concern to us all... but lets look at this again... As stated in the public presentation last week we will be looking at 55 semi trailers PER WEEK ... that is an average of 11 trips per day... spread out from 7 am to 7 pm.? It is certainly not a convoy of trucks plowing through the neighborhood.? We are looking at an average of 3306 vehicular trips per day... that is ROUND TRIPS ... which means an average of 1653 vehicles a day in a time span?of about 17 hours ...?we are looking at weekend traffic of an average of 5068 vehicular trips per day again ROUND TRIPs?which means 2534 vehicles in a time span of?about 17 hours.???The infrastructure improvements include traffic synchronization with a very inclusive radius that spans beyond Union Square ... up to St. Elizabeth's and Market Street...also, way finding signage to route traffic away from residential roadways will be included..
>
> ...
>
What kind of businesses do you want?
Should they have a regional draw or a local draw?
Should they be car-oriented or people-oriented?
Should they be in an existing business district along with other complementary businesses or off by themselves?
In general, I would think that Brighton would fare best with businesses with local draw, more people oriented than car oriented, but potentially providing shared parking that other nearby businesses could benefit from, and located in existing business districts or in a newly created clusters of business.
Based on my own knowledge, a Lowes in the proposed location would surely have a regional draw, as it would be the only Lowes in the immediate Boston area. It would be mainly car-oriented with all of its parking dedicated solely for Lowes. And it would be pretty much by itself, not near any other businesses. So, you'll end up with potentially a lot of regional traffic, especially on weekends, and those customers would most likely be going to Lowes and then going home. For the most part Brighton does not have many car-oriented business (nor should it in my opinion). If Brighton needs more hardware or home improvement stores, they should be smaller and neighborhood oriented and not encourage regional traffic on an already overburdened street grid.
Charlie
There's businesses and there's businesses. As Mike Moran has stated
several times, how another world headquarters to jion WGHB, New Balance
and Newbury Comics? Construction and jobs and taxes, but not 24x7 traffic.
Location? There's a big open space between Cleveland Circle and the
Waterworks. Putting a big box store there would be convenient to Brighton,
Brookline, Chestnut Hill and Netwon. It's at a major crossroads and near
two T lines. And save the city or DCR big time on maintenance!
dge
> There's businesses and there's businesses. As Mike Moran has stated
> several times, how another world headquarters to jion WGHB, New Balance
> and Newbury Comics? Construction and jobs and taxes, but not 24x7 traffic.
> Location? There's a big open space between Cleveland Circle and the
> Waterworks. Putting a big box store there would be convenient to Brighton,
> Brookline, Chestnut Hill and Netwon. It's at a major crossroads and near
> two T lines. And save the city or DCR big time on maintenance!
Let me reply to a couple of your many points; others have answered others.
> David, as the ABCDC Board Member (maybe even the Chairman of the Board
> now), you have been on record many times stating that A-B needs
> affordable housing for lower middle-class people (i.e., low and medium
> wage earners) -- and such housing continues to be built around here
> (e.g., proposal for Charles View and 1501 Comm. Ave.)
For the record, the CDC has nothing to do with Charlesview, which has
existed since the destruction of Barry's Corner in the early days of Urban
Renewal.
Affordable housing is needed in A-B, but that doesn't mean that all
"blue-collar" jobs must be in A-B. People like to live here; they don't
have to work here. (Although better transit might make this more
"workable." There are many jobs in Boston that do not pay wages to support
the purchase (or rental) of market-rate dwellings. You have supported
diversity in many of your comments; it can't happen with only market-rate
housing, IMHO.
> In contrast, Lowe’s in A-B would be just by itself, and vehicles would
> be approaching it, and dispersing in three directions — towards Market,
> North Beacon, and Everett Streets.
QED! The last three streets are exactly those already beyond capacity.
> Also, the neighborhood could ask the BRA to execute an agreement with
> Lowe’s guaranteeing a route (and the least objectionable timing) of
> deliveries via Guest Street (and Soldiers Field Road), so as not to
> cause disruption to people who live on Market, North Beacon, and Everett.
Amazingly enough, the traffic plan included all of this. Although not the
use of Soldiers Field Road, which is closed to commercial vehicles. I hope
you wouldn't want that changed!
That said, a simple test of traffic "guarantees" would be to watch the
entrance to Stop & Shop form the Everett St. bridge. It has only one
allowable use: a right turn off the bridge. Almost every time I cross the
bridge, someone is entering or exiting illegally.
dge
> Eva,
> I must admit you raise some very good points. I also agree about the
> point you make concerning the 'devil you know' vs. 'the devel you
> don't'.
>
> I just want to comment on one of the points you make concerning a
> developer coming in and bullying the community. Again, you are
> absolutely correct about your concerns, but when/if the time comes
> when a developer decides to build something (whatever it may be), and
> it proves to be detrimental to the neighborhood or it comes at the
> neighborhhood's expense, then we as residents of Allston/Brighton MUST
> hold our representative's feet (Ciommo, Moran, Tolman, Honan,etc) to
> the fire and have them do what's right for the community. I understand
> NB came in and did as they saw fit, but I am seeing a lot more
> community involvement lately as a result of some of the other issues
> concerning A/B (BC's IMP, the CharlesView/Harvard landswap, Lowes,
> rowdy students living in neighborhoods, etc) and the residents should
> not back down down!
>
> We do have a say.
> For the record, the CDC has nothing to do with Charlesview, which has
> existed since the destruction of Barry's Corner in the early days of Urban
> Renewal.
> Affordable housing is needed in A-B, but that doesn't mean that all
> "blue-collar" jobs must be in A-B. People like to live here; they don't
> have to work here.
> The last three streets [Market, North Beacon, and Everett Streets] are exactly those already beyond capacity.
>> Also, the neighborhood could ask the BRA to execute an agreement with
>> Lowe's guaranteeing a route (and the least objectionable timing) of
>> deliveries via Guest Street (and Soldiers Field Road), so as not to
>> cause disruption to people who live on Market, North Beacon, and Everett.
>
> Amazingly enough, the traffic plan included all of this. Although not the
> use of Soldiers Field Road, which is closed to commercial vehicles. I hope
> you wouldn't want that changed!
> That said, a simple test of traffic "guarantees" would be to watch the
> entrance to Stop & Shop form the Everett St. bridge. It has only one
> allowable use: a right turn off the bridge. Almost every time I cross the
> bridge, someone is entering or exiting illegally.
There is a City/BRA Back Streets Program that tries to foster or maintain
exactly what you are suggesting. My guess is that there is a lack of
funding (something tells me that Barry Controls wants a lot for that
site). I don't know how many small businesses are looking for an
"incubator," but they are a fine addition to a community and the economy.
dge
I'm not sure that's exactly correct! I think you might find, that when the
Pat's as well as the Sox thought about Southie, the local political climate
expected more than any smart business person was willing to give and that
wasn't necessarily the will of the people. There was no compromise and with
that Kraft and McCourt decided on plan B!
Having said that, If I were to wake up tomorrow and found I had a
representative or senator with the clout and chutzpah that Southie enjoyed,
I'd be a happy camper!
JRP
-----Original Message-----
From: AllstonBr...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:AllstonBr...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of
ab_resi...@hotmail.com
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 10:02 AM
To: AllstonBrighton2006
Subject: [AB2006] Re: Lowes Home Center ~ please reconsider opposition
I’m all for out-of-the-box thinking and bold ideas, and also bemoan the deepening loss of the manufacturing base in the US -- so I just hate to dash your well-meant hopes for the Barry Controls site.
“Why not convert Barry Controls into a unique manufacturing facility, housing manufacturing thinktanks, small startup manufacturing operations of all kinds, a "Center of Manufacturing Innovation," if you will. The shell and general infrastructure is there; it need not be destroyed to be rebuilt.”
“Lowes was the wrong idea in the wrong place at the wrong time. I am pleased and amazed that the Mayor and his cronies actually figured this one out.”
Michael Greene
-----Original Message-----
From: AllstonBr...@googlegroups.com [mailto:AllstonBr...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of ab_resi...@hotmail.com
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 2:13 PM
To: AllstonBrighton2006
Subject: [AB2006] Re: Lowes Home Center ~ please reconsider opposition
> Eva,
> I am honestly saddened by some of your comments concerning the nature
> of the political process concerning our local representatives.
> I will give you a perfect example of how a community can greatly determine
> what is developed and what is not. Do you remember when Robert Kraft wanted to
> build the new Patriots stadium on the waterfront in South Boston? (...) Why
> do you think the stadium was never built there even though it was shown that
> it would bring many jobs and resources to the area? I'll tell you why -
> because the locals told their local reps that they did not want it there...and
> the reps listened!
> I actually believe that even if some sort of office park or building complex
> goes up it would not create the same magnitude of problems as would Lowes. You
> mention that having a "steel-and-glass corporate high rise" would have no
> connection to our lives, but the bigger fear is the detrimental " connection"
> a Lowes would in fact have on our lives.
> I stress that If you want to see a preview of things to come if Lowes were to
> be located in Brighton just try driving through Washington, Market, or other
> main streets leading to or around Brighton Center during these high traffic
> hours.
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“I'm a bit amused that you speak of eliminating needless driving and increasing oil costs after you've just proposed solutions that will result in more people driving.”So it appears that you, Charlie, would rather keep traffic bad, cumbersome and aggravating, just to discourage people from driving.
I bristle when I hear such pronouncements not because I’m opposed to public transportation (I appreciated it very much in Warsaw, London, and Manhattan, where I used to live) -- but because anti-driving advocates imply that not owning/using a vehicle is somehow more virtuous than having one’s own transportation.
“If we really want to reduce congestion and reduce needless driving (thereby improving the situation for those that must drive), we should all be advocating for better MBTA service and encouraging development that serves the neighborhood in a way that they don't have to drive there.”
----- Original Message -----From: colleen salmonSent: Monday, March 10, 2008 12:18 PMSubject: [AB2006] More on Rite Aid
----- Original Message -----
From: colleen salmon <mailto:colleen...@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 12:18 PM
Subject: [AB2006] More on Rite Aid
Hi Everyone,
On Saturday I was across the street from Rite Aid at a party. The building is in even worse shape than two weeks ago (I have attached pictures). A young man at the gathering observed a man in a grey hooded shirt and jeans enter the Rite Aid through the front door...apparently they never secured the entrance door. The building should be demolished because it is a danger and an eyesore. People have not had access to the sidewalk on Market Street all winter so even in snow storms pedestrians must walk out onto a very busy street to get past the building. Every week the collapsed wall gets worse...are they just waiting for it to completely fall down? It has been three months and that building makes Brighton look terrible and is a hazard. I don't understand why Rite Aid has not been forced to demolish the building.
Colleen
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If you have an opinion about the Rite-Aid store, if you think it's
safe/unsafe, beautiful/ugly, etc., please write to her with your opinion:
-Mike
--
Michael A. Pahre
76 Foster Street Phone (617)787-8228
Brighton, MA 02135 USA Cell (617)216-1447
pa...@comcast.net
Brighton Centered Blog: http://brighton-community.blogspot.com/
Back in Fall 2005/Winter 2006, a study was conducted to identify key transportation issues and opportunities in Allston Brighton. It was funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority to the Brighton Allston Improvement Association and the Allston Brighton CDC. Its purpose was to identify transportation-related issues and opportunities that would provide a case to the City for a comprehensive transportation study of the entire Allston Brighton neighborhood.
It was conducted by Howard/Stein-Hudson Associates and overseen by a coalition of local organizations including the Brighton Allston Improvement Association, Allston Village Main Streets, Allston Brighton CDC, and Hobart Park Neighborhood Association.
Attached are the products of the study and the workshop accompanying it.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ava Chan, Community Organizer
Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation
"Working Together, Building Community"
320 Washington St., 3rd Fl., Brighton, MA 02135
From:
AllstonBr...@googlegroups.com
[mailto:AllstonBr...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Eva Webster
Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 3:22 PM
To: Charlie Denison
Cc: ab_resi...@hotmail.com; AllstonBrighton2006
Subject: [AB2006] Re: Solution to A-B traffic issues
This message is lengthy but discusses what is probably the
key issue we face in Allston-Brighton.
This past Friday, I made a posting to this group proposing that A-B traffic
issues could be improved/mitigated (so the neighborhood could better withstand
traffic impacts of inevitable developments in AB North and around BC) if a we
had a detailed professional, independent, neighborhood-wide traffic analysis
done -- culminating with a well thought through “A-B Traffic Improvement Plan”,
and followed, hopefully, by prompt implementation.
Well... I was promptly reminded that getting anything productive done in the
public realm is always an uphill battle. Why? Because public
projects require strong, unanimous support from local citizens — but there are
always some folks who will voice contradictory opinions, whether it is
warranted or not, which diminishes the energy of those pushing for positive
change (and the likelihood that change will occur when it’s needed).
Example: in response to my message, I got a response that made me think,
“Here we go again!”.
> ...I agree that cars serve an important role in the mobility of society today.
> I do feel, however, that you overemphasize the importance of them in the city
> ...your goal of making driving easier in Brighton by making the roads more
> car-friendly is unattainable.
> My point is that your "solutions" of removing parking and making one-way
> streets will simply generate more traffic, and you'll end up with even worse
> congestion that you started with.
> This is a well-proven concept called induced demand.
> According to the BRA, approximately 1/3 of A-B residents do not
> own cars. Imagine the congestion if they all did. Where would they
> park them? How could you possibly expand the roads enough to
> accommodate them? (You couldn't.)
> Having traffic running through the neighborhood in general degrades
> the quality of life of those who live there.
> I would only oppose traffic improvements that degrade the experience
> of other users (pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, etc).
> I would also ask that we ask for "transportation improvements", not just
> traffic ones.
> In times of disaster, evacuation by car almost always fails. It's like rush
> hour times 1000. (...) Fleets of buses would have been able to transport far
> more people far more quickly and efficiently than if everyone had tried to use
> a car.
It depends on the size and location of the potential disaster. With a local, not regional, disaster, there is no question that everyone being able to escape in private vehicles is the fastest and most practical way. Private cars can head directly for the homes of friends and relatives of the displaced individuals, including out of state, or to the airports. Even in a wide, regional disaster, traffic can be managed via the radio or recorded telephone updates. Worse comes to worse, people would rather sleep in their cars and vans than find themselves completely homeless.
> What New Orleans lacked was a feasible evacuation plan.
> If people are poor, why would you require that they spend $7000 a year
> (the average yearly costs) to own and maintain a car?
> If we can provide them with quality public transportation and build
> neighborhoods where it is actually possible to walk and bike to at least some
> of the places people need to go to, isn't that an even better option for them,
> to help make their money go further.
> The state also has no money for roads and bridges either. There is a $15
> billion backlog of maintenance that it cannot do. Where would you suggest
> that it get more money to make even more traffic improvements?
> We already do have a public transportation network that functions
> quite well, especially compared to elsewhere in the country, where
> people have no other options but to drive. It's not perfect, but it
> serves many people quite well (about 500,000 a day if I remember
> correctly. Imagine if all those people used their cars instead.)
> My point is that if you can reduce these needs (to drive), you'll improve
> traffic congestion and make the neighborhood more pleasant for everyone.
> Commercial rents in downtown Boston have reached $100 per square foot, the
> highest ever, higher than in Allston-Brighton, and higher than in the suburbs.
> If downtown Boston were overdeveloped, as you seem to think it is
> "overdeveloped", than the opposite would be true.
> Back Bay and Beacon Hill are some of the most expensive and highly coveted
> neighborhoods in the nation to live. Most people who live there do not own
> cars. I do not think they would view themselves as suffering without them.
> There are and will continue to be people who choose to live without a
> car or do not depend on one very heavily.
> I'm sure many of the 1/3 of the people in Allston-Brighton who do not own cars
> made that choice consciously and willingly, and chose to live in an area where
> they actually have other options. You should be thanking these people for
> their choices, as their lack of cars makes the roads less congested for you
> and others who do use them.
Keep up the debate but not with rancor. Your vigorous
emailings has caused me to appreciate the complexity
of our future, and made me more determined than ever
that our communities have a voice in that future.
I'm new to this aspect of the Harvard destruction and
was wondering-
I was wondering if a commuter rail station was part of
the Harvard development plan--it would seem reasonable
being as the commuter rail Framingham line passes
within feet of the development area.
Are extensive bike paths for students and workers
commuting between the Cambridge and Allston campuses
planned? How many buses per day? How many shuttles?
Why would you want to pass a bus? I travel
extensively through Boston by bus and can think of no
street where this currently occurs (at least legally).
Are pathways for more leisurely strolls planned for
the banks of the Charles River, do we know where the
water level will be in 50 years (global warming) and
of course, will Allstonians and Brightonites be
welcomed? We certainly are not welcomed to use the
"public" access to the Charles River's bank via Boston
University.
After reading both of your posts carefully, I find a
four lane Western Avenue unacceptable on a number of
fronts which I won't rehash here. However, with
continuing and respectful debate we will find the
solution which works for our neighborhood, and then be
ignored by the BRA/Harvard.
Barbara
> cars, and easing drivers¹
>
=== message truncated ===
____________________________________________________________________________________
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Allston Landing
The Beacon Yards Rail terminal in Allston provides a multimodal transfer point between the CSX rail network, the Port of Boston, and the Boston metropolitan area.
MassPike recently sold the rail yard to Harvard University for possible future development as part of their proposed Allston campus expansion.
The railroad through-connections are critical to the region’s freight and passenger rail networks. Currently, CSX holds a permanent railroad easement over the land. During negotiations on the sale of the yard, EOT and the MBTA successfully negotiated rights for freight and passenger operations on a portion of the yard in the event of any future transfer of the permanent easements, thereby protecting the public’s interest at this important facility.
In addition, the proximity of the railyard to the Boston area and the Port of Boston makes it an important element of the regional freight distribution system. EOT’s effort to work with Harvard University, CSX, the MBTA, and the City of Boston is aimed at ensuring that a solid freight network continues to serve the port, the City of Boston, and the New England region. To that end, EOT is currently conducting a study to explore ways to ensure a strong port-to-rail connection at Allston or on dock. Allston Landing and Beacon Yards will also be addressed comprehensively as part of the state’s upcoming Freight Plan.
I woulds suggest contacting David Mohler, the Director of Planning at EOT, for further information that cannot be found on the website lsted above.
Nathan Spencer
Phone: (617) 653-7085
Email: nathan_...@hotmail.com