Formation of the Cleveland Circle Improvement Community Task Force

[Eva Webster]

Dear Neighbors and Friends in Allston-Brighton, Brookline and Newton:

The process for large, mixed-use development in Cleveland Circle is quickly gaining speed.

Here are some highlights of the project, as currently proposed, that convey its size:

• 107,000 SF 180-room hotel (139 rooms in Boston; 41 rooms in Brookline)
• 48,000 SF of Office Space (medical uses)
• 17,000 SF of Retail (including an 8,500 SF restaurant)
• associated parking (seems insufficient; some of it would be shared between hotel and office space users; medical buildings are notorious for attracting motorized visitors.)
  

The details of the project, no doubt, come as a surprise to most Brighton residents who have heard nothing about the development so far, or only hear second-hand information that has been filtering from Brookline, where several public meetings have already taken place.

(The reason for the more advanced process in Brookline is that the developer is asking for up-zoning of the part of the cinema parcel that is located in Brookline; just the parking lot in the front.  Most of the development will be in Brighton, including on Applebee’s site, on land that does not require re-zoning.  The project will, however, most likely require zoning variances.)

Overall, this is a great opportunity for very substantial improvements in Cleveland Circle, but one that also carries substantial risks.  If not done right, the complex may end up being esthetically and functionally disappointing, contribute little to the community -- and the impacts it will generate may snag traffic for thousands of people who go through Cleveland Circle every day.

It appears that the BRA’s intent is not to have the Article 80 public review process in Boston until the developer can be reasonably sure how much he can develop in Brookline — but whether that is the right approach is debatable.  Most people (even in Brookline), upon reflection, would probably agree that the whole project (both on the cinema and Applebee’s site) should be carefully conceived and designed as one -- with the overall impacts and desirable improvements in mind first and foremost — and not be driven by Brookline changing or not changing zoning at this time.  

The up-zoning decision would be better informed if it happened following a detailed public discussion, design process, and written feedback from residents of all surrounding neighborhoods.

There is an urgent need for people with a stake in this matter to come together and formulate neighborhood-friendly objectives, and then see to their implementation.  The goal is to have all Cleveland Circle stakeholders represented, actively involved, and talking with one another — so a well-thought-through, supportable community vision for this project can emerge. Such a group should be all-inclusive and govern itself in a democratic way.

ABRA (Aberdeen-Brighton Residents Association) has a meeting room booked in the basement at Roggie’s (356 Chestnut Hill Ave.) this coming Tuesday, March 8, at 7 p.m.  We decided to forgo our regular meeting to instead call for an organizational meeting that will launch an independent (from ABRA or anybody else) inter-municipal civic group, tentatively called the CLEVELAND CIRCLE IMPROVEMENT COMMUNITY TASK FORCE (participants will decide on the name and all other relevant issues; please email if you have a better idea for the name but cannot attend the meeting).

A desire to have a Brighton-Allston/Brookline/Newton civic group focused exclusively on Cleveland Circle has been expressed by many people over the years.  In fact, while this Task Force will need to immediately focus on the upcoming development, we anticipate that it will also engage in other public and private improvement initiatives that are needed to beautify, transform, and maintain Cleveland Circle as an attractive town center.

Since the MBTA, a state agency, has dominant presence in Cleveland Circle, and Beacon Street spans through 3 municipalities — one does not need to be a Brighton/Boston resident to be able to help with Cleveland Circle matters.

With respect to the proposed development project, there are many issues to be discussed and questions that need to be answered.  For example:

• Is the amount of retail space that is proposed sufficient to help Cleveland Circle become a more attractive and desirable location for shoppers and diners?
  

• Should the hotel building be located right next to the trolley tracks, which brings it closer to Clinton Road residential abutters (while also prevents it from enhancing Cleveland Circle’s urban streetscape)?
  

• Shouldn’t the plan include a restaurant on Applebee’s site with an outdoor sitting overlooking the park?
  

• Where is the ideal point of vehicular access to the site in order to minimize obstruction to Chestnut Hill Avenue traffic?
  

 

• Should the complex have only one point of access (the second one, if helpful, might not require a light; only a right turn)?
  

• Can the complex be designed in a way that would not be forcing all cars associated with the project on Chestnut Hill Ave.?
  

• Wouldn’t it be better to have the buildings, or parts of them, taller -- but with a smaller footprint — to make more room for pedestrian uses, attractive landscaping, and parking (to prevent visitors to medical offices from parking on neighboring streets or taking precious parking spaces in Cleveland Circle)?
  

• Is it really necessary to have delivery/service vehicles for the entire complex to go through a tiny courtyard where the hotel’s main entrance is? (this does not square with a quality hotel!)
  

• If the hotel is hidden from Cleveland Circle — obscured by medical office buildings — how is this lack of visibility going to be helping with its marketing, with making it a well-known landmark and thus enhancing Cleveland’s Circle sense of new, improved identity?
  

• Is Hampton Inn and Suites the only hotel chain that is being considered, and can it be still subject to change?
  

• Can the hotel be run by Hampton Inn & Suites, but have a different, unique name that would be associated with this location?
  

Please forward this message to anyone who may be interested in attending the launching meeting for the Cleveland Circle Task Force.  We need individuals who can think and act like leaders, and others who can support effective leaders.

If you have any questions or ideas, please feel free to email or call.

Sincerely,

Eva Webster
617-277-4708



 






 

 
, or any other group of stakeholders would like to facilitate  




 



  



 

[Christopher Ditunno]

Eva: Thank you for organizing this meeting. As you know, I agree that this is an important issue. Just as a heads up, some of us may be unable to attend because the MBTA is holding a meeting regarding the Route 66 bus that I believe conflicts with the date/time of your meeting. Thanks, Chris D.

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Namaste,*
Chris Ditunno

* "I honor the Spirit in you which is also in me."