Major development contemplated in Cleveland Circle
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Eva Webster
Nov 4, 2009, 9:00:59 PM11/4/09
to AllstonBrighton2006
We recently had a discussion here about the A-B Tab vis-à-vis the Brookline Tab — and my point was that the Brookline paper is much better staffed, and therefore has more and better quality content. Here is an excellent proof of that (see article pasted below — a link, as well as the text).
It’s the Brookline Tab - not the A-B Tab -- that goes to the trouble of covering, in detail, recent developments concerning some major changes that may be coming to Cleveland Circle. We in Brighton are lucky that the Brookline paper keeps us informed of what may be happening in our neighborhood.
By the way, if anyone is interested in Cleveland Circle issues, you may wish to sign up to the the Aberdeen google group, which keeps an eye on that area to a much greater degree than AB2006. Send me an email if you want to be signed up.
Eva
-----------------------------
http://www.wickedlocal.com/brookline/news/x896788584/Study-Cleveland-Circle-development-unlikely-without-Boston-Brookline-collaboration
Study: Cleveland Circle development unlikely without Boston-Brookline collaboration
In order for a rail yard outside the Reservoir T station in Cleveland Circle to be developed, Brookline and Boston will need to work together to redevelop the entire area, including changing traffic patterns, according to a study.
By Neal Simpson/staff writer
Wicked Local Brookline
Posted Nov 04, 2009 @ 09:50 AM
Brookline —
An underused rail yard in Cleveland Circle will likely remain that way unless officials from Brookline, Boston and the MBTA are willing to work together to redevelop the entire neighborhood, a group of industry experts said last week.
Volunteers for the Urban Land Institute said the 4-acre MBTA site on the Boston-Brookline border presented so many building challenges that it would be nearly impossible for a single developer to build there. Instead, the group, which came to its conclusions after two full days of interviews and study, recommended that both municipalities sit down with the MBTA to work out a master plan for the development of the entire Cleveland Circle neighborhood.
“We can’t look at this in isolation of the larger context,” said Daniel St. Clair, a member of the ULI panel and managing director at Jones Lang LaSalle, a commercial real estate firm.
ULI began studying Reservoir Station earlier this month at the suggestion of the MBTA, which has been exploring T property where so-called “air rights” could be leased to developers interested in building on top of existing train tracks and rail yards. The Reservoir Station property is adjacent to several other properties ripe for development, including the abandoned Circle Cinema building and the adjacent Applebee’s property, both of which are for sale.
But the ULI team found it would be extremely difficult to build anything new at the station without consolidating T operations, which includes a car house, maintenance tracks and employee parking. Developers would be forced to build any new construction on top of an expensive platform that would protect workers and allow trains to run as normal, St. Clair said.
That kind of construction would likely cost around $400 per square foot for the platform alone. At that rate, St. Clair said, a developer would have to build a structure at least eight to 16 stories tall just to break even, and more if they wanted to make any money.
“You’re not gong to build an air-rights building here unless you build it pretty tall,” he said.
And then there’s the Cleveland Circle logjam. The intersection is already so jammed with car traffic, made worse by the trolleys moving between the B, C and D lines, that the ULI team recommended that the intersection receive a complete overhaul before any major development takes place. The team suggested the intersection be pulled in tighter, with better crossings for pedestrians.
“It’s already at its full capacity, or near its full capacity,” St. Clair said. “Improvements would need to me made to increase the flow of traffic.”
The team also suggested that any future development in Cleveland Circle be brought all the way to the street edge to form a uniform storefront, rather than allowing buildings to sit back behind large parking lots, like on the Circle Cinema and Applebee’s sites.
Despite the hurdles, panel members said it would be possible to develop Cleveland Circle further if neighborhood leaders, municipal officials and the MBTA were willing to sit down at the same table. Members suggested Boston and Brookline launch a joint master-planning process, and develop a way for developers to get approval for multiple parcels in different jurisdictions more easily.
Kara Brewton, Brookline’s economic development director, said she has already begun talking with Boston officials about jointly seeking state grants to pay for further study of Cleveland Circle’s traffic problems.
“Those discussions, on a staff level, were very fruitful,” she said. “What I hope to get out of this presentation is a megaphone to those who have more power — political power — to get a relationship between the two municipalities actually started.
“Even if the process were to end after one meeting of the two municipalities getting together, it would be a remarkable achievement,” she added.
It’s the Brookline Tab - not the A-B Tab -- that goes to the trouble of covering, in detail, recent developments concerning some major changes that may be coming to Cleveland Circle. We in Brighton are lucky that the Brookline paper keeps us informed of what may be happening in our neighborhood.
By the way, if anyone is interested in Cleveland Circle issues, you may wish to sign up to the the Aberdeen google group, which keeps an eye on that area to a much greater degree than AB2006. Send me an email if you want to be signed up.
Eva
-----------------------------
http://www.wickedlocal.com/brookline/news/x896788584/Study-Cleveland-Circle-development-unlikely-without-Boston-Brookline-collaboration
Study: Cleveland Circle development unlikely without Boston-Brookline collaboration
In order for a rail yard outside the Reservoir T station in Cleveland Circle to be developed, Brookline and Boston will need to work together to redevelop the entire area, including changing traffic patterns, according to a study.
By Neal Simpson/staff writer
Wicked Local Brookline
Posted Nov 04, 2009 @ 09:50 AM
Brookline —
An underused rail yard in Cleveland Circle will likely remain that way unless officials from Brookline, Boston and the MBTA are willing to work together to redevelop the entire neighborhood, a group of industry experts said last week.
Volunteers for the Urban Land Institute said the 4-acre MBTA site on the Boston-Brookline border presented so many building challenges that it would be nearly impossible for a single developer to build there. Instead, the group, which came to its conclusions after two full days of interviews and study, recommended that both municipalities sit down with the MBTA to work out a master plan for the development of the entire Cleveland Circle neighborhood.
“We can’t look at this in isolation of the larger context,” said Daniel St. Clair, a member of the ULI panel and managing director at Jones Lang LaSalle, a commercial real estate firm.
ULI began studying Reservoir Station earlier this month at the suggestion of the MBTA, which has been exploring T property where so-called “air rights” could be leased to developers interested in building on top of existing train tracks and rail yards. The Reservoir Station property is adjacent to several other properties ripe for development, including the abandoned Circle Cinema building and the adjacent Applebee’s property, both of which are for sale.
But the ULI team found it would be extremely difficult to build anything new at the station without consolidating T operations, which includes a car house, maintenance tracks and employee parking. Developers would be forced to build any new construction on top of an expensive platform that would protect workers and allow trains to run as normal, St. Clair said.
That kind of construction would likely cost around $400 per square foot for the platform alone. At that rate, St. Clair said, a developer would have to build a structure at least eight to 16 stories tall just to break even, and more if they wanted to make any money.
“You’re not gong to build an air-rights building here unless you build it pretty tall,” he said.
And then there’s the Cleveland Circle logjam. The intersection is already so jammed with car traffic, made worse by the trolleys moving between the B, C and D lines, that the ULI team recommended that the intersection receive a complete overhaul before any major development takes place. The team suggested the intersection be pulled in tighter, with better crossings for pedestrians.
“It’s already at its full capacity, or near its full capacity,” St. Clair said. “Improvements would need to me made to increase the flow of traffic.”
The team also suggested that any future development in Cleveland Circle be brought all the way to the street edge to form a uniform storefront, rather than allowing buildings to sit back behind large parking lots, like on the Circle Cinema and Applebee’s sites.
Despite the hurdles, panel members said it would be possible to develop Cleveland Circle further if neighborhood leaders, municipal officials and the MBTA were willing to sit down at the same table. Members suggested Boston and Brookline launch a joint master-planning process, and develop a way for developers to get approval for multiple parcels in different jurisdictions more easily.
Kara Brewton, Brookline’s economic development director, said she has already begun talking with Boston officials about jointly seeking state grants to pay for further study of Cleveland Circle’s traffic problems.
“Those discussions, on a staff level, were very fruitful,” she said. “What I hope to get out of this presentation is a megaphone to those who have more power — political power — to get a relationship between the two municipalities actually started.
“Even if the process were to end after one meeting of the two municipalities getting together, it would be a remarkable achievement,” she added.
Jennifer Doyle
Nov 6, 2009, 8:58:33 AM11/6/09
to allstonbr...@googlegroups.com
Hi everyone,
With the recent election, there's been a lot of talk about
'improvement' of the public schools. Although I believe there is room
for improvement just about everywhere you look, one of the reasons
we've stayed in Brighton as our family has grown is due to the
wonderful experience at what I personally consider to be one of the
jewels of the system: Brighton's very own Winship Elementary School,
located in Brighton Center.
We have loved this school since my daughter entered K2 several years
ago, and my son is now a first grader there. And we're proud to say it
was recently one of only two elementary schools in the Boston Public
School system to earn the rigorous NAEYC accreditation for its early
learning programs.
**This Saturday night - November 7 - there is a silent auction and
fundraiser at Big City restaurant (138 Brighton Ave., Allston),
beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the door. If you're in the
area, please consider stopping by.**
As one of the co-chairs of the Parent Council this year, I'm hoping
that all of our Allston/Brighton neighbors will become more familiar
with the Winship, as well as with our other local schools. As we
proceed through the school year, I'll continue to let you all know
about other events that are happening. Although we aren't in a city
with neighborhood schools, we've been blessed with some wonderful
schools in our neighborhood. I look forward to welcoming you into that
community.
Best,
Jennifer Doyle
Mom of Lucy and Will
With the recent election, there's been a lot of talk about
'improvement' of the public schools. Although I believe there is room
for improvement just about everywhere you look, one of the reasons
we've stayed in Brighton as our family has grown is due to the
wonderful experience at what I personally consider to be one of the
jewels of the system: Brighton's very own Winship Elementary School,
located in Brighton Center.
We have loved this school since my daughter entered K2 several years
ago, and my son is now a first grader there. And we're proud to say it
was recently one of only two elementary schools in the Boston Public
School system to earn the rigorous NAEYC accreditation for its early
learning programs.
**This Saturday night - November 7 - there is a silent auction and
fundraiser at Big City restaurant (138 Brighton Ave., Allston),
beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the door. If you're in the
area, please consider stopping by.**
As one of the co-chairs of the Parent Council this year, I'm hoping
that all of our Allston/Brighton neighbors will become more familiar
with the Winship, as well as with our other local schools. As we
proceed through the school year, I'll continue to let you all know
about other events that are happening. Although we aren't in a city
with neighborhood schools, we've been blessed with some wonderful
schools in our neighborhood. I look forward to welcoming you into that
community.
Best,
Jennifer Doyle
Mom of Lucy and Will
Jennifer Doyle
Nov 6, 2009, 1:03:54 PM11/6/09
to allstonbr...@googlegroups.com
Hi everyone,
First - thanks for the nice messages several of you have sent me individually! I will respond in kind as soon as I have a chance, but I just wanted to say how nice it is to hear from you!
Second - I did realize that one of my statements may have come off not quite as I intended. (Alas. This is not the first time.) When I said "I believe there is room for improvement just about everywhere you look" I actually meant *everywhere* everywhere -- i.e. Newton public schools, Brookline public schools, Watertown public schools -- rather than it is needed 'everywhere you look' in the Boston public school system. Hopefully the rest of my message made clear my intention, but just in case it didn't, I wanted to be sure to clarify.
Third - Don't forget, Big City, Allston, 6 p.m. tomorrow night for the Winship Silent Auction & Fundraiser
Back to my lurkdom...
:) Jen
Ignatius
Nov 6, 2009, 4:13:22 PM11/6/09
to allstonbr...@googlegroups.com
Jennifer,
My Alma Mater!
Not sure if I can make it by Saturday but keep me on your contact list.
Hope all is well,
Joe Mulligan
PS - I did not read too much into your "improvement" comment. Our focus should always be on improvements.
My Alma Mater!
Not sure if I can make it by Saturday but keep me on your contact list.
Hope all is well,
Joe Mulligan
PS - I did not read too much into your "improvement" comment. Our focus should always be on improvements.
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