Reclaim South Bay

[stick n move]

The #1 thing I would like to see is boston take back a part of the south bay that was once there and was filled in. It will never be as big as it was but the part i edited in this pic is just train tracks and fill. If we extended fort point further in it would be even more accessable than the charles is and there could be lots of docks and restaurants and it would give boston a more defined boundary from south boston. I feel like this part of the city is too tangled up and hard to navigate and this would make mass ave, berkley steet etc, go directly to the water front where a road could wind along following the waterfront and go up past where the ups is now. I know its never gonna happen but in a perfect world it would be pretty sick.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b233/deryn/boss.png

[MBTAddict]

I have no idea about the technical feasibility of something like this, but I love the idea. The Tea Party Museum has me looking at Fort Point in a whole new way. I'd love to see more things happening both in the channel and along the edges. Boston was a ton of waterfront, but I feel like a lot of it doesn't get used to its potential. This would be a great way to create some more waterfront that could be used for the types of things you mention - restaurants, cultural attractions, etc.

[Ron Newman]

Keep in mind that the Congress Street, Summer Street, and (I think) Dorchester Ave bridges are no longer operable, which limits the kinds of navigation that can happen here.

[AmericanFolkLegend]

This is a nice idea but I don't think removing land from a land constrained city is the best move. You can say it's "just train tracks", but rail yards need to exist somewhere. In the future, you can develop rail yards. Once you turn something into a body of water, you're not getting it back. Ever.

[stick n move]

i kno its more of a what if they hadnt filled it all in type of deal

[whighlander]

This is a nice idea but I don't think removing land from a land constrained city is the best move. You can say it's "just train tracks", but rail yards need to exist somewhere. In the future, you can develop rail yards. Once you turn something into a body of water, you're not getting it back. Ever.

AMF-- HUH? -- where do you think all the land the train track are located upon came from -- they was water or mud

The only constraint is obnoxious bureauKrapy regulations -- otherwise just like when you were a little kid -- water + dirt = mud and mud - water = dirt

[vanshnookenraggen]

I changed the name to be more appropriate to what you are proposing.

Interestingly there is historic precedent for this. The South Bay was actually expanded at one time and the dug out fill going to fill in other parts of downtown (I don't remember which parts exactly, Bulfinch Triangle?). Eventually that part of the bay was refilled in.

The main problem with this proposal is the land that's there has to be pretty nasty as it's been used for industrial and transportation for a hundred years. Also the bay was filled in because the Roxbury creek was so heavily polluted. You'd have to address these environmental concerns before anything.

[czsz]

I was hoping this thread would have to do with the South Bay strip mall extravaganza. I'd love to see that reclaimed in any way possible, including water.

[stick n move]

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b233/deryn/Screenshot2012-06-06at44310PM.png

[BostonUrbEx]

Seems like a waste if it's going to be flanked by a massive highway.

[Shepard]

Will South Bay Strip Mall ever be redeveloped?

[omaja]

Wouldn't that become some of the most valuable undeveloped land in the area if the rail yard was relocated? Can't imagine the city eliminating a potentially lucrative tax-generating land area like that.

[datadyne007]

Lol, Viva la Shawmut Peninsula!

[Charlie_mta]

The South Bay re-establishment idea made me think of Millers River, which used to exist between Cambridge, Somerville and Charlestown. The Millers River used to serve flood control and navigation functions. Re-establishment of Millers River as shown here could help spur high density redevelopment of the area, augmented by the proposed downsizing of McGrath Highway. Better flood control in the area would also be a bonus from such a project.

http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr354/Charliemta/millersriver.jpg

[BussesAin'tTrains]

Northpoint development and the MBTA would LOVE that

[Justin7]

At one point there was some discussion around here about turning the Seaport (or whatever we call it now) into a "canal district." This would be along the same lines. I think both would be pretty great, but obviously neither will ever happen.

[whighlander]

The South Bay re-establishment idea made me think of Millers River, which used to exist between Cambridge, Somerville and Charlestown. The Millers River used to serve flood control and navigation functions. Re-establishment of Millers River as shown here could help spur high density redevelopment of the area, augmented by the proposed downsizing of McGrath Highway. Better flood control in the area would also be a bonus from such a project.

http://i499.photobucket.com/albums/rr354/Charliemta/millersriver.jpg

http://www.winchestermass.org/images/canal3.gif

Ahah -- I knew it -- this is a stealth attempt by the "pre-rail" cabal to regenerate the Middlesex Cannal as the prime means of traveling from NH and Lowell to Boston so that they can board sailing sloops bound for the docks of London

http://www.winchestermass.org/images/canalloc.gif

Personally I favor the return of the Horse Cars between Haaaaaaahvd2 and Boston -- a lot more pleasant than decending into the earth to be transported by that new-fangled electric traction

[vanshnookenraggen]

That is my favorite post of yours.

[whighlander]

That is my favorite post of yours.

Note in Oxford they are still a viable means of recreational travel -- so why not

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[AmericanFolkLegend]

AMF-- HUH? -- where do you think all the land the train track are located upon came from -- they was water or mud

The only constraint is obnoxious bureauKrapy regulations -- otherwise just like when you were a little kid -- water + dirt = mud and mud - water = dirt

When was the last time you heard of a major body of water being filled in in Greater Boston?

[Commuting Boston Student]

Only okay with this if it means you could commute from Boston to the Cape via 20-foot powerboat.

[whighlander]

When was the last time you heard of a major body of water being filled in in Greater Boston?

Bird Island Flats -- aka Boston Harbor -- aka Logan Office Center, etc. -- not that long ago by Boston standards -- but quite probably the last unless you count the infilling of Spectacle Island

[whighlander]

Only okay with this if it means you could commute from Boston to the Cape via 20-foot powerboat.

Commute -- we ned to dig a canal to allow canal boats -- I'm thinking right next to Rt-3 -- the real question is do we cary the Commuter Canal over the Cape Cod Canal in an aqueduct or cary it under the Cape Cod Canal in a tunnel -- or perhaps just stop

[NJBostonFan]

At one point there was some discussion around here about turning the Seaport (or whatever we call it now) into a "canal district." This would be along the same lines. I think both would be pretty great, but obviously neither will ever happen.

We should talk about that again. I see the Seaport (Or Innovation District) being transformed into something like Canary Wharf in London and the Melbourne Docklands. Hell, I plan on calling the district the Boston Docklands.

[JohnAKeith]

Not "South Boston Flats (http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMANP_South_Boston_Flats)"?