by David Dahlbacka in Accessibility, All Ages, Assembly Square, Beat Reporter, Bicycles, Development and Zoning, Environment and Open Space, Events, Housing, Neighborhoods and Squares, Orange Line, Pedestrians, Transportation, Transportation Projects
Posted on September 12, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Last Modified on September 12, 2010 at 6:08 pm
| September 13, 2010 | ||
| 6:00 pm | to | 8:00 pm |
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Public Hearing on Assembly Square Chapter 91 License
Mon. Sep. 13 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Community Room
Visiting Nurses Association
259 Lowell St.
Somerville MA (map)
This is the public hearing for the Assembly Square Chapter 91 tideways license, which deals with the 12.5 acres of filled tidelands adjoining the Mystic River. The Assembly Square project includes restaurants, retail, residential, office, and research development facilites. Written comments are due October 4, 2010 and should be submitted to:
Alex Strysky
MassDEP-Waterways Regulation Program
One Winter St., 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
Public input is needed on accessibility, waterfront and water activities design, and pedestrian and bicycle access along Foley Street.
For background and more information, see:
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The following is my written testimony on the Chapter 91 license for the Assembly Square on the Mystic project.
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October 3, 2010
Alex Strysky
MassDEP-Waterways Regulation Program
One Winter St., 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02108
alexander.strysky@state.ma.us
RE: Chapter 91 Application for the Assembly on the Mystic project (EOEA #13989)
Dear Mr. Strysky:
This note is to express my general support for the Chapter 91 Application for the Assembly on the Mystic project, along with some suggested improvements in keeping with section 9.53(3) of the statute. I am particularly concerned that the project enhance public access to the Mystic River filled tidelands via foot and bicycle from East Somerville and via mass transportation from the entire region.
Regional Access via Assembly Orange Line T-Stop
A new transportation link, the Assembly Square Orange Line T-Stop, is being provided by the MBTA. The Orange line crosses filled Commonwealth tidelands and will provide public access by MBTA riders to filled Commonwealth tidelands both inside and outside the project area. The station adjoins Draw 7 Park and is located in part on filled private tidelands immediately adjacent to or crossing the project area. Plans for this access should be dealt with in the application.
Regional Access via MBTA Bus and Urban Ring
The existing bus service to Assembly Square and the proposed Urban Ring bus rapid transit node at Assembly Square provide public access to filled Commonwealth tidelands. The existing bus stop is located very close to filled private tidelands at the Assembly Square Marketplace, which adjoins the project area. A new bus stop will probably be placed on or near filled private tidelands within the project area. Plans for this access should be dealt with in the application.
East Somerville Access under I-93 at Kensington Avenue
Pedestrian and bicycle access from East Somerville to filled private and Commonwealth tidelands is currently provided by a poorly-maintained pedestrian way starting at the Stop & Shop, passing under I-93 to Kensington Avenue and along Kensington to Middlesex. From Middlesex, filled private and Commonwealth tidelands can be accessed via Foley Street and the entire street grid in the project area, which includes Assembly Square Drive, C Street, D Street, E Street, F Street, G Street, and IKEA Way. Plans for these accesses should be dealt with in the application.
East Somerville Access via Foley Street Extension
Pedestrian and bicycle access to filled private and Commonwealth tidelands will also be provided by the proposed Foley Street extension, which will pass under I-93 near the current pedestrian way and which will connect to the tidelands via Middlesex Avenue and the rest of the project street grid. Note in particular that the current plans for this extension do not include bicycle lanes. Plans for this proposed access should be dealt with in the application.
East Somerville Access via Lombardi Street
Pedestrian and bicycle access to filled private and Commonwealth tidelands will also be provided by planned improvements to Lombardi Street, which connects to the tidelands via Assembly Square Drive and the rest of the project street grid. Plans for this access should be dealt with in the application.
East Somerville Access under I-93 at Route 28
Pedestrian and bicycle access from East Somerville under I-93 to filled private and Commonwealth tidelands is currently provided by an awkward crossing at Route 28. This crossing connects to the tidelands via the parking lot of the LaQuinta Inn and Suites, Cummings Street, Middlesex Avenue and from there to the rest of the project street grid. Plans for this access should be dealt with in the application.
Ten Hills Access via Route 28 Underpass
The planned Route 28 underpass from Ten Hills is on filled Commonwealth tidelands and will provide pedestrian and bicycle access to filled private and Commonwealth tidelands. Plans for this proposed access should be dealt with in the application.
Public Design and Review Process
The application mentions a proposed public process for designing and reviewing the proposed improvements to the Mystic River Reservation. This public process should be fleshed out in the application and should include the pedestrian and bicycle access plans.
Public access to the Mystic River tidelands is fundamental to Chapter 91. Please ensure that this application deals fully with these issues. Thank you.
Sincerely,
David Dahlbacka
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