Columbia Point
Columbia Point
art vows to scrutinize UMass on dormitories; Affordable housing 'left out' of Columbia Point planning
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As presentations from developers and city planners wind down and the floor opens up for discussion, differing opinions continue to heat up the cauldron of the Columbia Point Master Plan Task Force. The task force will help the Boston Redevelopment Authority create comprehensive development guidelines for the point, where a handful of large projects are imminent. Read more
Rifts begin to show in Columbia Point planning
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Last Thursday's public planning meeting for Columbia Point brought forth a plethora of details, a smidgeon of creative vision, and a hint of old grudges slowly rising out of the old calf pasture. Read more
Task force gets closer look at Columbia Point plans
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The Columbia Point Master Planning Task Force saw the reasons they were pulled together last Thursday as a trio of would-be developers brought forth their big plans, or lack of them, for Dorchester's big toe sticking out into the bay, Columbia Point. Read more
Odor control facility raises new questions on Columbia Point
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A 2.1-mile sewer overflow tunnel being built under William J. Day Boulevard may be hitting a speed bump, as a key Columbia Point landowner is raising a stink over a planned odor control facility nearby.
The Corcoran Jennison Companies, owner of the Bayside Exposition Center, is planning on hitting local neighborhood civic associations with its concerns on the single-story brick structure, known as an odor control facility, set to be built behind the State Police barracks. Read more
UMass defends dorms at Columbia-Savin Hill
Jan. 9, 2008
In sharp exchanges with some local neighborhood activists, UMass Boston officials defended their plans to build dorms to house some 1,000 on-campus beds in the next ten years as part of the school's overhaul.
"We are a commuter school. We are going to continue to be a commuter school," Ellen O'Connor, the campus's vice chancellor for administration and finance, said to roughly 40 people assembled at Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association's Monday night meeting at the Little House. Read more
Columbia Point Master Plan Task Force chosen
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Mayor Thomas Menino has appointed fifteen individuals, including residents of Columbia Point and adjacent neighborhoods, business people and one transportation advocate, to a Columbia Point Master Plan Task Force. The Boston Redevelopment Authority originally intended to choose the task force by last fall, but took longer than expected.
"There was no specific delay, it was just when we were able to get it down to the mayor and have him look at it," said BRA spokesperson Jessica Shumaker. Read more
UMass trustees debate campus re-design, dorms
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Two new academic buildings, including a gleaming, state-of-the-art science facility (minus dangerous infectious diseases). Two new parking garages to replace the crumbling substructure holding up the plaza and campus. A glass façade and new entrance to the Healey Library.
And, of course, dorms.
UMass-Boston's final conceptual plan, presented to UMass trustees on the last day of fall semester classes earlier this month, calls for 1,000 beds in the first phase, while reaching at least 2,000 beds by the end of the 25-year plan. Read more
Columbia-Savin Hill tables vote on UMass dorms
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Taking a measured tone, the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association, which voted to oppose dorms at UMass-Boston over four years ago, is planning to meet with UMass officials as the university community considers reconfiguring its campus.
Members of the neighborhood association this week took a pass on taking a vote reaffirming the association's opposition to the prospect of dorms, which are included in each of the three conceptual plans Read more
Menino 'open' to UMass dorms
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Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, whose criticism all but finished UMass-Boston's first campaign to build dorms on Columbia Point four years ago, is now saying he's open to the prospect.
"It's not a non-starter for me," he said this week at a separate Boston Redevelopment Authority event.
With students departing for on-campus housing, affordable housing in the neighborhoods would be freed up, he said. Read more
