Columbia Point
Columbia Point
Editorial: A welcome wave of development
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If there are any lingering doubts that the local economy is poised for a strong bounce-back in the next few years, a quick review of the Reporter’s front pages over the last month is instructive. In particular, there is ample evidence that the Morrissey Boulevard corridor that links Savin Hill and Columbia Point is ready to blossom, with new buildings and renewal projects aimed at reinvigorating this well-situated northern nook of Dorchester. Read more
Synergy chief: 278-unit complex a 'vote of confidence' in Dot
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An aerial view of the proposed project at 25 Morrissey Boulevard. Image courtesy Synergy
A Boston developer will file plans with city officials this week to build a five-story, $60 million residential complex on a long-vacant parcel of land next to the JFK-UMass MBTA station on Morrissey Boulevard. The two- building complex would house 278 units of rental housing intended for a mixed market of young professionals, families, and older residents.
The “Residences at Morrissey Boulevard” project would mark the first phase in what the developers expect will be a 20-year redevelopment effort along this section of the boulevard that will be guided in large part by a city-led master planning process that envisioned a new neighborhood along what is now largely commercial stretch. Read more
Chambers looking to buy Ch. 56 site for a BMW outlet
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Car magnate Herb Chambers intends to purchase the old Ch. 56 property on Morrissey Boulevard and convert it into a pre-owned BMW dealership and repair center.
Chambers, a Dorchester native whose automotive empire now includes 50 dealerships and franchises throughout New England, says he is in the process of buying the property at 75 Morrissey Blvd. from WHDH-TV, which now controls the site. The property is valued at $4.5 million by the city of Boston, but the prospective purchase price has not been disclosed.
Chambers told the Reporter this week that he intends to sell certified, pre-owned BMW cars on the site. The business will also service vehicles that Chambers sells in Dorchester and at his existing BMW dealership on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston. Read more
Elected officials huddle up at troubled Morrissey intersection
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Sen. Jack Hart, left, and Rep. Marty Walsh are shown during a site visit to the intersection of Morrissey and Bianculli boulevards on Thursday. Photo courtesy Sen. Hart's office
Mounting concerns about pedestrian safety on Morrissey Boulevard prompted a roadside huddle this afternoon featuring elected officials, State Police and state transportation officials, who promised to "immediately make improvements" at the intersection of Morrissey and Bianculli Boulevard.
Senator Jack Hart, Rep. Marty Walsh and City Councillor Frank Baker met on site today with senior officials from the Dept. of Conservation and Recreation, UMass Boston officials and State Police.
Reporter editorial: Long view, fast action needed to fix Morrissey Read more
Editorial: Long view, fast action needed to fix Morrissey
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State Rep. Martin Walsh says he’ll convene a meeting of Columbia Point and Savin Hill stakeholders and transportation officials soon to “begin the process” of redesigning a troubled intersection that also serves as the entrance to UMass Boston’s campus and the Columbia Point peninsula.
That’s welcome news for both pedestrians and motorists, for whom this intersection has become more than an aggravation. It’s a public hazard. Read more
Hubway kiosks installed at UMass campus, JFK-UMass station
Sep. 10, 2012
Crews installed a Hubway bike-sharing kiosk across from the Campus Center on the UMass Boston campus on Friday, Sept. 7. The 19-dock solar-powered station is part of an expansion of the popular Hubway system: Another kiosk was also installed last week at JFK-UMass station.
“We are very excited to bring the Hubway program to campus,” said Diane D’Arrigo, assistant vice chancellor for campus services at UMass Boston. “As part of our transportation demand management efforts on campus, we are always looking at new ways to offer more convenient, alternative commuting options to the UMass Boston community and our neighbors.”
Photo by Harry Brett Read more
In the crosshairs: Morrissey crossing's perils showcased in video
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A Savin Hill woman — fed up with the lack of a fix to a dangerous pedestrian crossing on Morrissey Boulevard— has produced a short video that illustrates the hazards at the intersection. The video, made by Heidi Moesinger, was circulated to State Police and elected officials last Friday and shows motorists blowing through a red light as a pedestrian attempts to cross the boulevard on a walk signal. Residents say that the failure to better police the intersection or find an engineering fix — as highlighted by the Reporter in recent articles— is a tragedy in the making. Read more
New building, streetscape eyed for Mt. Vernon St.
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Mt. Vernon concept: A non-profit aligned with Corcoran Jennison envisons narrowing a wide Mt. Vernon St. and installing a “cycle track” for bicyclists.
Executives at Corcoran Jennison Companies are planning the construction of a six-story apartment building at the intersection of Mt. Vernon St. and Morrissey Boulevard. A nonprofit funded by developer is also in the conceptual stages of potentially remaking Mt. Vernon St. through the expansion of sidewalks and creation of space for bicycles. Read more
$113m arts/science center next for UMass Boston
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Latest UMass Boston building plan: Will house performing arts and science classes. UMass Boston imageUMass Boston officials are aiming to break ground on their next academic building this winter and hope to have the $113 million structure open by summer 2015. The building will include chemistry teaching labs and house studios for the arts department and performing arts, which are currently scattered across the Columbia Point campus.
The 181,000-square foot facility will be located next to the Campus Center, a site currently being used for parking. It will include studios for producing sculptures, photography, painting and video; dance and acting students, a 150-seat recital hall and a theater that could hold up to 200 people. Read more
