Public space is about people feeling welcome to use it. CLFs Pitch A Blanket event was a reminder that meaningful public access to the water – not just token spaces – are essential for the city to come to life.
October 15, 2018: In September, National Grid appealed MassDEP’s written determination requiring them to build a public pathway on their land. CLF – in partnership with Mystic River Watershed Association and Friends of the Malden River – filed a motion to participate in the proceeding. We support MassDEP’s decision and want to ensure that our members… Continue reading More Good News for Public Access in Everett
There is currently legislation in front of the Massachusetts House of Representatives that not only threatens public access to Boston’s Waterfront but could set a dangerous precedent for waterfronts across the Commonwealth. If the bill (H.4505) were to pass, the Commercial Wharf East Condominium Association would be allowed to skirt their Chapter 91 obligations to… Continue reading Massachusetts Bill Threatens Waterfront Public Access
Barely a month ago, a historic storm blasted coastal New England – a “bomb cyclone” that brought blizzard conditions, heavy snow, and massive flooding to Boston’s Seaport neighborhood and other waterfront communities like Chelsea and Salem. As the storm raged, Twitter and Facebook feeds filled with a barrage of images showing icy waters flowing down… Continue reading Building for the Climate of the Future
Boston’s newest neighborhood, the Seaport District, has drawn recent criticism for its high-priced housing and amenities, exclusivity, and lack of diversity. What started out as an incredibly rare chance for Boston to redevelop nearly 1,000 acres of city land is now largely considered a major missed opportunity. Given the billions of dollars of public investment… Continue reading Let’s Learn from the Seaport’s Mistakes, Not Repeat Them
We need more, better, and equitable housing choices, more vibrant, walkable downtowns, and healthy communities that protect us from climate change. We need development rules for a new generation. The Great Neighborhoods bill is a major step in the right direction.
Massachusetts is once again leading the way on climate by requiring its largest electric company, Eversource, to make sure its substations, poles, wires, and operations are ready for the worst that our changing climate might bring.
As the Houston area begins its long recovery from the devastating floods triggered by Hurricane Harvey – and with Hurricane Irma now barreling toward Florida’s coast – we wanted to know how Boston would fare in the face of such high waters and heavy rains. So we turned to CLF’s Director of Environmental Planning, Deanna Moran,… Continue reading Is Boston Ready for a Hurricane Harvey?
This week, the City of Boston proclaimed its dedication to working with developers to create public spaces in the midst of its new construction boom – and ensuring that those spaces are kept public and welcoming. The next day, the Intercontinental Hotel at 500 Atlantic Avenue received a notice from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental… Continue reading Boston: When Public Spaces Aren’t Really Public
Tackling the root causes of climate change by cleaning up our energy supply and making our homes, businesses, and cars cleaner and greener is critical in averting the worst impacts our changing climate will bring. But it’s not enough. We need to brace for the climate impacts already in motion by making our communities across… Continue reading Proposed Legislation Would Help Massachusetts Communities Prepare for Climate Change Impacts
