Reconnecting Chinatown
We are planning a better, safer, greener, and more attractive connection between the two sides of the open-cut Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) in Chinatown.
The objective is to design to transform this area that sees excessive concrete into an integrated part of the urban fabric of Boston, as well as an area that provides much-needed open, green, and community spaces, connections, and other quality of life improvements to Chinatown and surrounding neighborhoods.
We posted the Request for Proposals (RFP) on December 11, 2023, and received proposals from ten (10) teams (listed below). After thorough deliberations, we have awarded the contract to the team led by Stoss, Inc.
Ten (10) proposals were submitted on January 15, 2024. The bidding teams were as follows:
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Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc.
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Perkins & Will Inc.
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SASAKI Associates Inc.
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Stantec Consulting Services Inc.
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The Office of James Burnett Inc. (OJB)
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HDR Engineering Inc.
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Weston and Sampson Engineers Inc.
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Stoss Inc.
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Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF)
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Olin Partnership Limited (OLIN)
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Questions? Contact:
Transportation | NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING TEAM
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The City of Boston applied to and was awarded $1.8 million from the Reconnecting Communities grant administered by the Federal Department of Transportation (DOT), and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). There are several components to this project:
- Concept design of Parcel 21 (between Washington Street and Shawmut Avenue)
- Nearer-term improvements to the public realm and safety
- Design guidelines for Parcels 19 (between Arlington Street and Tremont Street), Parcel 20 (between Tremont Street and Shawmut Avenue), and Parcel 22 (Between Washington Street and Harrison Avenue)
- Decking feasibility assessment
We have started examining existing conditions of the Reconnecting Chinatown site. We are continuing to work with the community on this exciting project. Please stay tuned!
PROJECT SCOPE
The Reconnecting Chinatown project has four (4) major components:
- Reach concept design stage for parcel 21 (bound by Marginal Rd, Washington Street, Herald Street, and Shawmut Avenue).
- Explore nearer-term transportation and public realm improvements in the vicinity of parcels 19, 20, 21, and 22.
- Establish design guidelines for parcel 19 (bound by Marginal Rd, Tremont Street, and Arlington Street), parcel 20 (bound by Marginal Rd, Tremont Street, Herald Street, and Shawmut Avenue), and parcel 22 (bound by Marginal Rd, Washington Street, Herald Street, and Harrison Ave).
- Examine the engineering and financial feasibility of decking over parcels 19, 20, 21, and 22.
All of these tasks will be completed through working with the community according to our engagement principles:
- Be attentive to the needs of the community
- Seek to reach as many people and hear as many voices as possible
- Honor our neighborhood's history and its ambition for the future
- Putting Chinatown's culture front and center
- Directly engage with our community
- Run an equitable, inclusive, and transparent engagement process
WHO WE MET
Community Open House, 3/1/25
Project Goals and Principles
PROJECT GOALS:
- A community vision through community engagement and consensus building
- Green infrastructure, mitigate urban heat island effect, and improve climate resiliency
- Address air and noise pollution concerns and promote health
- Improve mobility and safety
- Connect the existing urban fabric
- Feasibility assessment
- Place-making and attractive spaces
DESIGN PRINCIPLES
- Design collaboratively
- Improve conditions for older adults, students, and persons with disability
- Address community needs through design and value capture
- Promote design that improves environmental resiliency and advances health
- Promote arts and culture and a sense of place and community
- Prioritize green and open spaces and green infrastructure
- Integrate spaces into the existing urban fabric
- Improve and create an attractive public realm
- Improve mobility and safety for surrounding area and encourage modal shift to sustainable travel options
- Address parking and traffic flow concerns
- Design with the utmost respect for history and community and with a focus on the future
WHAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM YOU
Chinatown footprints
Our initial phase of engagement focused on community members' experiences of the exiting urban fabric. This data shows the aggregated patterns of how participants move around Chinatown, particularly at the Mass Pike crossings. From the feedback we have received, the community would like to see:
- Restitching the existing street network and urban fabric, focusing on north-south connection.
- Focus on bike connectivity, pedestrian safety, and traffic calming, especially at intersections/crossings.
- Expanded street tree canopy and green spaces, especially near the schools.
- Access to indoor and outdoor gathering spaces: play for all ages, sport fields & courts, cultural spaces, groceries, businesses, and healthcare.
Street Character
community priorities
Focus groups
Over several focus group sessions engaging over a hundred participants in total, groups of ~4-6 community members collaborated to consider programmatic possibilities for the four parcels. Each mini model 'board game' incorporated movable scale pieces of design elements to place on the street map. Participants were able to talk to each other and ask questions in a comfortable small-group setting and experiment with placing the spaces they want reflected in this project. Participants were encouraged to record any ideas that didn't have a designated corresponding tactile element on sticky notes.
Focus Group results
Program Summary
Open Space Priorities
What we are looking at
On top of looking at the Reconnecting Chinatown parcels, we are looking at sidewalks, lighting, bus stops, bike lanes, street trees, public spaces, green infrastructure (stormwater management, for example), and more. We want to make sure you feel safe in this area no matter how you choose to get around.
Ultimately, we want to improve safety, comfort, and environmental resilience in this area, as well as making improvements to the public realm, incorporate the air rights parcels into the existing urban fabric, and supporting the preservation and the growth of the Chinatown community.
Past Engagement Events
Who we are coordinating with
There is a lot going on in Chinatown
Our project team is coordinating with other City staff to collaboratively address community concerns. Our goal is to coordinate projects and not to overload you with meetings. For Reconnecting Chinatown, we have lots of interagency partners. Here are some relevant, related projects.
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Questions? Contact:
Transportation | NEIGHBORHOOD PLANNING TEAM
