Jim's profile - coUrbanize

Followed The Overlook at Saint Gabriel's ^{5 years, 4 months ago}

Commented on The Overlook at Saint Gabriel's ^{6 years, 4 months ago}

Apologies, I did not notice the developer's earlier reply about including condo units in the development. Thank you for addressing that!

Commented on The Overlook at Saint Gabriel's ^{6 years, 4 months ago}

As a neighbor on and condo-owner on Washington St., I respectfully ask that you please consider including some condos as part of this development. Brighton is full of all-apartment developments, and it would substantially benefit the community if there were more opportunities for people to put down ownership roots in this area. Brighton is transient-heavy (due to all of the college and grad student renters); we welcome these renters in our community, but I ask that you consider just adding a few condos into the mix (even just a few would help).

Regarding transportation/parking, I have a slightly different opinion than others. Clearly transit matters, but I think including more parking encourages residents to drive more which could increase traffic. I suggest a balanced approach. Please consider investment or partnering w/ local transit authorities to improve public transit in the area. For example, reducing ride times on the Green line B-branch and increasing trolly frequency/capacity would go a long way, as would improving bus routes and bus frequency. Such investments could make the commuting experience much better for the future residents of this development. Clearly it can't all fall on one developer, but developers can be a part of the solution & associated advocacy to the MBTA, etc.

Supported a comment by Troy Tepuke on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{6 years, 11 months ago}

Troy Tepuke
Greater pedestrian priority for people getting onto the Greenway. JFK Rd and Cross St are busy and somewhat out of character next to such a nice park. Long waits at the lights to cross and people risk running across after a while.

Commented on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{6 years, 11 months ago}

I would like to add a suggestion that takes in considerations from both this comment and another about "smart density." The nearby west end is one of the very few places in the city where the FAA would permit construction of a very tall skyscraper (due to its more benign orientation to Logan's runways). As part of connecting the blue line to the redline (a very expensive proposition), let's route the blue line through the west end then to the red line. We could create a "west end" stop right at the base of a new skyscraper. Then we could create/offer a private/public partnership package where the developer of the skyscraper chips in to off-set the cost of the blue line extension.

Supported a comment by Troy Tepuke on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{6 years, 11 months ago}

Troy Tepuke
Absolutely. Review zoning and remove barriers to more housing e.g. Remove minimum parking requirements, allow higher buildings, remove expensive mitigation requirements. Make Boston a city for everyone not just people who can afford a million dollar single family home or luxury apartment

Supported a comment by Alex S. on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{6 years, 11 months ago}

Alex S.
Push closing times back to 4 A.M. in select areas, like the Late Night Task Force suggests! Boston is increasingly becoming an international destination, and it's one of the youngest cities in the country. Embrace that energy! Let us see a show and go get a drink, instead of having to choose. Many of us don't work longer than 9-5 (tech, medical, industry, etc.) and therefore can't reasonable enjoy the city's nightlife for more than an hour or two. Let us enjoy our city!

Supported a comment by Deborah Cooper on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{6 years, 11 months ago}

Deborah Cooper
Make the public transit system world class for 24 hr service to support Boston in becoming a 24 hr city. The countdown clocks were a good start.

Commented on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{6 years, 11 months ago}

I strongly support this, and would add that Boston needs a comprehensive zoning overhaul to ensure there are areas of the city, where appropriately supported by infrastructure, that are zoned for denser/taller development. Many of the zoning codes are old and represent the select interest of small, privileged communities, rather than the city as a whole. There's something wrong when hard-working college graduates making $80k/yr are living 3-4 to an apartment in Allston/Brighton because they can't afford to live on their own. Reality is that density is a lot higher than officially recorded in certain poorer areas of the city, yet "single family"-style zoning codes persist in transit-oriented areas of the city that would be perfect for the up-and-coming working class. No one expects cheap housing downtown, but as a city we should expect to be moving in the direction of better/fairer zoning. Let's involve architects and urban planners who can help us avoid tarnishing our architectural heritage and parks, while also being smart about the future.

Supported a comment by Robert Puopolo on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{6 years, 11 months ago}

Robert Puopolo
Allow more dense housing. Almost every housing proposal is met with claims of it being too tall, too dense, etc. As an accommodation to neighborhoods, housing is cut back. Thousands of people can live in those housing units that are never built. Real people need real housing.

Commented on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Let's create a shared practice space environment for musicians. I've known many bostonians who've had to give up their hobby of playing an instrument or playing in a band because practicing in an apartment complex or dense neighborhood is impossible. Becoming an adult often equals abandoning a passion for music for many. Let's create a space where musicians can come from all over the city and reserve practice spaces. This may even encourage formation of bands among individuals who wouldn't otherwise have crossed paths.

Commented on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Host high-energy, unique events like IndyCar Boston in this city. I dislike car-racing, dislike noise and construction, but sense that this city hemorrhages excitement and energy, particularly from our fleeing young professionals population. I have no intention of attending IndyCar, but I am a Boston resident and would welcome it in my backyard. When one chooses to live in a city, one knowingly chooses to join a densely populated, diverse collective. City government's job is "to do right by the many", not to protect real estate investments or privileged lives of a select few.

Supported a comment by Niko Kotsatos on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Niko Kotsatos
I support combining Green Line stations and adding a protected Bike Lane on Comm Ave near BU. I suggest that the GL stations collect fares upon entry, to save time on boarding.

Commented on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

I am not in the real estate business, I am not "pro-development," and I empathize with your views about the way things should work. But I love this city, I live and work here, and the things you suggest we should count on are unfortunately broken. The zoning and planning are not able to keep up with today's Boston. Unfortunately, it is becoming the norm for many major projects to be built with exemptions. I believe the city employs people who are trying to do the right thing, but the zoning has not kept up with reality. Reality is: 3-to-4 twentysomethings crammed into individual apartments in Allston/Brighton - these are college grads who have been given jobs here. Does the zoning account for the actual density? Not even close. Do we need a better system so that zoning can work and we're not building-by-exemption, absolutely.
But the truth is: we have a housing shortage. We could build 30 towers the size of the proposed Trinity and barely make a dent in the shortage. Trinity's affordable units need to be built and the developer needs to be held accountable, but the units don't need to be in the same building - they need to be in diverse, great communities, just not necessarily a tall tower.

Supported a comment by Charles Denison IV on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Charles Denison IV
We need to incentivize developers to build over the Mass Pike. We certainly need more housing!

Commented on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

You raise excellent concerns, but I think oversimplifying the issue hinders true progress. Yes, it is absolutely wrong to blatantly manipulate the system and to facilitate divisiveness among housing class. At the same time, I can't afford to live here, but even if I could, this would not be my choice for an affordable place to raise my family. Affordable housing AND class integration are vitally important for this city, but I disagree that they need to be in the same building. More specifically, affordable housing needs to be in good locations (integrated, access to schools, parks, transit - but not necessarily a 30-story tower in a financial area). We have a tragic overall housing shortage, and the only way to get developers to stop building only high-end housing is for them to build like crazy until the demand is met. So, let's build high-end housing and affordable housing in parallel, and be sure not to segregate the affordable housing, but let's not mandate they be in the exact same building - these debates only slow down development, which exacerbates our housing shortage problem.

Supported a comment by Haley Steggall on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Haley Steggall
Make Newbury a pedestrian street. It does not function well as a street with cars because of the double parking and narrow road. If it was a pedestrian street there would be room for larger patios for the restaurants and street vendors. It would be great for residents and a huge attraction for visitors.

Supported a comment by Patrick Ro on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Patrick Ro
Extend the Blue Line one stop to Charles/MGH, where pre-construction for an underground Blue Line terminus already exists

Supported a comment by Shaw Lupton on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Shaw Lupton
How do we convert Boston's underloved pedestrian bridges and overpasses into cultural assets?

Supported a comment by Jennifer Effron on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Jennifer Effron
Make the "Silver Line" true rapid transit instead of just a big bus. At the same time, create wider sidewalks, shorter crosswalks and protected bike lanes. Make our neighborhoods pedestrian friendly!

Supported a comment by Travis Chapman on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Travis Chapman
Make the silver line a light rail or subway route from Roxbury to the airport. Commute times in buses are far too long, especially when they wait in traffic with cars!

Supported a comment by Matthew Bennet on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Matthew Bennet
Cover the Pike with a deck and put a park above it. Would re-knit the neighborhoods and provide green space for the city.

Supported a comment by Roquefort Roach on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Roquefort Roach
Build over the Mass Pike. A highway separating the neighborhoods is highly disruptive to the cohesiveness of the city. Join the South End to Bay Village and Chinatown by developing this stretch.

Supported a comment by Galen Mook on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Galen Mook
I'd like to have this whole part of Boston developed with the focus on housing, retail, parkland, and connections through to Allston -- and to get here by attractive walkways, safe bikeways, and convenient bus & train!

Supported a comment by Preston Buehrer on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Preston Buehrer
Businesses here could really use some extra sidewalk and patio space. Right now the intersection is designed primarily as a parking lot, with angle-in, perpendicular, and parallel parking spots abound. Make this a pleasant place for people, not cars, and help the surrounding community thrive. Bike and pedestrian traffic is already high - this intersection could become a real destination instead of just the end of Allston's Harvard Ave pub-crawl.

Supported a comment by Travis Chapman on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Travis Chapman
South Boston needs a subway connection to the Red Line. Buses are already overcrowded during rush hour and traffic is a nightmare. The only way to accommodate more growth is to build a new line on the T.

Supported a comment by Eric Buckley on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Eric Buckley
Let's make Hanover Street (and Salem Street for that matter) pedestrian only! These streets are already a mess with cars and taxis and double parking tourists, a car free stretch would be a huge draw and it would allow all of the restaurants to expand their outdoor seating in the warmer months.

Supported a comment by Preston Buehrer on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Preston Buehrer
This monastery sight is currently slated for redevelopment. As a large parcel in a transit-rich area, it should be a dense development that brings many new people to the neighborhood. As part of the development, brighten and improve Monastery Path as a bike/ped connection between Washington Warren, include bike parking/Hubway, and make safety improvements to the intersection of Monastery Rd and Washington St.

Supported a comment by Robin Gaynor on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Robin Gaynor
Modernize and update public transportation, especially the Seaport area.

Supported a comment by Lianne Barry on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Lianne Barry
Downtown Boston can be a bustling atmosphere during the work week - but have you ever visited it on the weekends? Most restaurants are closed, there's not many bars open & if you don't want to go to Fanuiel Hall - not much activity happening. The Financial District should have more pop-up activities. Farmers markets, spotlights on historical buildings, any event that highlights what Boston has to offer throughout the downtown area.

Commented on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

I agree; the core of downtown is better at this, but these peripheral areas (such as the one marked) are full of traffic patterns that are difficult to traverse for pedestrians. Better cross-walks, signals, signage and lighting could vastly improve pedestrian connections in this area.

Commented on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

The blue line and red line really should connect. The blue line has a fantastic connection to the airport, east boston, and points further north - all of these places are relatively disconnected from cambridge (currently requiring multiple transfers on other lines). For example, the silver line accommodates many people trying to get from the airport to cambridge, but it's a highly indirect route that is already quite full most of the time. The terminus of the blue line could really be improved to make it more useful.

Supported a comment by Carla Ceruzzi on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Carla Ceruzzi
The silver line and blue line should connect. This would make it so much easier for East Boston to connect to the Seaport, and would require no new infrastructure!

Followed Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Commented on Imagine Boston 2030 ^{7 years ago}

Enhance the efficiency of the green line B-branch; technologies such as intelligent stoplight control, train right-of-way, GPS enabled tracking for street-level portions of the line, etc., are a necessity. Since affordable apartments are impossible to find downtown, more and more workers are living in brighton/allston/chestnut hill and commuting on the B-line. It literally takes 40+ minutes to go less than 3 miles in the morning. Trains are full of working employees at 7:30am, and the cars are passing the train on Comm Ave.

Jim M.

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