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星期六, 12月 31, 2022

查理貝克不排除將來參選美國總統的可能

麻州州長查理貝克出席活動。 (檔案照片,周菊子攝)
           (Boston Orange 編譯) 麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker) 29日在接受WBZ電視台的訪問中談論在任時遭遇過的起伏,他當大學體育聯盟 (NCAA) 會長的下一份工作,以及將來可能如何。

查理貝克稱,自己的最大成就之一是把高速網路帶給麻州西部。他說,我認為把寬頻網路放進麻州西部53個沒有網路的社區,真是很重大的影響

儘管查理貝克在位8年,一直都是全美最受歡迎州長,他卻希望自己在任上能夠完成更多事情。他說他很辛苦的推動完成了關於危險及色情圖片的法案。

麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker)在活動中跳了幾步舞。(檔案照片,周菊子攝)
查理報課表示,麻州是全美唯二州之一,沒有把報仇式色情當成罪案法令,以及婦女所述說的很殘酷故事定調為犯罪。

查理貝克也承認當奚莉 (Maura Healey)下週四宣誓就任州長時,有其他挑站要面對。

查理貝克說,如果關於房屋供應,應我們必須做和就房屋的供應品,房屋開銷。如果你的年紀在2535之間,有更容易的地方來買一棟房子容易,而且你現在也可以從很多不同的地方摸索、認識。

查理貝克卸任後,將出任NCAA董事長,過去8年他自己沒開過車。我太太認為我需要通知環繞著,以及就在Swampscott的警察局

他將在明年3月出任全美大學體育會董事長。他形容大學體育會的運動景觀是過渡性的,複雜的,高危險的。我只是看這整件事,看到已經很了不起,可以更驚人的一些事。我們只是必須確定以正面方式從這兒去到那兒

他也說,他不排除將來競選總統的可能。

他說,我從來不關上任何一扇門在我的政治生涯中,已經發生很多無法預測,而我必須接受,了解,並且感激的事。對那樣的事來很快給一個很強硬答案,大概不是個好主意

查理貝克將繼續住在Swampscott。你也可能看到他開那輛他已經開去上班許多年的1966年舊野馬(Mustang)

一名60歲婦女在Andrew地鐵站外遇槍擊

警方籲請民眾協尋行兇嫌犯。 (來自推特)
              (Boston Orange編譯) 麻州地鐵交通警察週五晚獲悉南波士頓安德魯 (Andrew)車站發生槍擊事件,趕到現場時發現一名60歲婦女腹部受傷。

交通警察總監Richard Sullivan表示,大約下午525分時,警察趕到安德魯地鐵站,發現一名婦女腹部受傷。警方仍在調查槍擊事件,但可能是意外。

受傷婦女在被送到當地醫院時,仍然清醒,傷勢不重,無生命危險。警方當晚並未逮捕任何人。

週五晚,交通警察局在推特上呼籲人們協助尋找和槍擊事件有關的人,以便問話。該則貼文包括一張相片,上面是一名有鬍子,長髮結辮,帶著藍色棒球棒,在暗彩色外套下穿著紅色連帽衣的人。

交通警察請任何有資訊的人撥打617-222-1050 ,或者發送匿名短信到 873873

麻州橘線地鐵又出狀況 波士頓市第一夜搭車民眾得預留更多時間

MBTA推特貼文。官網稱橘線地鐵乘客須預計延誤15分鐘。
                (Boston Orange 綜合編譯) 新的一年正要開始,麻州地鐵 (MBTA) 又出狀況了。麻州地鐵提醒民眾,這星期有多輛橘線地鐵暫停服務,波士頓第一夜這晚搭地鐵的人,得估算更多搭車、等車時間。

               麻州地鐵在週五傍晚發出的一份聲明中表示,平常有10組車服務的橘線地鐵,在檢查員發現電子接地組件故障,檢查了整個橘線地鐵的所有車輛,把其中一些送修後,現在改以8組車營運。

               麻州地鐵最近仍然不斷有狀況,先是波士頓環球報 (Boston Globe) 揭發地鐵限速行駛的實際比例比年報所列高了3倍,接著是至少9節橘線地鐵車廂有機械故障,乘客等車時間比正常情況長了一倍。

               波士頓前鋒報(Boston Herald)指出,交通事務實驗室(TransitMatters Lab)的軟體工程師說,平常橘線地鐵有10節車廂,但122930日這2日只有57節車廂運行。

               麻州地鐵發言人Lisa Battiston說,在本週稍早的一次橘線地鐵電子接地組件例行檢查中,一名工程師發現電源線和附近的車軸摩擦,可能產生了一些電弧,於是地鐵檢查了整個橘線車隊,以確認是否有其他車廂也有問題。

               Battiston說,到今天,麻州地鐵發現9節車廂出現了一些電弧,已經把這些車廂送修,換車軸,撤出服務行列。這9節車廂共有11個車軸受影響。

               麻州地鐵說,這星期的檢查發現故障電纜是用作連接地面,不是電源供應線。電路的接地線也是重複的每輛卡車有2根或者4根。

               如果車輛的同一節車廂的2個接地線同時故障,車載軟件會卸除車廂上的推進器,消除來自電線的可能電力,並且通知操作員。

               週五,30日這天傍晚,Battiston表示,麻州地鐵以8節車廂一組,共48節車,每1214分鐘一班車的模式運行橘線地鐵,比早前的5節車廂一組好。這是比符合原定班次要求少了12節車廂的2組火車模式。

               Battiston說,在地鐵持續檢查和做必要維修期間,橘線乘客的等車時間將繼續加長到大約15分鐘。

               麻州地鐵的新橘線火車是麻州地鐵經由和中國動車 (CRRC)簽署10億元合約製造、組裝的,因為剎車,電池故障等等問題,已經從服務行列撤下來好幾次了。

星期五, 12月 30, 2022

慶祝新年 波士頓第一夜水前區冰雕處處

波士頓第一夜冰雕。 (檔案照片)

              (Boston Orange 編譯) 迎接2023新年,除了第一夜的冰雕,波士頓水前區 (waterfront)將有至少32個地點展出冰雕。

               新英格蘭水族館的中央碼頭 (Central Wharf) 將有燦爛冰雕 (Brilliant Ice Sculpture)Don Chapelle設計、雕刻幾尊企鵝。每一隻企鵝將由每一塊重300磅,共36塊,10,800磅的冰雕製而成。

               Chapelle已經為水族館製作冰雕16年了,雕過北大西洋右鯨,鯊魚,企鵝,毛皮海報,小海獅,以及章魚。

               今年他準備雕10英尺寬,8英尺高,4英尺深,水族館裏備受人喜愛的非洲企鵝,每隻站起來大約3540英吋高。其中包括沙灘驢,以及一隻24歲,因為醫療旅程及特殊鞋子的故事而備受人矚目的老非洲企鵝。

               水族館,哥倫布公園,蘿絲甘迺迪綠路是參加水前區冰雕巡禮的32個展示地點之一,從1231日的下午1點起至黃昏,供人免費欣賞。

展望2023 麻州州政府,波士頓市府領導都將加薪20%

               (Boston Orange 編譯) 新的一年,還有一、二天就開始了,社會經濟還未從新冠病毒疫情中復甦過來,波士頓市和麻州的民選議員和官員卻都將加薪,加幅甚至高達20%

               2023年之後到2024年,麻州領導層官員、議員和波士頓市長的年薪,都將超過20萬元。

               麻州政府的這次的加薪,不只加薪水,還把6名州級領導的薪水、津貼及開銷費用和麻州每2年一次的薪資變動掛上勾。

               包括候任州長奚莉 (Maura Healey) 在內,多名麻州政府領導都將大幅加薪20%,年薪攀升至超過20萬元。這也將是州政府從2017年以來,加薪幅度最大的一次。

奚莉將於下週宣誓就任州長,加薪20%,將使她的基本薪資漲到222185元,比現任州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker)37185元。如果再加上州長可得的65千元房屋津貼,她這新州長的總薪酬將跳升到287185元。

               候任副州長Kim Driscoll的薪水,也將從165000元漲到198000元。

               麻州總檢察長、州務卿、財政長,以及稽核長,全都有權加薪20%。現任麻州參議員的Diana DiZoglio,將在就任稽核長一職後,成為這4個職位中年薪最高者,229377元。

               麻州參議會議長Karen E. Spilka,眾議會議長Ronald Mariano的年薪將增加大約25000元,總薪酬大約203000元。

州議員及民選官員是否接受加薪,將視乎其個人決定。波士頓環球報稱,在現實社會正面對通貨膨脹、能源成本高漲情況中,這些議員、官員的決定,對於支持減稅,在競選期間形容自己關注居民經濟痛苦的候任州長奚莉來說,將是早來的政治考驗。

奚莉及Driscoll的發言人29日表示,她們倆人都將接受法令訂定的薪資。Diana DiZoglio也透過發言人表示,她將接受調漲後的薪資。

候任麻州總檢察長Andrea Campbell表示,她將接受加薪。她的薪資將漲到222639元。現任麻州總檢察長的年薪為185378元。

這大幅度加薪,其實源自2個不同的薪資調整法,一是麻州憲法保障的加薪,一是2017年通過的法令。儘管都是設計得要把麻州最有權是領導者的薪資改變和麻州的薪資水平掛勾,它們卻給了官員們決定如何計算的自由度。以今年為例,調整是根據不同數據來算的。

第一個機制是憲法修訂,把議員的基本薪資和家庭中位收入掛勾。法令文句卻給了州長很大空間來訂定確切的變動數額。在註記為週四發給財政廳廳長高柏珂 (Deborah B. Goldberg)的一封信中,麻州州長查理貝克下令,議員加幅4.42%,把議員們的基本薪資從7537元增加到73654元。

查理貝克說他的辦公室在決定變動時,用的是來自美國統計局美國社區調查的數據。

第二項機制比較複雜。議會在2017年所分別制訂,但相似的憲法修正條款,用字模糊,並未指定一個特定辦公室或官員來實際計算。

雖然法令並未要求,但財政廳廳長辦公室從2018年起就自動地兩年做一次分析。該辦公室29日說,他們決定,全州性的議員,官員們從週日起,有權加薪20.1%,調薪幅度也適用於議員們的開支及領導津貼,以及議會撥給最高領導及委員會主席和其他人的可觀附加津貼。

高柏珂辦公室發言人表示,他們是用美國商務部經濟分析局所決定,最近8季的薪資季度變化匯總來計算。

根據該數據,議員的開支帳戶,視乎議員居住地方離州政府大樓距離而定,目前在17040元到22720元之間的這數目,將增至4566元。議員們的領袖津貼會漲得更多。

麻州眾議會議長Mariano的發言人說議長會接受加薪。麻州參議會議長的助理還未說明。

現任麻州州長查理貝克 (Charlie Baker)和副州長白莉朵 (Karyn Polito)2019年和2021年,以及2年前都拒絕了更小幅度的加薪。高柏珂也拒絕了加薪。

新年後將展開第34年任期的麻州財政廳廳長高柏珂,在新年度開始後會否接受漲到228000元的薪資,目前還不確定。她說,她需要看一看。

麻州州政府的這次加薪,以及加薪規模,似乎讓某些人意外。

麻州州務卿威廉蓋文 (William F. Galvin) 透過發言人表示,加薪20%對他來說是新聞。即將履行第8個任期的威廉蓋文,經由查理貝克的基本薪資加4.4%的命令,總薪資將從現有的187433元漲至225107元。

傾向於保守派的麻州財政聯盟 (Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance)的發言人Paul Craney表示,這加薪的光暈效果真的很糟,尤其是麻州正準備實施選民投票通過的徵收富人稅。麻州中產階級既要擔心生活開銷,還要擔心自己的支薪工作,已經有很多焦慮在心了,這時機真是很糟。

波士頓市議會今年11月以94票,推翻市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 的否決案後,也將得到20%的加薪幅度,並從2024年起,再逐步增加。

按照這新辦法,市議員們的薪資將在2024年時。從103,500元增至115,000元,然後202512萬元,2026125000元。

波士頓市長的薪資到2026年時,將從207000元漲至25萬元。警察局長,消防局局長的薪資也都將調漲。

在市議會的投票中,市議會議長Ed Flynn,市議員Frank BakerMichael Flaherty,以及Erin Murphy都反對該加薪案,也反對新的選區重劃地圖,但該2法案都在多數議員同意中通過。

波士頓計畫發展局2022年內批准興建3247戶新住宅 36%有收入限制

BPDA approves 3,247 net units of housing in 2022, with 36 percent designated income-restricted

Highest percentage of income-restricted units approved in the last decade

BOSTON - Friday, December 30, 2022 - This year, the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) approved development proposals that resulted in a net increase of 9.3 million  square feet of development worth $6.4 billion. This includes a net increase of 3,247 residential units approved for development, of which 1,164 or 36 percent, will be income-restricted. This is the highest percentage of income-restricted units approved in the last decade. Development projects approved this year are estimated to generate 9,299 construction jobs and 16,683 permanent jobs. Development projects newly approved in 2022 will generate $40.7 million in Linkage fees to support affordable housing, and $7.5 million in Linkage fees to support job training programs.

The BPDA held approximately 280 agency-sponsored events across every single Boston neighborhood this year, most of which were held virtually. More than 11,500 people are estimated to have participated in these public events. The event that had the highest engagement was Copley Connect which was a 10-day pilot program in partnership with BTD to open Dartmouth Street to pedestrians. BPDA staff engaged with more than 1,000 people during this pilot program over the 10-day period. For all virtual public meetings, the BPDA also included ways to participate via phone to provide accessibility for residents without internet access.

This year, the BPDA also authorized the release of 7 Requests for Proposals for BPDA property disposition, representing a total of 145,406 square feet of land offered for productive community use and development. The BPDA also designated 6 of the Agency’s properties for redevelopment, totaling 250,256 square feet of land. Those designations included Parcel R-1 in Chinatown, which is envisioned to be a mixed-use site comprised of over 100 units of affordable housing and a location for the Chinatown Branch Library, and 20-22 Drydock in the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park, which is proposed to be a life science development with a robust lab training facility.

Mayor Wu hires new Chief of Planning to direct BPDA, as well as a new Deputy Chief of Urban Design

The BPDA Board of Directors approved Mayor Michelle Wu’s Chief of Planning Arthur Jemison to serve as Director of the BPDA in May of 2022. In his role as Chief of Planning and Director of the BPDA, Chief Jemison coordinates and directs all City plans, land use directives, and all related development policies and processes.

Since beginning this role, Chief Jemison has focused on elevating planning-led development in an effort to create a more resilient, affordable, and equitable city. Under Chief Jemison’s leadership, the BPDA has approved 44 new development projects and 14 Notice of Project Changes, delivering transformative community benefits. The agency has also completed ongoing planning studies, and implemented rezoning to support future growth in areas like the Western Avenue Corridor in Allston. This includes the ongoing transformation of the agency to reform planning and development processes that result in more predictable and transparent public processes.

In addition to Chief Jemison’s hiring, the agency also hired Diana Fernandez as the Deputy Chief of Urban Design in July. Under the leadership of Chief Jemison, Fernandez is elevating the importance of urban design, and champions the transformative power of sustainable and walkable communities for all ages and abilities. In partnership with Chief Jemison and the BPDA’s Urban Design Department, Fernandez is working to strategically transform existing BPDA urban design processes to promote predictability and quality for both the community members and the development industry.

The agency has made more than 50 new hires in the past year, across planning, development review, human resources, and several other departments.

Boston recognized by Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize 2020

Boston has been honored as a Special Mention for the 2020 World City Prize, based on the City’s holistic work on climate resilience, improving housing affordability and mobility options, and fostering civic participation. Boston’s submission was led by the BPDA, which hosted the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize nominating committee for a visit in 2019 with City of Boston agencies, non-profit organizations, institutions, business leaders, and community stakeholders.

The committee called Boston a visionary city where close partnership and trust is delivering significant results. The committee noted Boston’s foresight in climate resilience, and urged other waterfront cities to take a similar, proactive approach to tackle climate change.

Boston was the only U.S. city recognized in the 2020 Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize awards cycle. The World City Prize was awarded to Vienna, Austria. Boston joined Antwerp, Belgium, and Lisbon, Portugal with Special Mentions. The 2020 awards cycle was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

BPDA adopts decarbonization strategy for all agency property

The BPDA adopted a new decarbonization strategy to achieve zero net carbon emissions at all BPDA-owned properties. Through this work, the BPDA has laid out strategies that work with the various types of real estate assets in the agency’s portfolio. The BPDA has begun initial steps to execute on this strategy, including engaging with its tenants, initiating energy audits, and exploring a solar energy generation program on BPDA-owned land. The BPDA will track results of the strategies identified and continue to work with other City departments to make adjustments to the policy as needed.

City of Boston completes city-wide land audit

The Public Land for Public Good: Citywide Land Audit of all city-owned property was completed in June. This report is the culmination of an effort to comprehensively inventory all City-owned property, identify vacant and underutilized properties, and set in motion accelerated efforts to best utilize this property to serve Boston’s communities, particularly through the development of affordable housing.

The audit found that a significant number of vacant and underutilized parcels are already in the pipeline to be developed as affordable housing or preserved as open space, but the City’s land portfolio, as identified through the audit, does include high-opportunity sites that have not yet been initiated for community-oriented development.

The BPDA and the Mayor’s Office of Housing will use both the report and the ongoing PLAN: Charlestown neighborhood planning process to accelerate community visioning for the Austin Street parking lots adjacent to Bunker Hill Community College. This process will analyze the opportunities to build transit-oriented affordable housing and meet other neighborhood needs identified by the neighborhood and stakeholders in PLAN: Charlestown.

BPDA institutes new DEI in Development policy

The BPDA adopted a new policy in August introducing diversity, equity and inclusion into the filing process for large projects in the City of Boston. The DEI in Development policy was approved by the BPDA Board at their August meeting. The policy calls on development proponents to disclose diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) plans for large projects when they are filed with the BPDA through Article 80. The agency believes this policy is the first of its kind in the country.

Applicants filing large projects are now requested to submit plans to include economic participation, employment, and management roles for people of color, women, and certified Minority and Women Owned (M/WBE) Businesses within the scope of their project. The BPDA will collect these plans for informational purposes to understand disparities in the real estate market, increase M/WBE participation over time, and evaluate strategies to drive greater impact.

BPDA releases Life Sciences Action Agenda

The BPDA released a Life Sciences Action Agenda in November in response to ongoing life sciences development throughout the City of Boston. In an effort to support the industry’s built environment needs, while addressing concerns from the public in relation to the location and design of these developments, the Life Sciences Action Agenda provides transparency around how the BPDA will take a coordinated approach to guiding life sciences development.

The BPDA is committed to continuing to leverage new investment in this industry to support equitable economic opportunities for Boston residents to encourage job creation and the growth of a resilient economy, as well as prioritizing more housing options to support this growth.

Through the Life Sciences Action Agenda, the BPDA will shape life science development using new design guidelines and zoning language, and support public health and safety in partnership with our sister agencies. Draft Life Sciences Design Guidelines will be released for public review in 2023. The agency will ensure the built environment and any other aspects within agency jurisdiction do not contribute to any health and safety concerns. In addition to these commitments, the BPDA will also continue to integrate appropriate planning for life sciences developments in ongoing planning initiatives, which will then be incorporated into zoning.

Mayor Wu announces strategy for inclusive growth by increasing funds for affordable housing and speeding up development approvals, as well streamlining the approval process for affordable housing

In October, Mayor Wu signed an executive order aimed at speeding up the production of affordable housing by streamlining the BPDA’s approval process. The order directs the BPDA to recommend reforms to the Article 80 process of the Boston Zoning Code, and to propose changes to the Zoning Code more broadly, to establish an alternative path for the review and approval of projects that develop at least 60 percent income restricted units. The new process will continue to include a robust community engagement process and thorough agency review, and also establishes clear and accelerated timelines for the various departments and agencies involved in the Article 80 process. The BPDA has been working closely with the Mayor's Office of Housing on meeting the requirements and deadlines set out in the executive order, and has broad support across City agencies for cutting the timeline for approvals in half. Initial results of that work will be ready early in 2023, with the Article 80 and Zoning reforms due to the Mayor in February.

In addition, Mayor Wu announced a set of proposals in December to make substantial changes to the Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) and the commercial Linkage Policy that will enable Boston to support its growing population and ensure the city is a place where families of all income levels can afford to live. These changes will increase Boston’s supply of affordable housing while maintaining the City’s position as an attractive market for real estate development.

The Mayor’s proposed changes to IDP include: lowering the threshold from ten to seven units, and, for rental projects, increasing the proportion of projects that are income-restricted from 13 percent to 20 percent, while also deepening affordability requirements. The new policy gives the option for proponents to dedicate 17 percent of the project as income restricted at an average of 60 percent of Area Median Income, and offer the remaining 3 percent at market rents reserved for people with housing vouchers. Federal Housing Vouchers usually pay a landlord Fair Market Rents at 100 percent of Area Median Income.

For homeownership projects, on-site IDP requirements will be increased from 13 percent to 20 percent in IDP Zone A & B (the top third and middle third of citywide neighborhood median values), while holding affordable requirements at an average of 90 percent of Area Median Income. The Mayor is using new authority to incorporate the IDP into zoning, therefore assuring that all developments with seven or more units help to meet Boston’s affordable housing needs.

The changes to the Linkage Policy include lowering the threshold and exemption from 100,000 square feet to 50,000 square feet, increasing the total linkage fee over two years to $30.78 per square foot for lab space, and to $23.09 for other commercial uses, up from $15.39. 16 percent of the fees will support job training and job preparedness programs, while the remaining 84 percent will support the creation and preservation of affordable housing. The increase in the fees will be phased in over two years.

The City will launch a process to review proposed changes to Article 80 in order to make it more timely and predictable for projects that meet the City’s goals of resilience to climate change, affordability for residents, and equitable growth across neighborhoods. Under the new regulatory approach, the BPDA will develop a “scorecard” for projects. Projects that meet these goals may be eligible for streamlined review, focused community engagement, and simplified mitigation and community benefits. Projects which innovate in these three areas could possibly receive consideration for tax relief and infrastructure support. The reforms will also create new, predictable regulatory milestones for Article 80 review. These changes will be studied and canvassed with the community in the first quarter of 2023 with implementation targeted for the new fiscal year.

The effective date for the new rules will be determined based on the BPDA Board, Zoning Commission, and City Council approval processes, but it will not affect any projects currently under review.

Neighborhood and Transportation Planning Updates

As part of its ongoing commitment to proactively planning for Boston’s future growth, the BPDA is leading an unprecedented number of planning initiatives. Neighborhood planning studies are moving forward in MattapanCharlestownDowntownNewmarket and East Boston. The BPDA launched the South Boston Transportation Action Plan (SBTAP) in November, and the Western Avenue Corridor Study and Rezoning (WACRZ) was adopted by the BPDA Board in October.

Charlestown

During the Summer of 2022, PLAN: Charlestown released draft land use scenarios for the future of the historically industrial areas along Rutherford Ave and Sullivan Square. The community provided feedback in response to those draft scenarios over the course of two months. A team of external urban planning consultants are currently working to update a new draft scenario that responds to and incorporates community feedback. Early next year, an updated scenario will be presented to the community, along with needs analysis findings, recommendations, and urban design guidelines for the entire community. The planning team intends to release a draft plan in late spring 2023.

East Boston

PLAN: East Boston recently released draft zoning recommendations for the “Neighborhood Residential'' areas of East Boston. The BPDA invites community feedback on current draft recommendations. Revised recommendations based on feedback received will be shared with the community in February 2023. Additional future engagement will focus on the neighborhood's waterfront and evolving industrial areas. The BPDA intends to conclude the planning phase of this initiative by August 2023.

Mattapan

PLAN: Mattapan’s vision for the neighborhood’s future is grounded in its past and present as it charts a more equitable future. The comment period for the draft of PLAN: Mattapan ended on December 4, 2022. Now, the planning team is incorporating stakeholder feedback and making final edits to the PLAN. Planners are hoping to bring PLAN: Mattapan to the BPDA Board of Directors for review in early 2023.

Newmarket

PLAN: Newmarket is an ongoing planning initiative working closely with community stakeholders to develop a vision for an equitable industrial neighborhood of the future. PLAN: Newmarket is focused on efficient land use and increasing employment opportunities, and the climate resilience, transportation, and public realm infrastructure needed to achieve those goals. Having completed its work on land use scenarios and public realm, the staff and consultant team are currently working with stakeholders on transportation and climate resilience guidelines. The planning process will be complete in the first half of 2023.

Downtown

PLAN: Downtown recently relaunched the community planning process that began in 2018 and paused in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The planning study focuses on developing a framework for the preservation, enhancement, and growth of Downtown and Chinatown. The PLAN: Downtown process will include engagement with local stakeholders and community members to examine the effects of the pandemic on each of these goals, and explore new development regulations, including new zoning, to help adapt and strengthen Downtown and Chinatown.

Western Avenue Corridor Study and Rezoning

The BPDA Board this year adopted the Western Avenue Corridor Study and Rezoning (WACRZ). WACRZ was adopted by the BPDA Board in October and approved by the Zoning Commission in November. Developed in consultation with the community over three years, the WACRZ plan provides guidance on land use, urban design and mobility issues along Western Avenue, Telford Street and Everett Street in Lower Allston. Through phasing over time, the WACRZ plan will introduce protected bike lanes and ultimately a Transitway along Western Avenue.

South Boston Transportation Action Plan

The BPDA and the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) announced in November the launch of the South Boston Transportation Action Plan (SBTAP), which will be completed in close partnership with the Disabilities Commission (DC) and Boston Public Works Department (PWD). The BPDA is evaluating the unique transportation challenges in the core of South Boston’s residential neighborhood, and through the South Boston Transportation Action Plan planning and engagement process, will improve transportation access, efficiency, and safety.

Building on the vision and goals in Imagine Boston 2030 and Go Boston 2030, the South Boston Transportation Action Plan will evaluate safety concerns in South Boston and focus the City’s resources on proven strategies and people-first improvements to eliminate serious and fatal traffic crashes in South Boston. The plan will study key transportation connections to and within the South Boston area and recommend improvements that can be implemented immediately, within the next 15 years, and beyond. The recommendations will reflect an understanding of South Boston as it exists currently, as well as the forecasted effects of new development. This Action Plan will develop community-driven mobility improvements and conceptualize future complete streets and transit network improvements to respond to this growth, and allow the neighborhood to reach its full potential.

The BPDA and BTD will release a detailed analysis of the existing multi-modal network and will work to determine the necessary sequencing of improvements to safely meet future mobility needs. Following a future conditions analysis, the South Boston Transportation Action Plan will release recommendations aimed at eliminating serious and fatal traffic crashes, simplifying intersections for all users, and improving the transit network. The recommendations will build upon nearby recent existing planning initiatives including, but not limited to: PLAN: South Boston Dorchester AvenueSouth Boston Seaport Strategic Transit Plan, and the South Boston Waterfront Sustainable Transportation Plan.

BPDA and BTD pilot Copley Connect initiative

Over the course of a ten-day period in June, the BPDA in partnership with the Boston Transportation Department (BTD), launched Copley Connect, a pilot program to open Dartmouth Street to pedestrians. During this time, the street was closed off to non-emergency vehicles, and programmed with activities for visitors of all ages to the space between the Boston Public Library and Copley Square Park. The BPDA has committed $200,000 to public realm and wayfinding planning in Copley Square.

There are a number of factors the City and BPDA examined during the pilot initiative including the impact on the surrounding street network and the use of the open street space. This data was tracked and analyzed over the course of the pilot to better inform future planning. During these ten days, staff engaged with more than 1,000 people regarding the pilot and how they think this space should be used moving forward. This pilot initiative presents the opportunity to expand and unify the public realm in Copley Square, and ultimately better connect it to nearby open spaces and transit stations. The data collected during this pilot program will be shared publicly in the beginning of 2023.