What was the planning process?
Over 18 months from 2008 to 2010, Charlestown residents met to discuss options for the Rutherford Avenue Corridor in 8 public meetings hosted by the Boston Transportation Department (BTD). Meetings were announced at least 2 weeks in advance in the Patriot Bridge, via email, and postal mail. Most meetings had over 50 participants including members of the Neighborhood Council. At the final meeting in 2009, there was near consensus for the Surface Option.
After January 2010, questions have arisen about the Surface Option and 3 additional well attended public meetings were held to respond to questions and concerns. In May 2012, BTD reintroduced an underpass option for the intersection of Rutherford Avenue at Austin Street and discussion was held regarding the two distinct choices for this intersection – the Surface Option and the Underpass Option. In March 2013, the City announced the selection of the Surface Option for Austin Street. The surface option design for Sullivan Square had been selected back in 2010 and was not subject of the 2012-2013 discussion. All expectations were that the City would then move into the more detailed design phase for improvements along the corridor.
After months of work, in December 2013, the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) released its Sullivan Square Disposition Study which laid out a vision for the publicly-owned blocks that would be created by the elimination of the existing rotary and construction of a block pattern, as included in the Surface Option design. The vision was for a series of mixed-use buildings and public open space that would dramatically improve the connection between the historic Charlestown neighborhood and the Sullivan Square MBTA station.
In September 2014, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) issued a license for the Wynn Casino in Everett just north of the Mystic River and Sullivan Square. Among the conditions for the license was a financial contribution from Wynn to increase the number of Orange Line trains daily and for physical improvements at Sullivan Square. In December 2014, construction began on the Partners Healthcare headquarters in Assembly Row in Somerville (on the site previously permitted for an IKEA store which will no longer be moving to the area). As a result of these projects and others, the design for Sullivan Square and Rutherford Avenue was again reopened. MassDOT has also convened the Lower Mystic Regional Planning Group including representatives from Boston, Everett, Somerville, and MAPC.
In September 2016, BTD and MassDOT presented the final plans for the North Washington Street Bridge replacement, and the adjacent road work which will extend up to the intersection with Chelsea Street/City Square Park.
At a public meeting in October 2016, BTD indicated it was reopening the design for Sullivan Square and Austin Street. In February 2017, BTD made a presentation that included underpasses in both locations. Despite considerable neighborhood opposition, including over 450 petitions submitted by RCIC, in May 2017, BTD announced that the City had determined it was moving forward with the Underpass Option which included relocating and reconstructing an underpass at Sullivan Square and continuing to maintain an underpass at Austin Street.
After January 2010, questions have arisen about the Surface Option and 3 additional well attended public meetings were held to respond to questions and concerns. In May 2012, BTD reintroduced an underpass option for the intersection of Rutherford Avenue at Austin Street and discussion was held regarding the two distinct choices for this intersection – the Surface Option and the Underpass Option. In March 2013, the City announced the selection of the Surface Option for Austin Street. The surface option design for Sullivan Square had been selected back in 2010 and was not subject of the 2012-2013 discussion. All expectations were that the City would then move into the more detailed design phase for improvements along the corridor.
After months of work, in December 2013, the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) released its Sullivan Square Disposition Study which laid out a vision for the publicly-owned blocks that would be created by the elimination of the existing rotary and construction of a block pattern, as included in the Surface Option design. The vision was for a series of mixed-use buildings and public open space that would dramatically improve the connection between the historic Charlestown neighborhood and the Sullivan Square MBTA station.
In September 2014, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) issued a license for the Wynn Casino in Everett just north of the Mystic River and Sullivan Square. Among the conditions for the license was a financial contribution from Wynn to increase the number of Orange Line trains daily and for physical improvements at Sullivan Square. In December 2014, construction began on the Partners Healthcare headquarters in Assembly Row in Somerville (on the site previously permitted for an IKEA store which will no longer be moving to the area). As a result of these projects and others, the design for Sullivan Square and Rutherford Avenue was again reopened. MassDOT has also convened the Lower Mystic Regional Planning Group including representatives from Boston, Everett, Somerville, and MAPC.
In September 2016, BTD and MassDOT presented the final plans for the North Washington Street Bridge replacement, and the adjacent road work which will extend up to the intersection with Chelsea Street/City Square Park.
At a public meeting in October 2016, BTD indicated it was reopening the design for Sullivan Square and Austin Street. In February 2017, BTD made a presentation that included underpasses in both locations. Despite considerable neighborhood opposition, including over 450 petitions submitted by RCIC, in May 2017, BTD announced that the City had determined it was moving forward with the Underpass Option which included relocating and reconstructing an underpass at Sullivan Square and continuing to maintain an underpass at Austin Street.
