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Massive redevelopment in the works for 31-acre Gillette site: Housing, commercial space and parkland that will double as a bulwark against rising seas
By adamg on Thu, 08/22/2024 - 9:05am
Procter & Gamble told the city yesterday it will soon file detailed plans for turning World Shaving Headquarters along Fort Point Channel into a new neighborhood as it moves its manufacturing to Andover over the next few years.
In a "letter of intent" to the Boston Planning Department, the company promises the best a development can be, to "transform the existing industrial-oriented uses into a vibrant mixed-use community," one that will include more than nine acres of housing and some 15 acres of publicly accessible greenspace and parks - which will be designed to protect both the site and the surrounding area from raging, rising seas - all combined into "a precedent-setting climate-resilient development that supports the City of Boston's environmental goals, includes green infrastructure to address district stormwater concerns and promotes coastal resilience by protecting the project area and the neighborhoods beyond."
Fort Point Channel is one of Boston's top coastal-flooding concerns, because during an intense storm with higher seas, it could act as a funnel for floodwaters to ravage large swaths of South Boston and Dorchester - the channel is a remnant of what was once a much larger body of water called South Bay.
Because of the project's size, the company says it will file a formal request with the planning department to throw out the land's current manufacturing zoning and craft a custom "master plan" to allow for the new development. In addition to the city, state environmental officials will also get to weigh in, both because of the land's location on the channel and because parts of the site are filled-in former tidelands - which remain under state oversight.
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Comments
Do it!
This is great. Obviously the details matter, but I assume to maximize their investment they're going to go big and dense, so I'm very optimistic.
And with its location nestled between South Station and Broadway, it won't have the same transit (or lack thereof) issues that a lot of the deeper seaport developments do.
Yeah, unlike many supposed
Yeah, unlike many supposed "transit-oriented" developments which are a 15-minute walk from a Commuter Rail station (cough cough Boston Landing), this site is only a 2 minute walk from Broadway. Which also has the potential to be a real walking-oriented square, but for now it's a little sleepy retail-wise.
jobs
Is this going to move permanent jobs out of town where there is little transit? Seems like both manufacturing and housing would work at the site.
Yep
They announced last year they're moving the manufacturing to Andover.
Manufacturing and cities no longer mix
Cities used to be full of affordable land with great rail/port connections and tons of cheap labor.
Today cities have insanely expensive land, tons of traffic and complicated logistics, and mostly expensive labor of the wrong kinds. The rail connections are mostly gone, getting dozens or hundreds of trucks a day in and out is a PITA, noise and environmental issues are thorny, and if you're a millwright or controls tech, you probably live a lot closer to Andover than Southie.
Industry built most of the Boston waterfront, and now all those buildings have been turned into offices or condos.
Bigger Question
Are they going to open up Dorchester Ave to pedestrian traffic? So you can walk from South Station to Broadway in South Boston without going into Fort Point.
Fort Point post office
Dot Ave could only become truly open if the post office allows it.
I was under the impression this was a ….
…. Homeland Security decision.
But the Harbor Walk should have never been sectioned off like it has been for way too long.
Happened before Homeland Security department existed
I don't know when, but it was well before 2001.
Not the walkway
They closed off the street, but commandeered the walkway after 9/11.
Because they wanted to and they could use it as an excuse.
Happened during …
… the Big Dig in the 90’s. Once that project was completed, it was kept closed by Homeland Security as it sought to better protect federal facilities. If the PO moves to the Seaport, that concern will disappear
That's not up to Gillette
though I wonder if the city of Boston could accomplish this by an eminent domain taking of just the street (not the postal facility).
Talk about cutting-edge development!
Looks sharp.
too fast
Hopefully they won't do it too fast or they will get razor burn.
They'll need a daycare
For all the little shavers who move in.
There had better not be
There had better not be anything built high enough to throw a 5 o’clock shadow on the Common.
The sea-breeze helps clear
The sea-breeze helps clear the diesel from South Station, but electrifying it would make that whole area healthier no? Speaking of that area reminded me of that major poke in the eye standing astride our cultural landmark: South Station. How on earth did that come to pass?
I am saddened
When I look at pre-1980s pictures of South Station .. I get sad.
The pictures of the old grand halls and waiting area.. it was a beautiful late 1800s era station with a big car barn, lots of berths and just looked nice. It *was* our version of Grand Central and its beauty.
But to be fair, by the late 70s.. the building was dilapidated and most of it was no longer used anymore. I get why they torn alot of it down, but in the same breath.. not so much because again.. Grand Central or Los Angeles Union Station as examples of what could have happened if they did not.
I fear if the MBTA didn't take it from the BRA, by the mid 80s there would have been a high rise there and nothing of the current station left. The MBTA did good here in saving as much of the station as possible.
In 1978, there were few trains that used South Station. Fast Forward almost 50 years, they regret removing tracks because the station is now so busy. If I had a time machine, man.. I'd go back and tell them.. DON'T DO IT.
I’m glad they named it after Gov Dukakis.
And didn’t tear it all down.
That disaster being built over it is a menace.
I miss the old North Station too.
The old Sullivan Sq station looks pretty cool in old prints also.
Dukakis that modest dude
He didn't want it named after him. But he was the one who saved it really.
Plus he was such a gun ho public transit supporter.
Edit: I wish the 1897 Version of North Station still existed. That was a beauty.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Station#/media/File:North_Union_Stat...
I’m glad a grand aspect
I’m glad a grand aspect remains. The only thing that would be worthy of defacing the heritage our city would be a unified rail hub. Building above South Station feels craven to me.
I haven't been
I haven't been over that way.. or at least upstairs to see in a few months. I can see the tower now rise above the station from Eastie.
It looks awful tbh. Out of place. I won't even begin how annoying it is that they plan on building (or currently building) a 350 car garbage on top of the station.
The only thing I LIKE that they are doing is expanding the intercity bus station because it f'ing needs it like yesterday. Its soooooooooooo crowded.
Yeah, one thing I don’t miss…
… except nostalgically … is the old Greyhound station on St James.
Or the old Park Sq Trailways.
Check out the Out of Towners…
…a 1970 film with Jack Lemmon & Sandy Dennis to see how far South Station had fallen. I was mugged outside there in the mid-70’s, but also fondly remember the station before that wing was demolished. There were fancy kiosks down the middle of the main lobby selling newspapers and magazines, various foodstuffs and candy (Fanny Farmer always had a brightly lit, colorful, mouthwatering display of confections). There were also a couple of restaurants and a chapel, Our Lady of the Railways, renowned for its 15-minute Masses. It had originally been a small movie theater. They just removed the seats and put pews on the risers
Another nail in the coffin
This is another bigoted move to eliminate the low and middle class jobs in the City, pushing low and middle class families and workers out. Where’s the outrage from the Democrats and the Unions?
Bigoted?
I think Gillette is highly aware that the area will be underwater and are leaving because of it.
Andover
The best a man can get.
S. Station
Hines turned South Station into an unpleasant crowded food court by shoehorning too many square feet.
I hope they enjoy the rent.
And given how many times there's been turnover... let's hope they enjoy that too.
It's also an advertising gallery for full immersion ad buys. Hines made it an unpleasant place to be for even a few minutes. Unless you like $6.79 pretzels.
There's a market for that there, apparently.
I was always inspired by
I was always inspired by Boston not only being "The Hub of the Universe" but "World Shaving Headquarters" as well. I've used Gillette products ever since I could shave. I'll miss that sign as well as the jobs. Life goes on...