BRA Approves Navy Yard Apartment Building
The 54-unit Starboard Place project will move forward as presented at a Jan. 24 community meeting, with plans to break ground in June.
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The Boston Redevelopment Authority last week unanimously approved plans to construct a new four-story apartment building in the Charlestown Navy Yard, on a site known as Parcel 39a.
The project, which is being developed by Kavanagh Advisory Group LLC and known as "Starboard Place," features 54 rental units—18 studio apartments and 36 one-bedroom apartments—but no on-site parking. Instead, the developer intends to designate 32 spaces in nearby Building 199 for Starboard Place residents as well as 11 spaces in the Flagship Wharf garage at 197 Eighth St.
Residents and Charlestown Neighborhood Council representatives expressed concerns about the lack of on-site parking at a public meeting held Jan. 24 at Constitution Inn, which is located near the empty lot at First Avenue and Ninth Street where Starboard Place will be built.
At that meeting, the CNC Development Committee voted 5-1 to support the project, with certain conditions, one of which was that the developer provide a total of 54 parking spaces—one for each rental unit, including the 11 affordable units.
But at the BRA meeting on Thursday, Feb. 14, parking was not really addressed, and the developer did not discuss plans to expand its offering to include the affordable units. Instead, talk focused on the fact that the lot had been vacant since the 1970s and that the project would add needed housing stock in the area.
With BRA approval, Kavanagh Advisory Group LLC intends to break ground as early as June, a representative said Thursday.
Charlestown joe
12:42 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
You really got to laugh!
It's amazing, 54 units of housing,and they don't have to have parking!!
Go figure, must be who ya know!
And, correct me if I am wrong, but, is all the housing in the Navy Yard occupied??
Just a question. They stated there is "needed housing stock in the area"
Toonie
2:20 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
You have to laugh...there will ALWAYS be someone to complain about new development of any kind in Charlestown.
Charlestown joe
6:51 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
I guess you may be right, especially when we like our "TOWN" the way it is .
We are not a CITY we are a TOWN
Maybe you would like to live in a New York setting but I don't!
Your name fits!
Dan
7:37 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
CJ -
While our name has 'town' in it, it's no longer a town (sorry). We're part of a city and I don't see any way we can reverse that. While I hear your frustration, we can't stop development all we can do is guide it.
What is true here is the City is looking for new tax revenues. Over the last five-six years development had been flat, now in a mad rush, every possible development project is being pushed at breakneck speed while the investment market is flush with cash.
We do need to build new housing in and around the city. The real question here is the city managing it correctly and not over developing any areas.
I do agree new housing has to have parking to meet at least 85% of the units in the Navy Yard and maybe 90% in the rest of the community. Thinking people won't have a car is just silly, Boston is still not as dense or have the same level of shopping options as New York were people can live without a car. Yes, we're headed that way but thats still many years away.
What is needed here is for the BRA to clearly outline to us (the community) what their goals are and what limits they have on future development in both the Navy Yard and C-Town proper. Allowing Parcel 39a to be developed without even meeting 50% of the units with deeded parking is a big mistake.
The BRA needs to address this to the Navy Yard community (and the rest of C-Town). Over saturation can also create a blight in a neighborhood. Clearly, the dollars have blinded them here.
Matthew
8:51 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
CJ,
Eh...Charltestown is an inner city neightborhood, whether you want to believe that or not. It's easy walking distance to the North End (which is a Boston neigborhood I'm pretty sure no one would consider not being in the "city"), as well as being walking distance from Downtown. A city neighborhood can still have a community atmoshpere. But if you're going to draw the "townie/toonie" line in the sand then this will be a short discussion.
Dan
7:01 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
If I remember correctly, this site already has a building on it. Which is most-likely the reason they feel they can't create parking below it. I'm not to sure thats a good enough reason though as others have, or have used areas next to it for the needed parking in the yard.
Toonie
12:50 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Joe - if you haven't figured out that you live in a city yet, then I honestly feel badly for you. Perhaps coming to grips with that fact would alleviate some of the whining?
Matthew
1:34 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Toonie,
What are you talking about? Charlestown is just a sleepy little country town where those dang city folk just aren't welcome.
j
1:51 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
And you can eat off the sidewalk!
Matthew
2:38 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
j,
I feel sorry for people who have no sense of humor.
Charlestown joe
4:53 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Hey Toonie
Can you direct me to Charlestown's City Hall? Or the Charlestown police dept. maybe Charlestown public works dept.
Toonie
6:09 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Yes, Joe. Please see the Boston City Hall, Boston Police Department and Boston Public Works. Charlestown is part of the city of Boston. surprised you didnt know that. Maybe this will help? Please let me know if you have any other questions. Or just ask the closest 5 year old, I am sure he/she could provide you with a sound answer.
Charlestown joe
7:20 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Oh I thought cities had there own city hall and police and public works!
Charles-TOWN is part of a city, it is NOT a city, as you state!
Toonie
7:58 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Yes. Just like the financial district, Back Bay, North End, Dorchester, Southie, etc is part of the city. I am sorry if you are having trouble grasping this very basic fact. I am trying to explain it and I guess I just can't get down to your level of thinking. You'd probably have better luck speaking with someone on your intelligence level (see earlier comment about consulting a 5 year old).
Charlestown joe
9:40 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Oh I thought you said you were a five year old?
My mistake.
But you certaintly sound like one.
You yourself just posted quote: is part of the city end quote.
Therefore Charlestown is not a City , my point!
And your point is?
Toonie
5:56 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
If you're in Charlestown, then you're in the city. End of point. I know you are too slow to understand.