Planning Initiatives

The study area for the “Harrison-Albany Corridor Strategic Plan” is bounded by the Massachusetts Turnpike to the east, Albany Street/Southeast Expressway/Massachusetts Avenue Connector to the south; generally Massachusetts Avenue to the west; and generally Washington Street/Harrison Avenue to the north.

In March 2008, Mayor Thomas M. Menino noted that the study area was poised for growth due to the success and revitalization of neighboring Washington Street. Desiring a comprehensive vision for that area, the Mayor requested that the BRA prepare a Strategic Plan to include land use, urban design, transportation, and economic development principles and strategies. The area is currently home to a diversity of land uses including light industrial, wholesale distribution, medical, commercial, and small pockets of residential. Additionally, the presence of underutilized and vacant land parcels poses an opportunity for significant development. A final Strategic Plan for the Corridor has been adopted by the BRA Board with its general purpose being to guide future development within the Study Area so that it meets the needs of the diverse community in a way that does not jeopardize existing neighborhood uses and attracts new jobs and businesses to the Corridor.

The BRA worked with neighborhood businesses, property owners, institutions and community members to develop a comprehensive Strategic Plan for the Harrison-Albany Corridor. The Mayor appointed a 30-Member Advisory Group as part of this Strategic Planning process, which started in April 2009. To date, there have been 16 Advisory Group meetings (open to the public) and 2 community-wide meetings. The adoption of the Harrison-Albany Corridor Strategic Plan was in November 2011 at the regular BRA Board meeting.

Through the planning process, four subareas were created within the Study Area, along with draft vision statements for each subarea. The next steps in the planning process included the creation of a public realm plan (open space and urban design principles), analysis of existing and future land uses, studying transportation and infrastructure, envisioning potential development scenarios, identifying economic development potential, and developing an implementation plan that included recommendations for new zoning text and map amendments.

The creation of amendments to Article 64 "South End Neighborhood District" (the South End's zoning article and map) concluded this BRA process, and went before the Boston Zoning Commission on January 18, 2012 in a public hearing where they were adopted. The BRA continued to seek guidance from the 30-Member Advisory Group throughout both the planning and rezoning phases.

Both the Harrison-Albany Neighborhood Strategic Plan, and the Text and Map Amendments to Article 64 “South End Neighborhood District” are available below for download.

1. Final & Approved Zoning Text and Map Amendments For Article 64: The South End Neighborhood District
   
2. October 26 2011 Advisory Group Power Point Presentation – REZONING
   
3. FINAL Harrison-Albany Strategic Plan June 2012
   
4. October 4, 2011 South End Landmark District Commission Power Point Presentation
   
5. September 20 2011 Community Meeting Power Point Presentation – Final Draft Plan
   
6. July 28 2011 Advisory Group Power Point Presentation
   
7. April 27 2011 Advisory Group Power Point Presentation
   
8. Presentation March 10 2011 AG Working Session - Transportation
   
9. Presentation Feb 9 2011 AG Working Session
   
10. November 17 2010 Advisory Group Power Point Presentation
    
11. May 26, 2010 AG Meeting Notes
    
12. May 26 2010 Advisory Group Power Point Presentation
    
13. 18 November 09 Advisory Group Power Point Presentatio
    
14. Sign-In Sheet Attendees for Meetings from April 15, 2009-October 28, 2009
    
15. October 28, 2009 Community Meeting Summary Notes
    
16. October 28, 2009 COMMUNITY MEETING Power Point Presentation
    
17. October 7, 2009 AG Meeting Summary Notes
    
18. 7 October 2009 Advisory Group Power Point Presentation
    
19. September 16, 2009 Advisory Group Meeting Transportation Presentation
    
20. September 16, 2009 AG Meeting Summary Notes
    
21. 3 August 2009 AG Meeting Summary Notes
    
22. Power Point Presentation for 5th Advisory Group Meeting, August 3, 2009
    
23. July 29, 2009 Walking Tour Map: New York Streets and SOWA Sub-Areas
    
24. 1 July 2009 AG Power Point Presentation
    
25. FINAL Advisory Group Comments from the July 1, 2009 Visioning Exercise by Topic Area
    
26. 1 July 2009 AG Meeting Summary Notes
    
27. 3 June 2009 AG Power Point Presentation
    
28. Advisory Group Comments from the June 3, 2009 Visioning Exercise
    
29. 6 May 2009 AG Meeting Summary Notes
    
30. 6 May 2009 AG Power Point Presentation
    
31. 15 April 2009 AG Meeting Summary Notes
    
32. 15 April 2009 AG Power Point Presentation
    
33. Transport Map Transit Map
    
34. Transport Map Hot Spots
    
35. Transport Map Crosstown Routes
    
36. South End Landmark District and Protection Area