PLACEMAKING STUDY I-90 ALLSTON INTERCHANGE Task Force Work Session February 3, 2016

I-90 ALLSTON INTERCHANGE

PLACEMAKING STUDY

Boston Redevelopment Authority

Task Force Work Session –

February 3, 2016

The Cecil Group

Stantec

Nelson/Nygaard

I-90 Allston Interchange Placemaking Study The Cecil Group | Stantec | Nelson\Nygaard February 3, 2016 1

I-90 Allston Interchange Placemaking Study

Work Session Topics

 Mobility/Connectivity

 Review of previous work session discussion

 Energy Efficiency/Sustainability

 Discussion of key considerations

 Development Flexibility / Distinctive and Contextual

 Current design considerations

 Future district considerations


Allston Interchange: Strong connections to surrounding areas

Harvard

Business

School

FROM DECEMBER 2014 BOSTON

REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (BRA)

COMMENTS ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL

NOTIFICATION FORM (ENF)

Harvard

Enterprise

Campus

Provide for a network multi-modal paths connecting to the existing

Allston neighborhood, Charles

River Reservation, Packard’s’

Corner, Boston University, and the future Harvard Enterprise Campus .

Allston

Cambridge

Magazine

Beach

Boston

University

Packard’s

Corner

NOTE: Diagram is illustrative only and not intended to represent actual street layout.


Allston Interchange: Traditional street grid/Revitalized Cambridge Street

Harvard

Business

School

FROM DECEMBER 2014 BRA COMMENTS

ON THE ENF

Allston

Harvard

Enterprise

Campus

Allow for a street grid which maximizes pedestrian and vehicular connectivity throughout the district and minimizes impacts on existing residential areas. A range of street types should be provided, including an off-road, multi-use path for pedestrians and cyclists.

Magazine

Beach

Redesign Cambridge Street along

Complete Streets design principles,

Cambridg compatible with walkable, transitoriented development; development of secondary parallel connection to Soldier’s Field Road

Boston

University

Packard’s

Corner



Allston Interchange: Integration of bus and rail transit systems

Harvard

Business

School

FROM DECEMBER 2014 BRA COMMENTS

ON THE ENF

Harvard

Enterprise

Campus

Accommodate connections at

West Station between various transit systems, connecting

Harvard and North Allston to points east (i.e., Kendall Square,

East Cambridge and Somerville) and points south (i.e., the

Longwood Medical Area).

Allston

Cambridge

BUS

COMMUTER RAIL

DIESEL MULTIPLE UNITS

(DMU)

Boston

University

Packard’s

Corner



KEY POINTS FROM THE 1/20 WORK SESSION

Harvard

Business

School

Allston

Harvard

Enterprise

Campus

Street widths no wider than necessary to accommodate traffic and circulation functions

Define function and hierarchy of streets in the district

Cambridge

Create primary bicycle connections that are direct and efficient

North-south bus connection

Contextual patterns for hydrology, resiliency and sustainability should be integrated into future district considerations

Packard’s

Corner

I-90 Allston Interchange Placemaking Study

Boston

University

Explore more direct regional connections to reduce impact on district

The Cecil Group | Stantec | Nelson\Nygaard February 3, 2016 6


Summary Discussion:  Energy Efficiency/Sustainability

Flood levels in Boston

(Projecting water level 9 feet above current levels):


Source: Building Resilience in Boston, July 2013




Hurricane Hazards in Boston

(Storm surge and wind):






Category 4 Hurricane Flood Risk in Allston





Summary Discussion:

Historic High Water

 Energy Efficiency/Sustainability


Source: Allston I-90 Interchange ENF, October 2014




Impervious Surfaces in Allston

(Storm surge and wind):






Current design considerations:

 What are the underlying characteristics driving district decisions?

 Integrate flood resiliency into district design

 Design hard infrastructure to mitigate flooding

 Consider flood elevations when setting final roadway and intersection elevations

 Integrate stormwater flows, collection and treatment into functional open space network

 Other sustainability/resiliency drivers?



Works Session Focus:  Development Flexibility


 How are the blocks shaping development character?

 How does development shape the street environment?

 How can West Station be integrated into the district?

 How should the development be shaped within the district?

Reminder of next steps:

 Integration of all conversations into district alternative scenarios and discussion of trade-offs





 How are the blocks shaping development character?

 Block scale and geometry

 Block elevation and slope of roadway

 Access to blocks – highway ramps

 Access to blocks – one way streets



Discussion Topic:  Development Flexibility

Development Fit and Flexibility



Discussion Topic: 

Example of Development Fit

Development Flexibility




Block Elevation and Slope of Roadway




Photos of Slope Examples – None as steep as –

Pinckney Street on Beacon Hill

-

16% Park Street on Beacon Hill

-

9-10%





Market Street in Brighton

–

2-4%





Beacon Street

–

4-8%



Discussion Topic:

Grading and Parking

 Development Flexibility

EL: 25’ EL: 30’ EL: 22’

22’+




Transition from Highway to City Street Network




Block Access and Flexibility





Block Access – One-way Streets




Integration of West Station


800’

800’





 How does development shape the street environment?

 Continuity of street frontage

 Potential for active building frontage

 Sense of character and enclosure at the street



 Distinctive and Contextual

Character of Cambridge Street

1:2 Ratio

1:3 Ratio

41’

61’

+/123’

NOTE: Street Diagram is illustrative of a section of street design that is part of Alternative 3K-4




Photo Example

Cambridge Street near Beacon Hill

(3.5% slope avg.)

+/- 5-stories

+/- 105 ’




Character of Cambridge Street South

1:2 Ratio

1:3 Ratio

36’

54’

+/108’





Photo Example

Brighton Avenue in Allston

+/- 4-stories

+/105’




Character of West Street Connector

1:2 Ratio

1:3 Ratio

33’

50’

+/100’





Photo Example

Kneeland Street in Chinatown

Height varies

+/- 80

’




Character of Seattle Street Connector

1:2 Ratio

1:3 Ratio

30’

45’

+/90’





Photo Example

Mass. Ave. in Cambridge

+/- 3-story

+/90’




Character of Stadium Way Connector

1:2 Ratio

50’

1:3 Ratio

33’

+/100’





Photo Example

Mass. Ave. in Cambridge at Central Square

+/- 4-story

+/100’




Character of East Drive Connector

1:2 Ratio

1:3 Ratio

60’

+/120’

40’





Photo Example

Columbia Road in Dorchester

+/- 4-story

+/120’



Works Session Focus:  Distinctive and Contextual

Future district considerations:

 How should the development be shaped within the district?

 Exploration of district built form typologies

 Complementary to street/open space types



Works Session Focus:

Context Building Height:




Discussion Topic:  Distinctive and Contextual

District Wide Built Form Typologies Matrix




Future district considerations: Consistent District Built Form Type

I-90 Allston Interchange Placemaking Study The Cecil Group | Stantec | Nelson\Nygaard

NOTE: Diagram is illustrative of an overall district pattern only and not intended to represent actual district built form

February 3, 2016 42



Future district considerations: Concentrated District Built Form Type



February 3, 2016 43



Future district considerations: Tiered “A” District Built Form Type



February 3, 2016 44



Future district considerations: Tiered “B” District Built Form Type



February 3, 2016 45



Future district considerations: Contextual District Built Form Type



February 3, 2016 46



Future district considerations: Transit-oriented District Built Form Type



February 3, 2016 47


Next Steps



Next Steps

 Next Full Task Force Meeting

 Near end of February

 District Build-out Alternative Scenarios

 Presentation, evaluation and discussion


I-90 ALLSTON INTERCHANGE

PLACEMAKING STUDY

Boston Redevelopment Authority

Task Force Work Session –

February 3, 2016

The Cecil Group

Stantec

Nelson/Nygaard


PLACEMAKING STUDY I-90 ALLSTON INTERCHANGE Task Force Work Session February 3, 2016

I-90 ALLSTON INTERCHANGE

PLACEMAKING STUDY

I-90 ALLSTON INTERCHANGE