FAQ – The Arborway Yard: A Superior, Transit-Located Alternate Site

I’ve heard about an alternative at the Arborway Yard. Can you explain?

As found in a collaborative study with Northeastern University, The Arborway Yard site has enough acreage to safely accommodate all services proposed by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS), including wrap around services which are not required in the Commonwealths’ proposal for the Shattuck Site. The Arborway Yard can also accommodate all promises to community and the space for an electric bus fleet and charging stations as required by the MBTA.

Is the MBTA willing to collaborate?

During a joint meeting with the MBTA’s Fiscal and Management Control Board, the MBTA confirmed the timeline for the Bus Yard’s transformation aligns with the proposed five-year plan for the redevelopment of Shattuck. During the same meeting, they announced the MBTA is willing to discuss multiple uses for the site. More information can be found here: https://cdn.mbta.com/sites/default/files/2021-04/2021-04-26-fmcb-6-bus-transformation-update.pdf

What would happen to the Bus Yard?

Developing the Arborway Yard would not detract from the Bus Yard’s current function — in fact, a new electric bus facility could hold twice the number of buses currently housed at the site.

Isn’t development near a bus yard dangerous for local residents?

Electric buses are safer and more attractive than typical bus fleets, as they do not emit harmful fumes. Because of this, there are more opportunities for creative development, including building buses underground and developing at ground level.

These services are urgently needed. Isn’t developing at Shattuck the quickest solution?

Redeveloping the Shattuck site would not be a fast or easy process. The current proposal suggests these new services might be developed in 2024 or later, after an RPF is issued, responded to, selected, designed, and completed, scores of waivers are approved, and the city’s article 80 review process has been completed. The current proposal for the Shattuck redevelopment does not address the urgent and critical need for services.

With so many important, pressing needs, why should the Commonwealth consider the possibility of restoring the parkland?

Franklin Park, is a key open space for neighboring communities, providing a gathering space for events, as well as a welcome respite from city life. However, much of the parkland is no longer truly free and open to the public, with over 200 acres altered, including, the addition of the Franklin Park Zoo, the William J. Devine Golf Course, and the Shattuck Hospital (built on what was formerly Heathfield), and other facilities. These uses are primarily sited on the Dorchester/Mattapan/ Roxbury sides of the park, and limit accessible free and open space for those communities. These uses make up over 40% of Franklin Park, restricting open space availability and access in high-needs Environmental Justice Communities (Fig. 1).

Where are we in the process?

Based on the support and encouragement of many, and in response to DCAMM’s recently-issued rapid 64-day Request for Proposal (RFP) for a 99-year lease for the redevelopment of the Shattuck/Franklin Park site, we have formally requested an extension of 120 days for the process and coordinated approach to our vital public needs.

Still, without performing a Feasibility Analysis or Alternative Analysis, or further engaging residents of Mattapan, DCAMM is moving forward with a RFP deadline of Thursday, August 18. We have been meeting with state representatives and city councilors to gain support for an extension of the RFP deadline. This letter and request have been supported by two state representatives, Nika Elugardo and Liz Miranda, and over 30 organizations.

How can I get involved/learn more?

Please feel free to share this with others you think would be interested. (to digitally “sign on” on behalf of an organization or individual in support for this request: https://forms.office.com/r/8YUkcFTLVh)

Please contact your local City Councilor, State Representatives and State Senators and encourage them to ask DCAMM to postpone the vote for a final RFP until community members have been properly engaged, and until an Alternative Analysis and Feasibility Analysis have been performed.

Your local State Representative and Senator can be found here: https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

Your local City Councilor can be found here: https://www.boston.gov/departments/city-council/who-my-boston-city-councilor