Renovations and additions to the former Bayside Expo Center, welcome Dorchester Bay City, an effort to completely remake the significant parcel of land and transform 6-million-square-feet into a new downtown area. The Dorchester Bay City Project vision is to make the plot more functional and accessible while improving the quality of life in the area.
Accessible Dorchester Bay City waterfront
For a long time, the public access to the waterfront was squandered by the design of the area. With Dorchester Bay City renovations, the waterfront will be accessible and water transit to and from the city, hopefully helping to reduce traffic in Boston.
A 2.7-acre park wat the water’s edge will allow for a scenic area to relax or grab lunch. An old 112,000-square-foot building will make way for a new, smaller Pavillion with public amenities and a Dorchester Bay Green Open Space. A walking trail known as the Dorchester Bay Esplanade will hug the green space and further support quality of life and public accessibility.
The Dorchester Bay City Project notes the benefits of these additions, “this focal gathering point, adjacent to the raised ridge and Dorchester Bay Esplanade, is meant to serve as a beacon along the water’s edge and enhance green living for the residents of Columbia Point and all of Boston.”
The waterfront pavilion’s new design will knit together nearby communities with enhanced pedestrian and bicycle access.
Affordable housing in Boston
Perhaps the greatest concerns of Bostonians are affordable housing options and improved public transit. Dorchester Bay City promises modern, affordable housing but has yet to specify on exact rent expectations.
In the project proposition, it states that 20% of the housing (391 units) will be at 70% AMI (average median income). A $10 million commitment is made from MAHA, the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance STASH Program, to help first-time homebuyers and improve housing equity.
The project, which is divided into 2 neighborhoods will bring in over 2,000 new housing units:
180 Mount Vernon Street:
- 1,405 residential units
- 2,399,600 square-feet of office space
- 146,500 square-feet of retail space
- 13 development blocks
2 Morrissey Street:
- 552 residential units
- 1,649,400 square-feet of office space
- 34,500 square-feet of retail space
- 8 development blocks
The construction timeframe of the Dorchester Bay Project is about 15-20 years. The mammoth scale will be rolled out in parts. It is estimated through this timeframe 25,000 construction-related jobs will become available. Post construction, the Dorchester Bay City will have about 17,000 new long-term employment opportunities.
Sustainability is also a big component of the project with Boston’s goal to be a carbon-free city by 2050. There will be 1,000 new trees planted to reduce CO2 emissions, LEED Gold and LEED Platinum building requirements, and 3,700 indoor bicycle parking spaces.