point cover jan 13 - Boston Redevelopment Authority

Summary of Project Impacts
Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
The Point, Boston
The Project has been thoughtfully designed to integrate into the surrounding neighborhood and to achieve
the goals of the Fenway Neighborhood District. As presented in detail in subsequent chapters, this expanded
PNF compares the future no-build and build conditions in order to identify the potential for the Project to
impact the environment and/or community. This section summarizes the potential impacts of urban design,
transportation, wind, shadow, daylight, solar glare, air quality, noise, solid and hazardous waste,
geotechnical/groundwater, water quality, construction, sustainable design, historic resources and
infrastructure in connection with the Project and proposed mitigation.
Urban Design
Historically, the project area has included industrial and automotive uses, which have transitioned into
‘service’ uses, such as fast food establishments and convenience retail. Boylston Street is an important
vehicular connector serving the neighborhood and linking downtown to the Longwood Medical and
Academic Area and the City of Brookline to the west. The urban design strategies of the Project have largely
grown out of and evolved from input from the local Fenway community groups as well as the BRA. As
discussed in Chapter 2, Urban Design, the Project proposes to expand upon the recent developments in the
Fenway area and the positive growth along Boylston Street. The design goal of the Project is to help realize
the revitalization of Boylston Street through a strengthened gateway into the Fenway neighborhood with a
new iconic landmark that invigorates the pedestrian realm with both residential and commercial activity.
Public realm improvements, such as an enhanced pedestrian path connecting Brookline Avenue and Boylston
Street, and the proposed open space at the southeast corner of the Project Site along Boylston Street (for
outdoor seating area for a restaurant) will add character and diversity to the urban texture. The proposed
transparent pedestrian connection between the Project and Trilogy over the shared driveway (also a
connecting street) will also contribute to a more lively and active streetscape. Additionally, new streetscapes
will be enhanced by new signage, street furniture, and lighting and landscaping.
Transportation
The Project is designed to maximize pedestrian access and to minimize traffic and parking impacts. With the
many planned transportation infrastructure projects aimed at improving transit, pedestrian, bicycle, and
traffic operations in the Fenway neighborhood, the additional traffic generated by the Project is expected to
have a limited impact on the area’s roadways. The results of the transportation analyses presented in
Chapter 3, Transportation indicate that there will be no substantial changes in overall level of service (LOS) in
the traffic study area as a result of the Project.
The Project includes no new parking and will utilize parking spaces at the existing Trilogy Garage and the
existing driveways on Brookline Avenue and Kilmarnock Street. The Trilogy garage was constructed with
excess capacity intended for the Project. Any additional parking demands will be met in other area garages
owned by the Proponent or its affiliates in the neighborhood.
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panded_PNF\00d_ProjDescription_FINAL.doc S-12 Project Description