Now is the time to let the Boston Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) and your elected officials know your opinion about the Winthrop Square development proposal and the threat of shadows on our parks. Below is a picture of where the new shadow would fall should this immense building be erected.
The deadline for BPDA public comment period on the Winthrop Square proposal is January 20, 2017 (NEW DATE). Please email the Project Manager, Ms. Casey Hines, at casey.a.hines@boston.gov as well as call your elected officials including the City Council and the Mayor with your comments about shadows and our parks.
Individual messages are the most impactful, and please include your personal thoughts about these iconic parks.
We have included some of the important talking points about the Winthrop Square proposal.
Winthrop Square proposal violates the State’s shadow laws
Preserve sunlight, prevent shadow creep in our historic parks
Amending the shadow laws would set precedent for future developers to seek exemptions resulting in more shadows on the two parks.
There should be a comprehensive, long-term development policy, not one-off decisions or exceptions
Boston Common and the Public Garden are national treasures and would be damaged by the shadows. Both are on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, and are City and National Landmarks.
Below is the list of emails (formatted so you can copy and paste) and phone numbers of the elected officials, City Councilors, and the Mayor.
Mayor Marty Walsh 617-635-4500 mayor@boston.gov
State elected officials:
Byron Rushing 617-722-2783 byron.rushing@mahouse.gov
Joe Boncore 617-722-1634 joseph.boncore@masenate.gov
Aaron Michlewitz 617-722-2220 aaron.michlewitz@mahouse.gov
William Brownsberger 617-722-1280 william.brownsberger@masenate.gov
Jay Livingstone 617-722-2396 jay.livingstone@mahouse.gov
Boston City Councilors:
Michelle Wu 617-635-3115 michelle.wu@boston.gov
Frank Baker 617-635-3455 frank.baker@boston.gov
Andrea Campbell 617-635-3131 andrea.campbell@boston.gov
Mark Ciommo 617-635-3113 mark.ciommo@boston.gov
Annissa Essabi George 617-635-4376 a.e.george@boston.gov
Michael Flaherty 617-635-4205 michael.f.flaherty@boston.gov
Tito Jackson 617-635-3510 tito.jackson@boston.gov
Sal LaMattina 617-635-3200 salvatore.lamattina@cityofboston.gov
Bill Linehan 617-635-3203 bill.linehan@cityofboston.gov
Timothy McCarthy 617-635-4210 timothy.mccarthy@boston.gov
Matt O’Malley 617-635-4220 matthew.omalley@boston.gov
Ayanna Pressley 617-635-4217 ayanna.pressley@boston.gov
Josh Zakim 617-635-4225 josh.zakim@boston.gov
Comments can also be left on the BPDA Winthrop Square page.
http://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/115-winthrop-square
