November 27th, 2007
Condo Living on Boston’s New Greenway
In 1959 Boston authorities made a tough decision when figuring out what to do with the overflow of traffic moving to, from, and through the city. Their solution was to erect a 6 lane elevated superhighway, one that would slice the city in half. The Central Artery, as it was called, displaced 20,000 residents from their homes, and severed Boston’s Waterfront and the North End from the rest of the city. The ability for these neighborhoods to economically compete in the city’s commerce were cruelly diminished. 25 years later, when the volume of traffic on the Central Artery began creating over 10 hours of congested traffic per day, and as the severed neighborhoods were still harboring their grudges, a solution was planned once again. This time it was called “The Big Dig”.
The Big Dig broke ground in 1991 with a mission to remove the entire Central Artery, replacing it with an 8-10 lane expressway below the surface. It would require huge connector ramps on either side of the tunnel, and as an added bonus, the Ted Williams Tunnel would be constructed to connect Logan Airport in East Boston to South Boston, thus creating an alternate route for travelers approaching from the South and West. When it was all said and done, the Big Dig disrupted 7.8 miles of highway. If each lane of those highways were laid down one after the other, it would stretch out for more then 161 miles. The project is currently in its final stages, 15 years later.
Although the finishing touches still need to be applied, Boston residents are already realizing the effects of the Big Dig. The North End and the Waterfront are once again a part of the city, whereby residents can easily stroll from one neighborhood to the other. The sound of traffic is buried beneath the streets, and the once poisoned property along the Central Artery is busting with construction and realizing a growing volume of commerce. Besides bringing the city back together, the Big Dig is responsible for the creation of more then 260 acres of open land. Where the old artery once stood stretching through the city, a strip of parks, art centers, and recreational facilities are being built. The Rose Kennedy Greenway, as the strip will be termed, is being lined with new hotels, restaurants, shops, galleries, an arboretum within, and several new luxurious condominium residences. Rowes Wharf and the Boston Harbor Hotel have had the pleasure of watching the entire Greenway laid out in front of them. Other condo buildings, either new construction or recent conversions, have recently opened their doors in time to take full advantage of the areas new atmosphere. These include Greenway Place, Folio Boston, Broadluxe, and the Residences at the Intercontinental. There are several residential communities planned for the future, including Russia Wharf, which will position itself should-to-shoulder with The Intercontinental.
The Greenway represents something brand new for a city whose streets and neighborhoods have already fathered so much history. Being a Boston resident affords each individual the ability to observe and contribute to this exciting era. Living along the Greenway and among all its integral surroundings offers a promise of something novel and unique in a city where that is often rare. The Rose Kennedy Greenway will be a hub of anticipation, of activity, of fresh character, and of exhilaration.