New downtown Boston plan allows 700-foot towers
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The Boston Planning Department unveiled new downtown zoning guidelines Thursday that would permit skyscrapers up to 700 feet tall in the Financial District.
Why it matters: The city is trying to revitalize downtown amid a post-pandemic slump and address the area's housing crisis through increased density at the core of Boston.
- 700 feet would be the new maximum height for most of the Financial District. Skyscrapers can also be built as-of-right instead of requiring additional zoning variances under the plan.
- Buildings would be capped from 100 to 155 feet near Boston Common and the Public Garden to prevent shadows over the parks.
Zoom in: There was significant tension among stakeholders during the process that led to the new height rules, according to the Globe.
What they're saying: Revolutionary Spaces board chair Martha McNamara told the Globe that the plan is "deeply disappointing," and Downtown Boston Neighborhood Association co-founder Rishi Shukla called the city's advisory process "a sham."
- Historic preservation advocates worry about shadows, wind tunnels and other risks to historic buildings if huge towers go up nearby.
What's next: The planning department has a public outreach effort through June 16. An agency board vote is expected in July.
The bottom line: The zoning overhaul is the biggest downtown development revision for Boston in years.
- The city is trying to balance economic revitalization with historic preservation, and not everyone is happy with the outcome.