Table Of Content

Blue Hill Avenue... A Community Vision Developed by: The Blue Hill Avenue Task Force January 1996 Supported by: Thomas M. Menino, Mayor City of Boston Marisa Lago, Chief Economic Development Officer Charles T. Grigsby, Director, Public Facilities Dept. Prepared by: Stull and Lee, Incorporated Architects and Planners In coordination with: The Public Facilities Department Digitized by the Internet Archive 2013 in http://archive.org/details/bluehillavenuecoOOblue Blue Hill Avenue... A Community Vision Developed by: The Blue Hill Avenue Task Force January 1996 L i C5KMR T ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Blue Hill Avenue Task Force Members Congressman Joseph Kennedy Allen Davis Holborn/Gannett/Gaston/Otisfield Senator Dianne Wilkerson Betterment Association I'man Soloman Representative Charlotte Richie Masjid Al-Quran Al Lovata Representative Gloria Fox Merchant, Be Our Guest Party Rentals James Carnes Councilor Gareth Saunders Merchant, Packy Conners Pub (aka Packy's) Daniel Cruz Nestor Rios Minority Developers Association Alianza Hispana Rev. Nellie Yarborough Matthew Goode Mt. Calvalry Church Crawford/HowIand/Ruthvan/ Eva Mitchell WaumbackAVabeno Block Watch Nation of Islam Lilla Fredericks Evelyn Friedman-Vargas Devon Street Group Nuestra Comunidad Ramon Senises George Martinez Dudley / Blue Hill Merchants Association Project R.I.G.H.T. Clayton Turnbull Magdaline Jigba Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative Quincy/Geneva Betterment Association Nathaniel Askia Senesie Kabba F.I.R.S.T. Inc. Quincy/Geneva Housing Rev. Verdieu Laroche Development Corporation First Haitian Church Leon Nelson Martha Williams Roxbury Chamber of Commerce Five Streets Neighborhood Association Sandra Lovelace-Graham / Zulene Gray-Allen )uanda Johnson-Taylor Roxbury Multi-Service Centerl Freedom House Rev. Gerald Osterman Rodney Daily St. John's / St. Hugh's Church Gang Peace Cesar DaSilva Lois Lee St. Patrick's Church Granite Tenants of Grove Hall David Lopes Herb Jackson YouthBuild Greater Roxbury Workers Association Barbara Williams Special thanks to all others who have partici- Grove Hall Elderly Housing Group Robert Hector pated in the Process. (See Appendix 5.) Grove Hall Board of Trade Reggie Nunnally Grfjve Hall NDC Alice Cintron Grove Hall Youth Center Blue Hill Avenue...ACommunity Vision Stull and lee, Inc. Date: |an 1996 CONTENTS Executive Summary 1 Background of the Study 6 Appendices 1.1 Introduction 6 Appendix 1 - 1 .2 Role of Task Force ^ PFD Existing Land Use Maps Appendix 2 - 2 The Study Area Existing Building Conditions Map 2.1 Existing Conditions Appendix 3 - 2.2 Issues and Opportunities Key Development Projects Map 3 The Urban Design Vision 14 Appendix 4 - Sample Development Guidelines 3.1 Development Framework for 77 Blue Hill Avenue Appendix 5 - 3.2 Urban Design Case Studies ^'^ List of Participants 3.3 Phasing 4 A Strategy for Action 4.1 Roles and Responsibilities 46 4.2 Plan for Implementation 46 4.3 Strategy for Implementation 47 4.4 Conclusions 47 Stull and Lee, Inc. Blue Hill Avenue...A Community Vision Date:Jan 1996 List of Figures Figure 1 Site Context Map 7 Figure 2 Figure Ground Map 8-9 Figure 3 Issues and Opportunities 10-11 Synthesis Map Figure 4 Program Goals Matrix 79 Figure 5 Urban Design Framework Plan 20-21 Figure 6 UD Framework Initiatives Matrix 25 Figure 7 Zone Subdivision Chart & Map - 26-27 Existing Figure 8 Zone Subdivision Chart & Map - 28-29 Proposed Figure 9 Location Map - 30 Specific Interventions Figure 10 Distribution ofPotential Buildings 31 to be Modified Figure 11 Existing Retail Building 32 Figure 12 Proposed Changes for - 33 Building and Streetscape Figure 13 Quincy Crossing Parcels 34 Figure 14 ParcelA 35 Figure 15 Parcel B 35 Figure 16 Parcel C 36 Figure 17 Parcel D 36 Figure 18 Existing Figure-Ground 37 Figure 19 Proposed Figure-Ground 37 Figure 20 Sketch at Quincy Crossing - 38 Street Level Figure 21 Massing Sketch 38 Figure 22 Zone 5 - Existing Conditions 39 Figure 23 Zone 5 - Proposed Buildings and 40 Parking Lots Figure 24 Proposed Building Types 42 Zone 5 Figure 25 Phase One Action Plan 44-45 2 Blue Hill Avenue...A Community Vision Stull and Lee, Inc. Date: )an 1996 ...PEOPLE WANT TO HAVE SOME FUN ALONG THE AVENUE" Executive Summary fabric is generally good with a number of architec- tural high points. The numerous vacant parcels and This study is the result of an organized effort by buildings in this zone represent tremendous oppor- local community activists and concerned public tunities to rebuild Blue Hill Avenue "...not as it leaders to revitalize one of Roxbury's most recog- once was, but better than it ever was", as noted by nized "Avenues". The intent of the Study is to a Task Force member. establish a comprehensive vision and development framev^ork for Blue Hill Avenue, from Dudley Positive characteristics attributed to this area Street to Grove Hall. include: At the core of this effort was an open and inclusive • overwhelming political support for revitalizing planning group. This umbrella group was the Blue Blue Hill Avenue Hill Avenue Task Force. Its membership included minority developers, contractors, elected officials, • an overall increase in the annual sales volume. representatives of churches, CDC's, business own- The per capita income of this community ers, property owners, and neighborhood groups. (which over the past five years has actually Sub-committees, made up ofTask Force volunteers, increased) can support greater community were formed to address specific concerns around development (i.e., businesses, retail stores, housing, commercial development, and city ser- housing, etc.); vices. These and other pertinent issues were the topics of many evening Task Force meetings and • the presence of several strong institutions and served to focus the study. community organizations including Franklin Park, the Franklin Park Zoo, the Roxbury At the request of the Blue Hill Avenue Task Force, Comprehensive Health Center, and the and with the approval of the Mayor's Office and Roxbury Multi-Service Center; the Public Facilities Department, the architecture and planning firm, Stull and Lee, Incorporated was • the strides made by the police and the commu- selected to facilitate the efforts of the Task Force nity to lower the crime rate and to improve the and the Boston Public Facilities Department. real safety of the area, in contrast to the per- Working closely with the Task Force, S-i-L's role was ceptions which exist; to develop an urban design vision for the Avenue, a framework for a comprehensive action plan. • its zoned status as a major boulevard in the city That vision and framework is the core of the study of Boston, and measured traffic volumes, in "Blue Hill Avenue Initiative - A Community excess of 24,000 cars per day, represent sub- Vision". stantial opportunities for new businesses. The portion of Blue Hill Avenue that is the focus of this study is a mile long zone which begins at Dudley Street and ends at Grove Hall, one of Roxbury's best known commercial centers. Its dominant land use pattern is residential with a sig- nificant number of small retail and institutional uses scattered throughout. The quality of the built Stull and Lee, Inc. Blue Hill Avenue...A Community Vision 3 Date: Jan 1996 Along the corridor, and in the surrounding areas, Report Organization there already are numerous signs of new and proposed development projects. Nearby there are sig- The Report is organized in four chapters. The first nificant public and private sector proposals already two chapters summarize the overall goals of the underway or nearing completion including the Study and the basis for the "vision". The second Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative Housing two establish the "vision" and what will be projects; a new restaurant in Grove Hall on Blue required to accomplish its objectives. Hill Avenue; and two new public parks at the inter- section of Blue Hill Avenue and Dudley Street. Chapter Background of the Study,addresses the 1 , Several development projects have also been pro- history of the planning study and its key partici- posed by local churches, non-profits and private pants. The principal goals of the Blue Hill Avenue developers and are awaiting the completion of this Task Force are discussed in this chapter. study. Chapter 2, The Study Area, summarizes the existing characteristics of the designated study area based on field visits and analyses of existing reports. This summary also highlights the issues and opportunities that are key to the revitalization efforts. Chapter 3, The Urban Design Vision, spells out a future "vision" and framework for getting there. Specific case studies are presented for three distinct areas to illustrate physical design objectives. A generalized phasing plan is included to propose critical short term actions. Chapter 4, A Strategy for Action, describes a plan for action and strategic roles to be played by the City, the Task Force, private investors, the community (including local youth), and other interested parties. Appendices have been included to provide specific details to the report as noted in the text. Blue HillAvenue @ SAid-1900's 4 Blue Hill Avenue...ACommunity Vision Stull and Lee, Inc. Date: )an 1996 5 ...HAVE FAITH IN THE FUTURE OF BLUE HILL AVENUE 1. Background of the Study met periodically to review specific development issues including - housing, commercial needs and 1.1 Introduction city-services. Principal goals of the Task Force are: The gradual economic and physical decline of Blue Hill Avenue over the past three decades is symbol- 1. To make City property available for devel- ic of the dramatic changes to many inner city opment that is consistent with the goal of neighborhoods throughout the United States. the Plan. Several master plans have been developed for the 2. Promote complementary development of private vacant property to attract new busi- area since the 1980's. This effort is linked to the federal Community Development Block Grant nesses that provide local goods, services (CDBG) Program - that is geared towards promot- and/or jobs. ing long term economic and social viability in urban communities. By linking strategic econom- 3. Support existing businesses that strengthen ic, physical and human development directives, the Avenue. with the CDBG Program, the opportunity exists to empower this inner city community to achieve self- 4. Address city-service issues including public safety, clean up and infrastructure needs to sufficiency. improve development opportunities. The Blue Hill Avenue Initiative is an action plan to further the revitalization of this Roxbury communi- 5. Encourage entrepreneurial opportunities for ty through a comprehensive program of infrastruc- local residents. ture investment, housing and commercial development projects. 6. Develop marketing strategies to attract new consumers and better serve existing resi- The Initiative builds on unique social, economic dents. and political conditions and community resources within the area. The recommendations that follow 7. To generate a compelling vision for a revi- are key elements in a new vision for the Blue Hill talized Blue Hill Avenue. Avenue corridor and its adjacent communities. 1 .2 Role of the Task Force A basic premise of the planning process was that it be open and inclusive. In order to ensure the active and informed participation of the community, the Blue Hill Avenue Task Force was estab- lished. This group met throughout the planning process to establish project goals and objectives and to review the planning alternatives as they emerged. In addition, a series of sub-committees 6 Blue Hill Avenue...A Community Vision Stull and Lee, Inc. Date: )an 1996