This is a damn fine gift.
I could restate all the reasons cited in the article as to why connecting Cashman to the Waterfront makes sense. But here's the most important reason.
I walk that route all the time, and those walks will be infinitely more pleasant when this is done.
13 comments:
Tom-
The benefits for those living in the Cashman Park area will be huge. When completed, the boardwalk will provide a high quality, scenic pedestrian/bicycle corridor to the downtown. Right now, we all share the joys of the Route 1/Merrimac Street interchange. Won't it be nice to not have to deal with that?
My sincerest thanks to the Seaport Advisory Council, Rep. Costello, Senator Baddour, Mayor Moak, and most of all to Geordie Vining, who has worked tirelessly to make this all a reality.
I agree its great news. About the Rail Trail, I'd love to see a coffee shop or cyber-cafe type place at either end of the trail. Maybe one on the river end, one closer to the station, or even close by on Washington St.or seasonal hot dog stand in Cashman Park. As an urban amenity/park it might be nice to have the trail attract 'everyday use' customers like PI Roasters has thus building a long term constituency and generating regular foot and bike trafic.
Someone please explain to me exactly what benefit this is to the city and residents impacted by this riverwalk. I'm willing to listen. I have been heartsick and apprehensive over this since the planning stages.
WHY on earth is this needed? Buy local I understand. We patronize every local 01950 merchant we can.
As a resident of River's Edge who bought a condo to get away from a busy metro Mass area I now face a future of tourists in my back yard (not a problem -I love to travel), litter (a problem), noise (BIG problem-I LIVE here!). I truly believe that people are not as caring and considerate as in the past so I anticipate problems here. In the place I now call home.
I'm very glad I am not directly on the water. I'm curious to see how many flee as a result of this. I cannot imagine that the residents here would embrace strangers in their backyard. And..any Police patrols?
How can this possibly increase my quality of life, my property value?
Cashman Park is a wonderful play place for kids and currently immaculate. Safe.
Why??
Understandable concerns but if you look at Rowes Wharf in Boston, it has certainly benefited from the Harbor Trail there. The condos are more valuable and the residents love it.
Sometimes a bit of foot traffic makes it safer, not vice versa, and River's Edge residents will have an easy stroll to Michael's on game day.
A few points,
First I do understand and appreciate your concerns. I'm not sure how I'd feel about this project if my house sat on the river.
But...
Your situation isn't unique. Many people move next to wide open fields or forests that provide them a mental sanctuary. Unfortunately, those sanctuaries often are eliminated when someone buys the property and develops it. (See the Ridge.)
I'm not blaming the developer who simply is exercising their rights as property owners. I just think people tend to take unofficial ownership of properties that aren't theirs and they mistakenly believe the property will always remain the same.
Similarly, the riverfront isn't anyone's private sanctuary or at least it shouldn't be. It belongs to all of us. This new boardwalk simply reaffirms that fact.
For those folks who have homes along the river, I'm sure some precautions will be taken to assure privacy. (There's nothing currently in place for the Riverview folks adjacent to the circle drive off Pop Crowley. I walk in their back yards all the time.)
But they will have to deal with sharing their views with others. Some may move. But I suspect others will step right in to buy.
To your larger question about how this is good for the city? Many people come to the downtown to walk along the boardwalk. It stands to reason that if we make the walk even better that more people will come.
BTW, regarding the Cybercafé idea. I had a similar thought, believe it or not. Wouldn't it be neat if we could utilize that old rail road bridge. A restaurant might be tough, but at least a viewing platform would be possible.
On occasion, there is a seasonal hotdog stand at Cashman Park. Nina's Wieners sets up down by the boat ramp. Most of the time, Nina's Wieners sets up at Attkinson Common, because that is where the traffic is.
There was a coffee shop at the train station, and it failed for a host of reasons, but one of the biggies was that there just wasn't enough traffic to make a go of it.
Yes, it would be wonderful if there were cyber cafe's, hot dog carts, hot chocolate stands and maybe even a balloon man for the kiddies. Who's going to be the first to quit the day job and have a go at it?
Based on some of the responses, I have two quick comments.
First, with respect to retail development near the train station, the city does lease the MBTA depot building and we expect to find a spring tenant. (This was the most recent home of a pizza company before it went bankrupt.)
Second, the city is also amid discussions to enter into a lease with the youth soccer association for the Cashman Park field. (This will be similar to the arrangement at the Cherry Hill Park off Storey Ave.) This will also improve the area, so like the planned boardwalk, will increase foot traffic and the need for vendors or such.
Two downsides.
First, the railtrail puts an end to any plans by the MBTA to expand northward into Salisbury/Seabrook/etc. I believe this will be regretted in a few years' time (and for the life of me I could never understand why the T station wasn't placed downtown).
Secondly, purchasing land among the old City Railroad right of way is bound to be very expensive.
Of course, the rail trail will need to be periodically swept of the homeless, who have established themselves along the current ex-B&M railbed quite comfortably.
First, I love the nickname, Carrot. Thanks for the chuckle.
To your points, it took 15-20 years to get the train back up to Newburyport on an existing rail bed. In my judgement the T doesn't have the time nor resources to extend it any further. I suspect the one hour-plus trip is as long as they'll go. Furthermore, I don't see the benefit of extending it another 10 miles.
That said, if there were truly a pressing need a trail would be a small speedbump not a major physical impediment.
Regarding the location, I suspect space was the primary issue. Folks need a place to park cars (and trains.) Once the rail trail is up it really wouldn't be that far a walk or bike ride for folks living downtown.
Thanks for the comment!
Tom,
You are quite right. In the lease agreement for the City to have use of the right of way, there is a clause that should the MBTA need the rail bed for train use, the use of the land will revert back to the T, with the City being compensated for funds expended.
You are also correct in your reasoning for having the trains station on the outskirts of town. The train line is to serve the region, not just those within walking distance of the train tracks. Given our current cultural entwinement with the automobile, Parking is a must.
On a per rider basis, it would be far, far more cost effective to increase the amount of buses that service southern NH than to expend the many millions necessary to bring the train line up to proper standards. Right or wrong, the capital investment in the Intersate highway system is already there.
Lastly, if folks are concerned about noise from pedestrians using the river walk, wait until the 5:05 rumbles on by!
Let's not forget that A)the MBTA will pursue projects that don't necessarily make economic sense to the rest of us, exhibit #1 being the Greenbush line, and B)if I remember correctly at least one study group has recommended extending the Newburyport line up towards Salisbury/Seabrook.
(I distinctly remember this last one because I read it around the same time that construction began on the condos at the old Donahue Dodge and the thought of some yuppies overpaying for a poorly constructed pressboard condominium and then being rousted from their sleep by the blast of an airhorn elicited peals of laughter from me).
Cost effectiveness is not necessarily a driver for MBTA operations; the chief metric is ridership, hence the Greenbush line (and the overly pricey refurb of the line from Ipswich to Newburyport). Sooner than we think the total carbon footprint per commute may be the most important metric, in which case even the stinky ill-tuned FP40's that the T runs will win hands down over thousands of automobiles.
Also, the swing bridge looks like hell but is apparently in reasonable shape, and the raibed up until Salisbury square is actually in fair condition. I know this from personal experience; being a railfan and a boating nut I landed my dinghy way back there this past summer and did some exploring.
As for a downtown station, I agree, parking would be a real PITA. BUT, if the NRA lots aren't really full during the work week, and there's capacity there's no reason the NRA couldn't charge a $1/day. A downtown station would be great for people coming to visit as well; it sure beats leaving the train at the traffic circle and then figuring out how to get theah from heah.
My Fantasy 2008 carbon saver [and cheaper than a big parking garage]
Two City run 12 seat free vans continuously running in opposite directions on a twisted figure 8 route : Storey Ave, High School, RT one to Circle/Train Station, up State to High, Down Federal to Tannery, Water to Market, Merrimack to Towle to Ferraz Shawmut, to Moseley Woods then up around Ferry and back to Storey Ave. Reasonable costs after subtracting some school transport costs and maybe some pilot money from MA or Fed.
I'd settle for one such van running on weekend days between the downtown and the train station. Not only could it transport train riders to the downtown, but our car-carried visitors could park at the station on weekends.
Or perhaps we should follow The Simpson's lead and build a monorail!
Post a Comment