1975 “BOSTON NAVAL SHIPYARD/CHARLESTOWN BRA – Planning and Development Program” for Navy Yard Acquisition. Boston Redevelopment Authority, Robert T. Kenney, Director, Boston, MA November 1975 (Includes demolishing Bldg. 197 and Pier 5 as marina use)
1975 “BOSTON NAVAL SHIPYARD/CHARLESTOWN BRA – Planning and Development Program” for Navy Yard Acquisition. Boston Redevelopment Authority, Robert T. Kenney, Director, Boston, MA November 1975
(Includes demolishing Bldg. 197 and Pier 5 as marina use)
“The problems and the site’s previous use as a Naval Base have thus deprived Charlestown residents of~ enjoying the most exciting part of their communityFs shoreline.” (Also 1978 Plan)
“NEW USES OF THE SHIPYARD SHOULD PROTECT, AS FAR AS POSSIBLE, THE ARCHITECTURAL, HISTORICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTER OF THE SITE.”
“The shipyard is important both for the fine historic buildings located there as well as for its character as a naval shipyard. Plans for the site should attempt to preserve not only buildings of architectural and cultural merit but some of the essential qualities of the shipyard-—the piers, the scale, the textures, the relationship to the water.”
“Development District —-The area between I.st Avenue and the Waterfront is heavily encumbered by vast 20th century industrial buildings. These structures overshadow the historic district and visually block it from the water.”
Original 1975 BRA Plan includes demolishing Bldg. 197 and Pier 5 as marina use.
1978 – “1978 / Design Guidelines – New Development Area Boston Naval Shipyard at Charlestown | Boston Planning” This 1978 plan shows Building 197 without wings but now retained for residential and Pier 5 with 24 townhouse structures and open at Pier end. An agreement was later made with the original developer, “Immobilarie”, to allow the Flagship wings and parking under, in exchange for elimination of all but 14 of the developer’s proposed townhouses on Pier 5 for which he also had development rights. (The Pier was also to be left open to the public along the entire western city side toward Pier 4 which is seen in the 198.
Quotes from 1978 Plan : These should be confirmed in reviewing the original U.S. Navy Transfer / GSA Documents, especially regarding the maintaining of vistas and the shape of the piers..: