Working Committees

 

 

 

Charles River Basin Working Group

Co-Chairs: John Messervy, Partners Health Care, Inc.
                 Frank Wuest, Forest City Commercial Group

The Charles River Basin Working Group works collaboratively with representatives from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), and the cities of Boston and Cambridge to manage the planning, design, and implementation of roadway and bridge reconstruction projects located in the Basin.  Work is currently underway in the Basin and is scheduled for completion in 2019.  The committee recognizes that the extensive time frame will significantly impact travel through and around the Basin.  As a result, the major focus of the group will be to balance travel demand while also maintaining a complex construction schedule.  Furthermore, the committee will work to ensure reliable transit access, improved pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure and create opportunities for ride sharing throughout the process. 


Greenway Abutters Committee

Co-Chairs: Brian Chaisson, Tishman Speyer
                 Bud Ris, New England Aquarium

The Greenway Abutters Committee supports the Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy in the ongoing operations, maintenance and programming of the parks.  ABC has a vested interest in the long term success of the Greenway as the land serves to reconnect Boston’s vibrant waterfront to the City’s dynamic urban landscape.  The committee continues to advocate for the development of civic and cultural uses and promote short term and long term improvements that will enliven park parcels and attract local residents, the business community and visitors to the Greenway.    

 

 

Project Development Committee

Chairs: James Keefe , Trinity Financial

The Project Development Committee monitors and participates in the planning and implementation of Boston oriented transit and highway infrastructure projects.  Projects under review by the committee include the Northeast Corridor Rail, Silver Line Phase III and the State Implementation Plan Projects (MBTA Green Line Extension, Fairmount Line, and Red/Blue Line Connector).  The committee will also review progress on the Metropolitan Highway System’s Stem to Stern review and the MBTA State of Good Repair and safety projects. 

 

 

Real Estate and Land Development Forum

Co-Chairs: David Perry, Hines
                 Daniel St. Clair, Jones Lang LaSalle

The Real Estate Forum meets quarterly to discuss the intersection of real estate development and infrastructure investment in Boston. This ABC committee is typically open to the public and members of the board are encouraged to invite interested parties.  

 

 

South Boston Stakeholders Group

Chair:  Jim Rooney, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority

In order to best support the course of development occurring in the South Boston Waterfront neighborhood, A Better City has organized a South Boston Stakeholders working group. This broad group of stakeholders meets approximately every two months and the discussions and action items revolve around shaping transportation and land development opportunities that support the full economic development potential of the South Boston Waterfront.

 

 

Sustainability & Climate Change Committee

Chair:  John Drew, Drew Company, Inc.

This committee guides the work of ABC’s Sustainability & Climate Change Initiative, which provides the leadership to advance transportation, energy, and sustainability strategies for businesses, institutions, and buildings in Greater Boston to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The committee works to engage ABC members and external stakeholders with city and state agencies by providing a forum for discussion on policy and regulatory issues and programs. 

 

 

Transportation and Construction Committee

Chair:  Nicholas Iselin, Intercontinental Real Estate Corp.

The Transportation and Construction Committee focuses on traffic management and construction mitigation  issues related to the Central Artery project and the reconstruction of bridges, tunnels and roadways currently underway in the Charles River Basin.  This group is dedicated to working with members of the related ABC committees focusing on the Central Artery corridor construction and the Basin as well as with the Cities of Boston, Cambridge and State agencies to ensure transit projects move forward.

 

Transportation Finance and Policy Committee

Chair:  Lawrence DiCarra, Nixon Peabody

This committee offers ABC members an opportunity to engage in a larger discussion about transportation finance issues and how they relate to politics on the State and Federal level.  The Transportation Finance and Policy  Committee also looks at various policy issues and how they impact the ABC membership. 

 

Urban Ring Institutional and Business Committee

Co-Chairs:      Thomas Glynn, Partners HealthCare
                      Paul Levy, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

This committee advocates for the implementation of circumferential transit service in the Urban Ring corridor that encompasses leading educational, medical, cultural, and life sciences institutions. The committee includes ABC members from these institutions and the business community. The committee seeks to place early actions into service and to continue design of long  term components of the Urban Ring in a fifteen mile long corridor that runs throughout the urban core and seven municipalities.  Furthermore, the committee works with public officials to advance the project, and participates in technical, policy, and financing initiatives that contribute    toward that goal. 

 

Young Leaders

Co-Chairs:      Yanni Tsipis, Colliers Meredith & Grew
                      Matt Zahler, A Better City

This dynamic group is composed of younger professionals (age 25-35) who are selected by the Board and Associate membership from ABC member organizations. These Young Leaders foster ABC’s growth with an infusion of  energy and innovative ideas. Committee activities are geared towards complementing, supplementing and supporting the activities of ABC’s Board.

 

 

 

*Zakim Bridge photo by Caroline Crockett