The Future of Widett Circle
September 15, 2015
Now that Boston’s bid for the 2024 summer Olympics has been withdrawn, many are wondering what will become of some of the intriguing proposals put forward by Boston 2024 and its partners in shaping the bid. One of the most discussed proposals was the redevelopment of Widett Circle. Mayor Walsh has expressed interest in continuing to explore that possibility. In its revised bid, Boston 2024 outlined projected benefits of the potential redevelopment as follows:
- Increased tax revenues to the City of Boston from approximately $857,000 annual revenue today to $7.3 million annual in 2030, $26.9 million annual in 2040, $64.0 million annual in 2050 and $362.0 million annual in 2080
- 4,000 new units of mixed-income housing, including 520 affordable units
- 15 acres of permanent new open space
While questions were put forward by the Brattle Group recently regarding the viability of this initiative, it is certainly worthy of discussion.
To that end, ABC is pleased to host Tom Alperin, President of National Development, for our next Land Development Committee meeting. Tom was a co-chair of the Boston 2024 master planning committee and played a key role in crafting the bid’s development proposals. Tom will lead a presentation and discussion with ABC members regarding the future development potential of Widett Circle absent the Olympics.
