Earlier this month, the US Department of Transportation awarded the City of Boston $1.8 million to create new community spaces in Chinatown. Here’s what we know about the “Reconnecting Chinatown” project.
The community is completing a study to add green space to the area above the highway between Shawmut Avenue + Washington Street. The location in question is also known as Parcel 21.
The study will examine future design guidelines for three other air-rights parcels from Harrison Avenue to Arlington Street — Parcels 19, 20 + 22 — which total approximately 1,750 ft.
Why is this important? There is not a lot of green space in Chinatown, which is divided by the highway. Connecting the neighborhood by adding new community spaces has been a long-time goal for local organizations.
The federal funding is expected within six months, then a local project manager can be hired for the two-year grant.
