Possible park in the sky for Chinatown

Here are the highlights on a new air-rights project in Boston

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The project is one of 45 nationwide to receive funding.

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.

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Jess is based in Boston, MA and when she isn’t creating content, you’ll find her at one of the local breweries, walking her dogs on the Esplanade, or attending a concert. After graduating from the University of Florida, she moved to Columbia, SC where she worked at various nonprofit organizations + was a City Editor for COLAtoday before relocating to launch BOStoday in 2021.
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