Big Dig's plans for park called a big disappointment

By Thomas C. Palmer Jr., Globe Staff, 12/22/2002

Delays. Cost increases. Investigations. The Big Dig has its big issues.

But there are many smaller ones too, which are debated, and even decided, in relative anonymity.

The Surface Artery conundrum is only the largest issue that involves real estate. Here's another.

Discussions have simmered for months over the placement of a section of the Harborwalk and a tiny park on the South Boston side of Fort Point Channel, adjacent to land owned by Gillette Co.

Environmental and neighborhood groups have long believed that they were getting something along the lines of plans, presented to them by Big Dig officials, showing a new Mount Washington Street, running from A Street - through Gillette's property -- to the channel.

At the end, along the water and intersecting the Harborwalk, would be a park.

It was a little part of a developing overall plan to make the so-called hundred acres straddling A Street a livable community, following a long history of industrial use and the recent turmoil of Big Dig excavation.

Well, when some of the groups' representatives went to a Central Artery Environmental Oversight Committee meeting a couple of months ago, guess what. The plans had changed.

The street and the park had been moved over and were closer to a small Gillette pump building.

"There is controversy around the relocation on two points," said Valerie Burns, president of the Boston Natural Areas Network. "One, they're putting the Harborwalk not on the water side but on the back of the pump building."

The other issue is proximity to the pump house.

"There are times the pump building emits a high-pitched noise, and times when it emits a bad smell," Burns said.

Gillette and Big Dig and community officials met and met again, but there was no turning back. Gillette has given up a lot during Big Dig construction, but then the company has been handsomely repaid -- $60 million or more in overall compensation for the use of its territory while the Massachusetts Turnpike was being extended.

This battle's over.

"That's the situation, and I'd have to say it's happening -- the arrangement between Gillette and the Artery," said Burns. "You kind of have to pick your battles. We couldn't get this to change."

Minor concessions were made to the community. The sidewalk along Mount Washington was moved so it would not lead into a brick wall. Some landscaping was added.

Said Eric Kraus, a Gillette spokesman:

"We've put a lot of time and effort in trying to come up with a plausible solution. We're working to ensure the park is beautiful and functional, but not disruptive to our business operations."

Vivien Li, executive director of the Boston Harbor Association, hopes it is not a done deal.

"We do not believe that what is being proposed at this time should be called a Harborwalk," she said, "because it's not on the harbor. If they want to call it a public pathway, fine."

Li noted tht there is a large window in the pump house on the water side; she suggests the walk be constructed along the water, with a view for the public into the pump house.

"Just like at the International Cargo Port, you can look at the industrial activity," she said. "People love that.

"There's a way to balance the need for security and allowing people to better understand the operations of Gillette," said Li.

"I hope in the new year all parties can work together to get a compromise. That's my Christmas wish."

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