Boston.com / Beyond The Big Dig / The Parcels

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About this project

What happens to the ribbon of land being created by the depression of the Central Artery may be the most important development decision to face Boston in a generation.

A national panel of experts in governance, landscape architecture, and design offers recommendations on designing, building, and operating the Rose Kennedy Greenway. | Go |

Residents dream big

A pair of public forums dubbed "Community Conversations" resulted in dozens of innovative ideas for the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Check out stories, photos, and the ideas themselves. | Go |

About the land

The Central Artery land weaves nearly continuously from Chinatown to North Station, but its two dozen individual parcels differ considerably in character and potential use. Here's a look. | Go |

Lessons from the world

Boston is unique, but the issues involved in reclaiming Central Artery land are not. A series of MIT case studies looks at lessons from similar projects around the world. | Go |

Timeline

The first shots in the war over Central Artery land were fired in the 1980s. Where did the time go? | Go|

Opinion

Read the thoughts of key local players and some of the nation's leading experts on public policy and urban design. | Go |

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CHINATOWN/LEATHER DISTRICT

Parcel 23D map

Parcel 23D

Area: 28,500 square feet, plus 4,400 square foot vest pocket park square feet (0.75 acres)

Bordered by: This parcel contains small areas of land in a strip bounded in part by Purchase Street, Beach Street, Essex Street, Kneeland Street and Summer Street.

Master plan calls for: Passive green space, areas for small children, and opportunities for social gatherings.

Zoning: Urban Open Space Plaza Subdistrict. Only open space uses are allowed.

Notes: This area is adjacent to the landmark Chinatown gate. Zoning does not allow buildings on this parcel, which would be much-needed open space in the Chinatown/Leather District area. The design of the parcel would have to take into consideration several unsightly adjacent parking lots, though the master plan notes those are "probably not long term uses."

Parcel 22 | Parcel 1