Design guidelines released for Kneeland Street development

The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) has released design guidelines for the future development project at 185 Kneeland Street, a 5.5-acre site currently owned by the State of Massachusetts. The following is a link to the full BRA guidelines. A request for proposals (RFP) for development of the site will be issued later this year. The selected proposal will be required to undergo the BRA's default Planned Development Area (PDA) and Article 80 review process for large projects.

The BRA’s guidelines call for the 5.5-acre site to be subdivided into “smaller parcels and streets” so as to integrate with the surrounding streetscape. The guidelines call for tall, dense development that “comfortably relates” with the existing streetscape, setting a 125-foot height limit within 50 feet of Kneeland Street to “create a welcoming streetscape environment” but allowing for and encouraging up to a 300-foot height further back facing Interstate 93 and the gateway to downtown Boston.

New buildings should feature “dramatic, iconic” gateway design that facilitates a sense of arrival to Boston. Given the site’s proximity to Interstate 93, development should mitigate the visual impact of the surrounding highway and tunnel infrastructure and take appropriate measures to ensure safe air quality.

Facing Kneeland Street, buildings should have ground-floor retail. The guidelines also call for “wider sidewalks, bicycle accommodations, possible curbside parking, landscaping and street furniture” along Kneeland Street as well as “enhanced streetscapes” with landscaping and street furnishings throughout the project site. The guidelines call for open uses that accommodate activities including “volleyball and basketball” and the maintenance or replacement of the existing Reggie Wong Park, noting playground and “playscape” open space features as desirable.

More information about the 185 Kneeland Street project is posted below.

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