August 19, 2010

Patrick Signs Hart Legislation to Allow Public Docks and Programming on the Fort Point Channel

Governor Deval Patrick signed the Harbor Line Exemption legislation on August 3, 2010 as part of the Watersheet Activation Plan envisioned by Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Friends of Fort Point Channel, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, The Boston Harbor Association, and the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA). 

The Harbor Line Exemption legislation, originally filed by Senator Jack Hart of South Boston and designed to improve public access to the Channel through boating programs and touch and go docks, will continue the Mayor's mission to transform the fifty acre land-and-water Fort Point area into Boston's next great public space, the "Boston Common on the water."   

"The passage of this bill will have a direct impact on my district as well as visitors from Greater Boston, the Commonwealth and beyond.  People will have greater access to our beautiful Boston Waterfront and all it has to offer" said Senator Jack Hart.  "I am happy to work with the Mayor, my friends at Save the Harbor Save the Bay, the Friends of Fort Point Channel, and The Boston Harbor Association to succeed in passing this legislation."

"This is great news for the future of our waterfront. The passage of this legislation will continue to allow us to fulfill our vision," Mayor Thomas M. Menino said.  "Improved public access along the Channel and additional programming for our emerging Innovation District is so important for residents, workers and visitors alike.  I want to thank Senator Hart for filing the legislation.  I also want to thank the Boston Redevelopment
Authority for its pioneering form of city master planning.  Traditionally, the BRA works with communities to conduct land use planning, but this was the first time they created a vision for a body of water." 

"The passage of the Harbor Line Exemption legislation marks another milestone in our plan to realize the Mayor's vision for the South Boston waterfront," said James E. Rooney, president of the Friends of Fort Point Channel board of directors and executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA).  "The Fort Point Channel's unique blend of modern and historic characteristics makes it an important part of
Boston's evolving culture.  By adding more public access to the channel and water-based connectivity to its abutting neighborhoods, we can greatly enhance the attractiveness of the Waterfront District as a special place to live and visit."

The BRA's award-winning Watersheet Activation Plan is a dynamic vision of recreational and cultural activity promoted through diverse year-round programming, both sponsored and managed by the Friends of Fort Point Channel. Since its original publication in 2004, The Friends of Fort Point Channel have been implementing portions of Watersheet Activation Plan through frequently scheduled events such as synchronized sailing and floating public art designed by members of the Fort Point Arts Community.  

"The legislation allows the completion of the Watersheet Activation Plan, which was a collective process with residents, nonprofits, landowners and the City of Boston.  As a group working together to provide the public access to the Channel, we are excited to begin programming the Channel and making it a resource for those who live, work and visit the City of Boston", Danielle Pillion, Executive Director of Friends of Fort Point Channel.

Friends of Fort Point Channel is a nonprofit organization committed to making the Fort Point Channel, situated between the Financial District and the South Boston Waterfront, an exciting and welcoming destination for all of Boston's residents, workforce and visitors. For more information about Friends of Fort Point Channel, please visit http://www.FriendsofFortPointChannel.org