Street Talk: How Overpasses Are So 1950’s

Got this in the email from Livable Streets, always a good time at these things.

StreetTalk: How overpasses are so 1950’s co-sponsored by On the Move Coalition   Wednesday, June 27th 7:00-9:00pm @ Brickbottom Artists Building, 1 Fitchburg Street, Somerville, MA Open to the public-suggested $5-$10 donation Beverages provided by Harpoon Brewery  [email protected]   Overpasses are becoming a thing of the past. The Casey Overpass in Jamaica Plain, Sullivan Square Overpass in Charlestown, and overpasses across the country are coming down and city streets are being redesigned. Will the McCarthy Overpass in Somerville become the next overpass to come down? Or will MassDOT spend $11 Will MassDOT keep this 1950’s structure or design the road for the future? million to repair the structure which acts a barrier for you to get where you want to go? Come to Brickbottom to get the latest news on the McCarthy Overpass project, the Remove McGrath Campaign, and hear how other cities are removing their overpasses. How has the McCarthy Overpass affected the Environmental Justice communities along the McGrath corridor? What is the timeline of this project?   Be part of the discussion, and then take action -Call and/or email your state reps -Sign a postcard to MassDOT Secretary Davey and Somerville Mayor Curtatone -Get involved with the campaign and become and an Ambassador   *Spanish translation will be available* traducción en español disponible Hope to see you on the 27th,   Kara Oberg Program Coordinator   PS-Help spread the word, stay involved, whether you can make it to the event or not,Follow #RemoveMcGrath/ Check out www.livablestreets.info/project/remove-mcgrath/ Invite friends on Facebook here>>   On the Move (OTM) is a coalition of community based organizations in greater Boston that came together in 2000 to advocate for transportation justice.www.bostononthemove.org LivableStreets Alliance is your advocate for a better balance of walking, biking and transit with the automobile. www.livablestreets.info

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Somerville Told To Wait For Overpass To Come Down

From livable streets (got this a couple days ago, so its a little out of date, but still worth reading)

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Last night the residents of Greater Boston spoke out and their voices wereunanimous-“Don’t repair McGrath Highway-remove it now!”   Hundreds participated in the public meeting, speaking out passionately, and signing LivableStreets postcards telling us what they’d rather see instead of the McGrath Highway.   “Instead of McGrath I’d like to see: a thriving city street!”   MassDOT announced yesterday that they now agree, the overpass will be removed! But officials insist it will not happen until at least 2022, and in the meantime they want to spend $11 million to repair it. 2022?! This timeline is unacceptable, as is spending $11 million in taxpayer dollars on a structure that officials agree should be torn down. LivableStreets will continue to put pressure on MassDOT to commit to a shorter timeline. “It will take you to move this forward,” said Frank DePaola, MassDOT Highway Administrator. Administrator DePaola is right: YOU can make this happen-Become a member of LivableStreets Alliance. LivableStreets has been working day and night on the Remove McGrath Campaign and with your support we can strengthen the campaign. Your membership will get us that much closer to removing the overpass and building livable communities Check out more photos from last night. along the McGrath Highway corridor.   “I’ve walked, biked, taken transit and driven around McGrath and no matter what mode I use, I feel unsafe.”-Somerville resident   Last night’s meeting was just the first step in taking down the McGrath Highway, so don’t worry if you were unable to make it. Add your voice to the campaign and let MassDOT know you want to Remove McGrath.    Together we can make the McGrath corridor a better place to live, work and play!  Sincerely,  Kara Oberg                Steven Nutter                           Jackie Douglas   Program Coordinator    Advocacy Committee Member      Executive Director

Kara Oberg Program Coordinator E: [email protected] P: 617.621.1746 W:www.LivableStreets.info

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Street Talk: Boston Under After Hours

Got this in the email, looks like a good talk

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co-sponsored by On the Move Coalition
Thursday, March 29 6:00pm-9:00pm

@Central Square Theater 450 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge
Tickets: $6.00 Buy here>>

6:00pm-doors open-food/drinks
6:30pm-documentary screening
7:15pm-discussion
8:00-9:00pm-social hour

We’ve all asked the age ol’ question, “Why doesn’t the T stay open later?” Now you can find out why.

Come watch the Boston Under After Hours documentary about what happens after the T shuts down, and the MBTA employees who work 1:30am-5:00am to make the system run smoothly the following day. With current fare increases and service cuts pending, this question is even more relevant. Why not keep the T open longer for more revenue? What can you do to keep the T going? Get insight in to the inter-workings of the T, and the current MBTA’s financial situation and service plan.

Discussion with filmmakers, MBTA, and On The Move following the film. Stay for a social hour afterwards to meet and chat with filmmakers and the stars of the film. 

Popcorn and snacks provided and $2 Harpoon.

Watch film trailer here>>

This event is hosted by LivableStreets Alliance and sponsored by On the Move Coalition.

On the Move (OTM) is a coalition of nine community based organizations in greater Boston, including LivableStreets, that came together in 2002 to advocate for transportation justice. www.bostononthemove.org

LivableStreets Alliance is your advocate for a balance of biking, walking, and transit with automobiles—creating safe streets and livable communities—making the Boston region a better place to live, work, and play. www.livablestreets.info

For more information>> 617.621.1746/ [email protected]/ www.livablestreets.info
Tweet and post #BostonUnder on Facebook for chance to win 2 free tickets!

(MBTA tunnel photo provided by Nicolaur Czarnecki of the METRO)

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Street Talk: Will Our River Crossing Be Bridges Or Barriers?

by LivableStreets board members Ken Kruckemeyer, Steve Miller & Charlie Denison

Tues, Nov 9, 7:00-9:00 pm
@ LivableStreets office, 100 Sidney St, Cambridge [map… ]

Open to the public. $5-$10 suggested donation.

Bridges connect communities, are vital links in our transportation network, and carry all users. Currently many of our bridges discourage walking and bicycling due to lack of sidewalks and bicycling facilities, speeding cars, dangerous on/off intersections, and poor connections to parklands. Today we have a once in a lifetime opportunity to redesign them to encourage all modes of transportation to support a vibrant urban life, and mobility for all people to live, work, and play. What we do in the next couple of years will effect generations to come.

Why now? The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is overseeing the reconstruction of the Craigie, Longfellow, BU, Anderson, River St, and Western Ave bridges over the next six years as part of the State’s $3 billion Accelerated Bridge Program (ABP).

Come to the StreetTalk to learn about LivableStreets efforts to create better bridges in our region – from vision to implementation. See examples of bridges from around the world, discuss the impact of getting the bridges right today for future generations to come, and learn how to get involved!

For more information about LivableStreets Better Bridge Campaign, click here
Questions regarding the StreetTalk? [email protected] / 617-621-1746

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Street Talk: Design Advocacy, Designing For How We Move Through Space

Design Advocacy: Designing for how we move through space
by Shauna Gillies-Smith, landscape architect / Mark Pasnik, architect
Thurs, Nov 12, 7-9 pm
@ LivableStreets office, 100 Sidney St, Cambridge [ map…]

What do architects, landscape architects, and transportation planners have in common? What role does design have in transportation advocacy? Come investigate the movement of people and the ability of designed spaces to support and influence. See how architecture and landscape architecture can make cities more socially and environmentally sustainable.

Shauna Gillies-Smith ASLA, LEED AP will highlight landscape architecture and public art projects where the design and pedestrian experience determined the space. Shauna is principal of Ground Inc., a landscape architecture firm. Trained first as an architect and urban designer, her shift to landscape practice was motivated by the desire to reveal the potentials of surprise and pleasure in the urban experience.

Mark Pasnik RA, LEED AP will focus on a project that engaged students with alternative transportation ideals, but fulfilled them through facility design rather than traditional advocacy. Mark is the founding principal of over,under, a multidisciplinary design firm located in Boston’s South End, and director of pinkcomma gallery, which showcases contemporary design work from the Boston area.

“We shape our environment and thereafter our environment shapes us.” (Adaptation of a Winston Churchill quote)

Co-hosted by the Boston Society of Architects

StreetTalks are open to the public, $5 suggested donation, beer/sodas provided compliments of Harpoon Brewery and delivered thanks to MetroPed. Sponsored by LivableStreets Alliance. For more information, click here.

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