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Spanning approximately 191 acres, Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park (formerly known as the Marine Industrial Park) is a critical waterfront district in South Boston, Massachusetts. The area has long served as a hub for industrial and maritime activities, and in recent years, the City of Boston has embarked on a massive reinvention project to modernize the park, address climate resilience, and foster new economic and recreational opportunities in the area. The Marine Park Master Plan Update provides, among other measures, flood mitigation planning and redevelopment initiatives that will be led by both city agencies and private partners.
The park was established in the early 1900s and was initially designed to support Boston’s thriving port and industrial economy. The area became a mix of shipping, warehousing, and manufacturing operations over time. In 1998, the park was renamed in honor of former Boston Mayor Raymond L. Flynn, who championed public service and community development. But a storied past doesn’t prevent aging infrastructure, underutilized land, and increasing vulnerability to flooding and sea level rise caused by global warming.
The Master Plan Update works to address all of these issues. The park is in a flood-prone area, making it highly susceptible to storm surges and sea level rise. Recent climate projects indicate that much of the district could be inundated during major storms if no action is taken.
Additionally, the traditional uses of the park are no longer as dominant, so in order to attract new businesses, the plan focuses on luring a different kind of client: companies in life sciences, technology, and innovation sectors.
More broadly, growing demand in the always real estate-lite Boston area, especially in South Boston, the plan looks to provide improved public spaces, waterfront access, and recreational amenities to the area.
The comprehensive planning effort led by the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) looks to guide future development of the park while balancing industrial, commercial, and recreational needs. The plan will address land use optimization, identifying underutilized parcels for redevelopment, and encouraging mixed-use development.
Infrastructure improvements will include modernizing roads, utilities, and transportation networks to accommodate current and future needs.
And climate adaptation efforts include flood mitigation strategies like elevated building designs, green infrastructure, and shoreline protection measures.
The potential for redevelopment and economic opportunities is significant if managed well. The reinvention of the Marine Park could unlock a new chapter in its legacy. Given the location and proximity to downtown Boston and major transportation routes, attracting Boston’s best and brightest tech and life science companies is a real possibility.
SVT, a leading engineering and architectural firm, is involved in the redevelopment, focusing on sustainable design and resilient infrastructure. The project will ideally create a vibrant, mixed-use district that brings an entirely new dimension to the historical area.
The City of Boston will be a critical partner in these mammoth efforts, especially for William Epperson, the city’s deputy director for capital construction. Epperson came to his role in July 2024, having previously served as Boston Planning & Development Agency’s deputy director for capital construction, the agency shepherding the park revitalization project. Prior to that, Epperson served on the City of Boston’s Community Preservation Committee as well as the Boston Parks and Recreation Committee.
The challenges are numerous: balancing traditional industrial uses while welcoming in different kinds of business, securing the necessary public and private funding for infrastructure improvements, and navigating the red tape of any city bureaucracy will all likely be issues. But Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park has the possibility of becoming a model for sustainable urban waterfront development.
Boston’s waterfront, and the historic treasures it contains, serves as the heart of this vibrant city. Maintaining and improving the marine infrastructure to combat sea level rise is critical to preserve it for continued public enjoyment and economic growth. Foth’s full-service ports and harbors team offers comprehensive planning, design, and engineering to improve the resiliency of coastal structures and shorelines to benefit future generations in Boston and nationwide. We understand the complexities of marine structures and partner with our clients to deliver solutions – in any marine environment. We also help you secure and manage funding to make your projects possible.
