June 2002, by the Alliance of Boston Neighborhoods
It's time to end urban renewal and start real planning in Boston
Did you know that Boston still has its 1960s urban renewal program?
Why should we end the urban renewal program NOW?
- The 13 Urban Renewal Plans, created about 40 years ago, are about to expire.
- These Plans have been modified hundreds of times, changing their goals and impacts.
- The "blighted" conditions used to justify these plans have long since disappeared.
- Urban Renewal is still used to take private property by eminent domain, and give it to other private parties, without public purpose -- as a way to give zoning exemptions and tax breaks.
- The BRA uses Urban Renewal powers to take City land from the taxpayers ,without paying for it, and gives, sells or leases it to private developers; profits go to the BRA, not the City budget. Last year, the Hayward Parcel taking deprived the City budget of $23 million.
- The BRA is not accountable to Boston residents, or to City Council.
Why don't we have a real planning department?
The BRA absorbed our Planning Board in 1960, so that planning and zoning would not get in the way of development the City wants. We still have no city-wide plan, and Neighborhood Master Plans are powerless.
- Boston is the only American city where the Urban Renewal agency took over the Planning Board.
- Everywhere else, the renewal agency, like any other developer, is subject to review by a Planning Board .
- We have no proactive planning in Boston; we only react to projects proposed by developers. Any plans we create are changed to fit project proposals.
- The BRA created 5 zoning code loopholes that let developers ignore zoning with no legal public recourse.
- The BRA advises the Zoning Board of Appeal and the Zoning Commission--there are no checks and balances.
Does urban renewal affect your neighborhood?
Yes!
Even if there's no development in your neighborhood , you pay more taxes to make up for:
- millions in Chapter 121A urban renewal tax breaks the BRA gives developers;
- millions in City-owned land seized without payment and sold or leased by the BRA;
- millions in taxes lost to hundreds of tax-exempt BRA-owned properties
Studies show that cities with redevelopment authorities have less economic development -- and less money for public services.
More information: Redevelopment: The Unknown Government: What it is. What can be done. -- A Report to the People of California, August,1998, Second Edition, published by Municipal Officials for Redevelopment Reform (MORR), through a grant from the Fieldstead Institute, Irvine, CA.
How do we end urban renewal and start real planning?
- The BRA can't go on without the Urban Renewal Plans which are its legal basis.
- BRA will extend the Plans when they expire, unless it is blocked.
- Extension requires approval by the State Department of Housing and Community Development and Boston City Council.
What are your ideas for a Boston Planning Department?
- Watch for upcoming ABN meetings, City Council hearings, and DHCD hearings.
- Bring your ideas and take part in creating a real planning agency for Boston