BPDA board approves over $220 million in development at Nov. 1 meeting

Nov 02, 2016

• Its approximately 12,750 square foot “Great Hall” concept, an area that, as proposed, will serve as an 18-hour per day cultural and commercial anchor.
• Its ability to achieve LEED Platinum certification, from an environmental standpoint

• The connection of the buildings by a shared glass lobby;
• The construction of a new, approximately 293,300 square foot, 12-story headquarters building that will be connected to the buildings by an overhead pedestrian bridge and GE Plaza;
• A new pedestrian walkway open to the public that will run from Necco Street to the Fort Point Channel; and
• The construction of public realm improvements, including approximately 61,490 square feet of outdoor public space, including a Harborwalk, green space, interpretive signage and amenities.

1. Community Convener: creating a compelling street-level experience open to the public that supports work-life integration to draw a steady flow of employees, GE collaborators, building guests and the public to the project site;
2. Performance Enabler: minimizing physical barriers and utilizing semi-permeable layers between spaces for greater program integration and visual connectivity between GE employees and the public; and
3. Resiliency Pioneer: committing to exploring emerging sustainable strategies that address tomorrow’s energy challenges.

• Public Realm Improvements: A unique feature of the project will be its extensive indoor and outdoor public spaces. The indoor public spaces will include work lounges, “Brilliant Labs,” planned as an educational and collaborative space for use by Boston Public School groups as well as members of the public; a bistro and café; and a public museum. Approximately 75 percent of the ground floor area of the project will be open to the public. The project will also be a catalyst for the execution of the 100-Acres Plan and provide a benchmark for future waterfront and public realm development in the City of Boston by expanding the Harborwalk from 12 to 18 feet in width, and using context-appropriate materials to rehabilitate and expand the Harborwalk and the adjacent public open spaces.
• Sustainability: As a digital industrial company, GE will bring its expertise and leadership in sustainability through partnerships, digital solutions, and new business models. Through its ecoimagination program, GE seeks to solve global challenges around energy, efficiency, Greenhouse Gas emissions and water. Predix, GE’s cloud-based platform for the industrial internet, provides a unique foundation upon which to increase energy and materials efficiencies and reduce emissions using the power of analytics. Predix applications will be applied throughout the Proposed Project. GE will also apply the new, more stringent version of the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system to the project. Other key features of the project that will make it more sustainable are the Solar Veil and the incorporation of vegetated roof areas to mitigate heat island effect, help stormwater runoff and extend the life of the roof materials. Additionally, in support of the City’s goal to not overbuild parking, and in recognition of the project site’s close proximity to local, commuter rail and bus service at nearby South Station, the project will include 30 below-grade parking spaces, and upto 150 bicycle spaces for GE employees, as well as additional public bicycle racks.
• Resiliency: Since the project is located on the Fort Point Channel, GE is utilizing strategies to ensure preparation for the effects of climate change, including sea-level rise, and ensure that the company is a leader in providing resiliency solutions for the City. The elevations of the first floors of the project will be set to at least +19.5 feet, which would provide protection against a 500-year storm event in 2075. In addition, critical mechanical and life safety/standby emergency building systems will be placed above vulnerable elevations and the stormwater infrastructure will be designed to effectively manage inland flooding, including through the use of adaptive landscaping that will be resilient against flooding and saltwater intrusion.

• As a Development Impact Project (DIP), this project will result in a total of approximately $2,402,503.80 in Housing Exaction payments to the Neighborhood Housing Trust, and approximately $481,076.90 to the Neighborhood Jobs Trust
• As a result of GE’s move to Boston, approximately 4,000 new jobs will be created in the Greater Boston area over the next 3 years. Those jobs will include permanent GE employees and employees based at GE vendors, as well as temporary construction jobs.
• In April 2016, GE announced $50 million in philanthropic commitments, to be donated over the next five years, to the Boston community. GE’s commitment includes $25 million to Boston Public Schools, $10 million to building out a diverse workforce population and $15 million to developing the next generation healthcare workforce and increasing training for specialty care.  

• New pedestrian activity along Harrison Avenue and Essex Street;
• Pedestrian access improvements including new sidewalks in and around the project site;
• Installation of Boston Police Department monitored surveillance camera(s) along the Harrison Avenue façade to provide real time video access to local law enforcement officials;
• Installation of new lighting along the building perimeter to improve visibility and pedestrian safety; and
• A commitment of up to $150,000 for the redesign and construction of Philips Square to be made available to the BPDA within six months of building permit issuance;