Catherine Carlock’s article “Coast Guard building downtown could go up for sale’’ (Business, May 23) demonstrates the lack of clarity around what can be developed on the Boston waterfront and should serve as a reminder that there is no Municipal Harbor Plan in place, which creates confusion, wastes time and resources, and leaves entirely too much room for interpretation.
The Coast Guard Building is an important link in the Wharf District climate resilience strategy, and its prime location, adjacent to the James Hook & Co. lobster site, means it has the potential to be an anchor property in the area if developed responsibly.
We need a robust public conversation about what is appropriate, particularly relative to height, lot coverage, and resilience connectivity between this and all the other properties along that section of the harbor. We encourage the city to restart discussions that will lead to a new Municipal Harbor Plan, to assure us all that Boston’s public and private infrastructure will be protected and our waterfront will remain a world-class destination.
Marc Margulies
President
Wharf District Council
Boston
The writer is a fellow of the American Institute of Architects. The council is a nonprofit neighborhood organization.
