INDUSTRIAL INTEGRATION The waterfront district of Everett, Massachusetts is a melting pot of highly industrial activities that keep greater Boston and much of New England running. The MBTA services its subway trains there, and Distrigas of Massachusetts operates an LNG import terminal, the oldest facility of its kind in the United States. Also present is an LNG regasification plant, a natural gas power plant that supplies energy to almost 2 million homes in greater Boston, vast quantities of LNG and Exxon Mobil storage tanks stretching east to Chelsea, and the New England Produce Center - the largest distribution center in the United States, responsible for every single piece of produce in every single grocery store in all 6 states of New England. These industries are extremely critical pieces of infrastructure to the region that Boston has managed to tuck away in the forgotten towns of Everett and Chelsea, and taken up almost all of their waterfront property in doing so. These densely populated cities have very little open public space or parks. Additionally, as climate change continues and hundred-year storms occur every 20 years, and with the impending threat of sea level rise, flooding is bound to happen on site which would wreak havoc on the industries that exist there. The flood canal system allows for these floods to happen in a controlled manner, in specified wet areas, and protects the waterfront industries. By using the earth dug up from the canals to build berms alongside the river with select openings at the entrances of the canals, the water is now directed into the intentional canals to prevent it from flooding the surrounding buildings. Along both sides of the canals is a network of boardwalks, that connect to the adjacent communities, specifically the Lynde neighborhood, to provide more walking and biking paths in the much needed realm of public open space. The new wetlands amongst the canals provide lush green spaces that surround the boardwalks that not only act as flood-able land, but enhance the aesthetic of the boardwalk experience. The Lynde neighborhood, adjacent to the northwest of the industrial core of Everett, has slowly been transforming. Smaller factories and manufacturers have closed, and high-end housing and less environmentally degrading companies have moved in, like microbreweries. The construction of the new Wynn casino, proposed for the same waterfront area, is expected to continue this revitalization on a larger scale with new restaurants and retail opportunities. Because development is restricted by the heavy industry in Everett’s south-central waterfront, the canal boardwalks serve as an expansion of the Lynde into this previously cut-off area, and help fill the void of public space.
General lack of public open space in Everett
Lynde neighborhood up and coming
Heavy industry continues to inhibit development
Existing Wetland marsh areas
Integrated Neighborhood Areas that can flood
Areas that stay dry Flood wall barrier
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Flood Protection
Site Plan
People Water
Circulation Diagram
Neighborhood-Boardwalk Link Section
Mystic River
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