Beacon Hill Civic Association Shares Their Neighborhood Plan with the North End

Have you ever wondered if there is a master plan? No, not that type of master plan. Rather, a plan for development, zoning, traffic, public safety, businesses and resident quality of life. There wasn’t one in Beacon Hill. So, the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) took on the task for their neighborhood and have just started printing brochures after a long, comprehensive process.

There is not a plan in the North End either (or most Boston neighborhoods), so the North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA) invited the BHCA to present their work and experience in community planning at NEWRA’s May 2011 meeting. In the video, NEWRA Vice-President Victor Brogna introduces the leaders of the BHCA to discuss the making of the Beacon Hill Master Plan and its aspirations. BHCA members presenting included Tad Stahl, Ania Camargo, Suzie Tapson, Becky Mulzer and Jeannette Herrmann.

The Neighborhood Plan Vision Statement is:

Beacon Hill is a good place to live. It is beautiful, sociable, and distinctive. It is a desirable residential neighborhood in downtown Boston. We have friendly shops and restaurants. We can walk to work and have many convenient options for traveling farther. We benefit from the persistent efforts of residents before us who built, preserved, and improved Beacon Hill. We aspire to continue to preserve and improve our neighborhood to ensure it is a community where…

• Residents enjoy a livable residential neighborhood in the middle of a vibrant city; 
• Neighbors know each other and are engaged in their community;
• The mix of residences, businesses, services, institutions, and visitors enhances residential life;
• Families of all ages and financial capacities thrive;
• Historic architecture and character are preserved while new technologies and green living are encouraged;
• Nearby development enhances downtown living.

The BHCA's slide presentation is available for download as a pdf file.

A user-friendly brochure was also a product of the BHCA’s work, entitled a Plan for the Neighborhood. Click to view a pdf file of the Neighborhood Plan Brochure.

View the video presentation on NorthEndWaterfront.com.

Download the movie