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Q&A
Proposed improvements for Franklin Avenue shuttle area
1:28:58
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167 sec
Council Member Ossé raises concerns about the poor conditions around the Franklin Avenue shuttle elevated structure and inquires about potential improvements. Administration representatives discuss plans and considerations for enhancing the area.
- MTA is involved in discussions with city agencies and open to collaboration on improvements
- Proposed improvements include cleaning, repainting, and potential public art installations
- DOT is considering improvements to the street and sidewalk areas
- Lighting improvements are being considered, with DOT committed to examining and potentially repairing city-owned lighting in the area
- Challenges of coordinating between MTA-owned and city-owned areas are acknowledged
Chi A. Ossé
1:28:58
I want to move on to streetscape improvements and I know that Councilmember Hudson asked some questions in this area.
1:29:04
But some of my constituents have raised concerns about the poor conditions around the Franklin Avenue shuttle, elevated structure between Leverett's Place and Fulton Street.
1:29:13
I know MTA isn't here.
1:29:14
I know MTA is a state agency.
1:29:16
But we all work in government, and partnership should lead to solutions in cases like this.
1:29:24
Will the administration commit to improving how this area looks?
1:29:28
It's a huge concern for the block associations in that surrounding area.
1:29:32
It's dark.
1:29:34
It's rusting.
1:29:36
And I want to know if there's going to be any support, fiscal support in improving that area.
Alex Sommer
1:29:43
Thank you for that question.
1:29:44
Yeah, very familiar with the existing conditions.
1:29:46
It needs some love.
1:29:49
So MTA has been joining our conversations both with our agencies but also with City Hall and the administration.
1:29:56
They're open to working with us on this and we've been asking them for timelines and cost estimates.
1:30:01
So that's definitely in the works.
Chi A. Ossé
1:30:03
And I spoke to them about this and maybe you can include this in conversations with them.
1:30:07
There's a lot of pushback about congestion pricing, right?
1:30:10
And even though there are some benefits that have come out of it, I think it would be a really great opportunity for the city and the state to work in partnership on shining a light on any type of fiscal improvements in an area and even making a nod to congestion pricing in those cases.
1:30:26
What types of improvements are currently being considered?
Alex Sommer
1:30:32
Jonah do you want to see?
Jonah Rogoff
1:30:34
We're considering a number of improvements.
1:30:37
So those include first just cleaning up and repainting parts of the station to I think use a term they use to make aesthetic improvements.
1:30:49
And then we're also looking at opportunities for public art in different forms whether it's like a mural or banner or other medium.
1:30:59
And then with DOT we're also looking at some other improvements to the street which is part of their, or within the sidewalk I should say.
Chi A. Ossé
1:31:09
Any considerations to lighting improvements over there?
Dash Henley
1:31:15
It's a little bit tough, like you were saying, to go between what is MTA owned and what is DOT or city owned.
1:31:24
Sure.
1:31:25
But obviously understanding that doesn't mean we shouldn't be working together to figure out solutions here.
1:31:30
But DOT can look at the DOT lighting in terms of there and see if everything is as it should be, or if it's not, have that be repaired.
1:31:40
That's something that we can include in one of the commitments.
Chi A. Ossé
1:31:44
Okay.