Greetings,
We would first like to thank the many community members and neighbors who have
participated in the Pier 5 disposition process to date. Following the community engagement
meeting on April 30, staff of the BPDA (who are now staff of the Planning Department) began
actively drafting a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the disposition of Pier 5. Our goal,
informed by the public process, is to create a resilient and accessible destination that
provides for considerable public space and educational opportunities for all.
We would like to clarify a few points that we have heard from community members:

• If a proponent is awarded tentative designation for the site, the BPDA is expected to
  commit $7-8 million for Pier 5’s redevelopment, reconstruction, or demolition. The
  anticipated investment will be informed by the proposed program of the selected
  partner. Any additional costs associated with the redevelopment, reconstruction, or
  demolition will be the responsibility of the designated party.
• Built structures are not explicitly required or prohibited in RFP responses; we will be
  evaluating any proposal we receive based on its responsiveness to the RFP criteria
  and any applicable regulatory frameworks. Submissions that include residential uses
  on the site will not be considered.
• Overall, while all submitted and complete proposals in conformance with RFP
  requirements will be presented to the community, the evaluation and designation
  recommendation will consider the proposal that is most highly advantageous against
  the aforementioned guidelines.
  The following information includes core components of the draft RFP for public review. We
  will be opening a comment period from July 5, 2024 to July 19, 2024 to receive any additional
  feedback on this RFP content. Following the comment period closure, we will make any
  necessary edits, seek Board authorization to release the RFP, and then release the RFP
  package.
  We welcome any comments you may have on this RFP draft language. If you have any
  questions, please email Natalie Deduck at natalie.deduck@boston.gov.
  Thank you for your commitment to helping us improve Pier 5, Charlestown and the City of
  Boston.
  Real Estate Division
  THE FOLLOWING IS DRAFT TEXT PROPOSED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REQUEST FOR
  PROPOSALS FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF PIER 5 IN THE CHARLESTOWN NAVY YARD.
  RFP PURPOSE
  The BPDA seeks to convey Pier 5 in the Charlestown Navy Yard (“Property”) to allow the
  development of open space, active and passive recreational uses, civic and cultural facilities,
  and water-dependent uses. The RFP process is being managed by Planning Department staff
  on behalf of the BPDA. Proposals will be subject to review and approval by the City and the
  BPDA and subject to the approval of the BPDA Board.
  SITE DESCRIPTION AND PLANNING AND ZONING CONTEXT
  The Property, Assessing Parcel 02-03505-600, consists of a pier of approximately 83,000
  square feet and a watersheet of approximately 75,000 square feet.
• Planning and Zoning
  o Pier 5 and the larger context of the Charlestown Naval Shipyard/Charlestown
  Navy Yard (CNY) are within the study area of several local planning initiatives
  launched. Past and current plans for the area that focus on Pier 5 include:
  ▪ PLAN: Charlestown (2023) identifies the production of open space to
  keep pace with population growth as a priority for the neighborhood.
  ▪ Boston Naval Shipyard Charlestown Planning and Development
  Program (1975)
  ▪ Design Guidelines: New Development Area Boston Naval Shipyard at
  Charlestown (1978)
  ▪ Charlestown Navy Yard Master Plan for the Yard’s End (1990)
  ▪ City of Boston Harborpark Municipal Harbor Plan (1990)
  ▪ Waterfront Activation Network Plan for the Charlestown Navy Yard
  (2007)
  ▪ Climate Ready Boston: Coastal Resilience Solutions for East Boston and
  Charlestown (2022)
  o Projects must also adhere to the regulations on waterfront development set
  forth by the Massachusetts Public Waterfront Act (Chapter 91). Per Chapter 91,
  the proposed project should not limit future water-dependent use on site.
  Proposals should prioritize water-dependent and open space uses for the Pier.
  Water-dependent uses are classified in the Massachusetts Waterways
  Regulation per 310 CMR 9.12(2) Determination of Water-dependency.
  o For zoning purposes, the Property is situated within the Harborpark:
  Charlestown Waterfront Zoning District, in the Charlestown Navy Yard
  Subdistrict, as shown on Map 2B/2C of the Boston Zoning Maps.
  ▪ The Property is within the Coastal Flood Resilience Overlay District
  (CFROD). Proposals for properties within this overlay district are
  subject to the regulations set forth in Article 25A of the Zoning Code,
  and should adhere to the Coastal Flood Resilience Design Guidelines.
  DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN GUIDELINES
• Development Objectives
  o Diversity and Inclusion:
  ▪ Proposals should provide opportunities for diversity and inclusion,
  wealth creation and workforce participation for businesses and
  individuals who have historically been underrepresented in real estate
  development.
  o Waterfront Access and Education
  ▪ Proposals should recognize and celebrate the waterfront as a public
  asset
  ▪ Proposals should prioritize waterfront programming, infrastructure,
  continuous access, and compatible uses
  ▪ Examples of some possible waterfront programs could include
  but are not limited to sailing, kayaking, boating, fishing, and
  festivals
  o Public/Open Space and Cultural Destination
  ▪ Proposals should prioritize creating progressive, inclusive, accessible
  amenities and spaces
  ▪ Examples of specific public amenities, besides those listed
  elsewhere in this RFP, could include but are not limited to public
  art, pedestrian walkways, playgrounds, benches, picnic tables
  and community event space.
  ▪ Proposals are encouraged to consider designs that support
  connections to the Harborwalk and Pier 4 that centers views of the City
  and the Harbor.
  o Coastal Resilience
  ▪ Proposals should prioritize the City’s goals for sustainable, resilient,
  and healthy new construction.
  ▪ Proposals should follow/comply with the recommendations from the
  Coastal Resilience Solutions for Charlestown Phase II and Flood
  Resilience Planning, Feasibility and Design Study for the Charlestown
  Navy Yard which will commence in 2024.
  ▪ Any proposed structures will need to be designed according to Article
  25A, regardless of scale. Proposals should also conduct site-specific
  coastal flood risk modeling utilizing the Massachusetts Coastal Flood
  Risk Model (MCFRM), and at a minimum, new proposed public realm
  including public access (Harborwalk) shall be designed to be elevated
  above 2070 astronomical high tides to maintain public access in the
  future.
  ▪ Proposals should incorporate green infrastructure to the extent
  feasible, to support stormwater management, reduced heat island
  effect, and ecosystem benefits.
  o Accessory Economic Development
  ▪ Proposals should incorporate economic development opportunities,
  focusing particularly on fostering growth opportunities for small
  businesses, local artists within the community, and non-profit or public
  service organizations.
  ▪ Structures may be proposed assuming they are in compliance with all
  regulations and further advance the goals of the RFP.
  ▪ All economic development opportunities in proposals should
  seamlessly blend with the above 4 goals.
• Design Guidelines
  The urban design guidelines encourage exceptional designs and include quality and
  creative contributions to the public realm. Key urban design guidelines in proposals
  should specify the following that align with current regulations and planning efforts.
  o Architectural Design
  ▪ The form of new construction shall create desirable year-round
  conditions of sun and shade for adjacent buildings, open spaces,
  streets, and sidewalks.
  ▪ The design shall be constructed of materials that are compatible with
  those found in the existing CNY neighborhood.
  o Access, Circulation, Connectivity, and Continuity
  ▪ The design shall provide public access to the waterfront as required by
  the Harborpark Plan, which connects to the existing landward
  Harborwalk.
  ▪ The design shall incorporate the principles of universal design to
  support equitable use by a diverse user group.
  o Open Space and Public Realm
  ▪ The site shall be comprised of fifty-one percent minimum open space.
  ▪ At least 40% of the first floor of any built structures shall be devoted to
  facilities of public accommodation.
  ▪ Public open spaces should accommodate gathering spaces at a variety
  of scales, to support social interaction and community building as well
  as spaces for solitary respite.
  ▪ Open spaces should incorporate canopy trees in support of benefits
  including shade, stormwater management, habitat, and carbon
  sequestration.
  ▪ Plantings shall be tolerant of coast conditions including wind, saltwater
  spray, and inundation during storm events.
  o Climate Resilience and Sustainability Guidelines
  ▪ Proposed projects should support the community and City of Boston’s
  Carbon Free, Climate Resilient, and Healthy Community goals including
  the 2019 Carbon Free Boston report. See Article 37 Green Building and
  Climate Resiliency Guidelines for additional information.
  o Structures Design Guidelines
  ▪ Any built structures on the site should be in service of the Development
  Objectives, which prioritize public amenities, water-related
  programming, and coastal resilience. Any structure design will be
  considered more highly advantageous if the height is constrained to a
  maximum of 35’.
  DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION PLAN
  The Planning Department is strongly committed to ensuring that the disposition of BPDA
  properties, including this Property, provide opportunities for diversity and inclusion,
  wealth-creation, and workforce participation for businesses and individuals who have
  historically been underrepresented in real estate development. The Diversity and Inclusion
  Plan must discuss why it is specific, realistic, executable, and impactful. The Diversity and
  Inclusion Plan evaluation criterion shall comprise 25% of the comparative evaluation of each
  proposal submitted.
  EVALUATION CRITERIA
• Development Program and Regulatory and Planning Alignment
  o This criterion assesses the extent to which the proposed project’s
  development program, vision and aspirations as presented: (1) is detailed
  and realistic in addressing the RFP’s Development Objectives for the
  Property while also creative (2) is accessible for people of all ages and
  abilities (3) is consistent with applicable zoning and regulatory restrictions
  (4) aligns with applicable planning and reports and (5) provides long term
  maintenance.
• Exceptional Design and Alignment with Public Realm
  o This criterion assesses the extent to which the proposed design and plan:
  (1) is thorough in addressing the design guidelines for the Property (2)
  provides quality, innovative and contextual designs that achieve all of the
  Development Objectives and Guidelines (3) includes the use of high quality
  and durable materials and (4) contributes to the public realm.
• Demonstration of the Ability to Execute the Project and Finance Plan as Presented
  o The purpose of this criterion is to: (1) assess the extent to which proposals
  are able to demonstrate the qualifications of the development team to
  deliver a quality project that is able to be developed as presented and on
  time, based upon the team’s professional credentials and experience
  completing projects similar to the one proposed and (2) evaluate the
  relative strength of the proponent’s financial sources, overall viability of
  the financial plan and proponents experience with financing similar
  projects.
• Coastal and Climate Resiliency
  o This criterion assesses the extent to which a proposal’s: (1) plan aligns with
  current coastal resiliency efforts in the CNY (2) plan can adapt to future
  planning efforts (3) plan meets or exceeds sustainability and energy
  standards and (4) development team is willing to work with other entities
  surrounding this topic
• Diversity Equity and Inclusion (25% weight)
  o This criterion evaluates the comprehensiveness of the proponent’s
  Diversity Equity and Inclusion Plan for creating increased opportunities for
  people of color, women, and M/WBEs to participate in the development of
  the Property, including specific strategies to achieve maximum
  participation by people of color, women, and M/WBEs in predevelopment, construction, and operations. The Diversity Equity and
  Inclusion Plan should be specific, realistic and executable.
  Overall, this request for proposals seeks innovative solutions that prioritize public amenities,
  creativity, and diversity of experience, ensuring inclusion and accessibility for all. Proposals
  should integrate water-related activities and emphasize coastal resiliency measures,
  safeguarding these amenities for future generations. The goal is to foster a sustainable
  development that enriches our community while mitigating environmental risks.