News Release

National Park Service Publishes Environmental Assessment for Charlestown Navy Yard Master Development Strategy

Greg M. Cooper Photography

Aerial photograph captures the land, water, ships, and structures present in Charlestown Navy Yard of Charlestown, Massachusetts. Aerial Photograph of Charlestown Navy Yard

News Release Date: January 4, 2023

Contact: Superintendent's Office, 617-242-5644

The National Park Service (NPS) has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) to evaluate a proposal to construct a Gateway Center, combining the existing USS Constitution Museum and NPS visitor center into a consolidated facility at the primary entrance to the Charlestown Navy Yard (CNY), on the site of the Hoosac Stores Building adjacent to Gate 1. NPS is also proposing to replace Building 109 (on Pier 1) with an open frame structure providing a centrally located area for visitor orientation and programming.

These two actions are critical components of implementing Boston National Historical Park's Master Development Strategy for the CNY. Three alternatives are analyzed in this EA: a no-action alternative and two action alternatives. A copy of this document can be found on the NPS PEPC (Planning, Environment & Public Comment) web site .

The NPS invites the public to join a virtual public meeting via Zoom to discuss the EA on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at 6:30 pm. Please register in advance for this meeting:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYscuyurzgrGtSPflOtK8jnQSqt0SS917Tv

 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Comments on the environmental assessment will be taken throughout a 30-day public comment period ending on February 3, 2023, either through the PEPC site or by mail to:

CNY Master Development Plan Project
Boston National Historical Park
Attn: Superintendent Michael Creasey
21 Second Ave
Charlestown, MA 02129

The NPS has also prepared several online features exploring the work the Navy Yard Partnership has undertaken over the past several years to develop this Master Development Strategy, as well as the history of the Hoosac Building that currently sits on the site of the proposed Gateway Center. Learn more on our Charlestown Navy Yard Reactivation page or use the links below.

How did we get here? The Planning Process, 2017-Present:

StoryMap:

The Gateway Center Planning Process

StoryMap:

The History of the Hoosac Building

The National Parks of Boston is a collection of three National Park Service sites – Boston National Historical Park, Boston African American National Historic Site, and Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park. Established by individual legislation and for designated purposes, the three units have come together under a unified organizational umbrella to collaborate in ways that celebrate our cultural heritage, reconnect people to history and nature, and provide outdoor recreation opportunities on land and on the water. For more information, visit: www.nps.gov/bost, www.nps.gov/boaf, and www.bostonharborislands.org.