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S 3137

An Act providing for improved public access and climate resiliency on the Mystic River and increasing the utilization of the designated port area

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sal DiDomenico and 1 co-sponsor

Allows a small land swap within Boston’s designated port area to improve public Mystic River access and climate resilience on 425 Medford Street.

Read, rules suspended, read second and ordered to a third reading
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Bill Summary · S 3137

Summary of Bill: S.3137 (Session 194th) – Massachusetts

Main purpose

This act provides a mechanism to relocate a small portion of land within the designated port area near the Mystic River in Charlestown, Boston, to facilitate improved public access, climate resiliency, and increased utilization of the port area.

Key provisions

  • Land relocation within the designated port area:

    • The owner of record of land at 425 Medford Street (Schrafft Center LLC) may move a contiguous portion of approximately 30,943 square feet from its current location to another area on the same parcel, with the new area still within the designated port area.
    • The move is described as a “land swap” or relocation within the designated port area (DPA).

  • Reference and documentation:

    • The proposed relocation is shown on a plan titled “Exhibit Plan of Land-Maritime Area,” dated January 23, 2014, which identifies the proposed DPA relocation area.
    • The land swap plan must be recorded at the time of the land transfer.

  • Parcel specifics:

    • The parcel is identified as 425 Medford Street, Boston, MA, within Charlestown.
    • The parcel is described as approximately 839,808 square feet in total area, with about 48,965 square feet of land and water included in the described portions, per city records and land court deed documentation.

Affected parties

  • Primary party affected: Schrafft Center LLC, owner of the parcel at 425 Medford Street.
  • The relocation would occur within the designated port area, potentially impacting:
    • Public access and use of the Mystic River/DPA waterfront.
    • Planned or existing uses within the port area by other stakeholders and the city.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative steps:

    • The bill is introduced in the Senate (Senate Docket No. 3846) and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.
    • The bill’s action history shows subsequent moves between committee and chamber proceedings, including rules referrals and eventual concurrent actions.
    • Notably, the bill proceeded through standard legislative process in 2026, with the House concurrence noted later in June.

  • Timeline indicators:

    • Exhibit plan referenced is dated January 23, 2014, indicating historical context for the proposed relocation plan.
    • Final dates in the action history reflect 2026 committee and chamber actions, including house concurrence as of June 18, 2026.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Public access and resiliency:

    • By enabling land relocation within the port area, the bill aims to improve public access to the Mystic River waterfront and enhance climate resiliency planning and implementation in the port area.

  • Designated port area utilization:

    • The measure is framed to support increased utilization of the designated port area, potentially enabling better alignment of land use with public access, flood/sea-level rise mitigation, and waterfront planning objectives.

  • Regulatory and record-keeping effects:

    • Requires execution of the land swap with proper recording of the land plan at the registry, ensuring legal clarity and public record integrity.

Conclusion

S.3137 facilitates a targeted land relocation within Boston’s designated port area to advance improved public access to the Mystic River and bolster climate resiliency, while promoting greater utilization of the port area. The change is limited to a specific parcel (425 Medford Street) and follows formal land-use documentation and recording requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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