Architects eye Allston Esplanade with Pike redo

Boston Society of Architects members are promoting an Allston Esplanade along the Charles River as an offshoot of the Massachusetts Department of Transportations planned $260 million Mass Pike Allston interchange realignment.

A pair of Boston Society of Architects (BSA) teams developed two plans for the three-plus acres of parkland to spur MassDOT to consider the larger implications of its project beyond roadway changes once it opens up new land for redevelopment, according to architect and BSA vice president Tim Love.

Theyre both proposals that have lots of advantages and lots of interesting ideas that we think MassDOT should consider very seriously, he said. Their mission is to redesign the highway interchange. Were saying, Here are some issues we think you should think about, too.

The proposals involve relocating Soldiers Field Road away from the Charles, creating a river crossing for cyclists and pedestrians and a new MBTA station.

It was a useful exercise for us to come in and show MassDOT what kind of neighborhood could result from what theyre doing, Love said. The visions are realistic and financeable through the value of the real estate.

The interchange project is set to start in early 2017. MassDOT did not respond to Herald inquiries.

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Architects eye Allston Esplanade with Pike redo