The National Park Service is planning for the construction of a new accessible ferry landing and small pedestrian shelter at the end of Pier 1 in the Charlestown Navy Yard. The new ferry landing will replace an existing barge which is in poor repair and not accessible to individuals with disabilities. It will enhance the ability of various harbor tour boats to deliver visitors to the Navy Yard. Based on site constraints with respect to the berthing of USS CONSTITUTION and USS CASSIN YOUNG, as well as our desire to accommodate visiting ships, we have determined that the existing barge location on the southern end of Pier 1 is the best location for the new facility. The new pile-supported floating dock will measure approximately 78 x 25 feet with a set of four ramps connecting it to a fixed pier attached to Pier 1 that will be fully accessible at all tide levels. The new shelter has been designed in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Historic Preservation in a style consistent with the historic character of the Navy Yard, which is a National Historic Landmark. In keeping with environmental sustainability goals, the project features new solar-powered lighting.
As part of this project, the National Park Service is seeking an exemption to the location of the existing state harbor line, which currently extends across the end of Pier 1, to encompass the new structure so that it can be fully licensed by the state. Changing the harbor line is a state legislative process. As part of the same proposed legislation, the National Park Service will ask that the state legislature convey the land under the water between the old and new harbor line locations, and cede concurrent jurisdiction to them to allow NPS rangers to monitor the new structure and ensure visitor safety.
Please note that this project has no relationship to the proposed relocation of the MBTA harbor ferry service from Pier 4 to Pier 3.
Contact Information
If you have any questions, please contact Stephen Carlson at (617) 242-5680 or via e-mail at steve_carlson@nps.gov.