Airport Edge Buffer Project Planned for Neptune Road
Interpretive Display to Depict Neighborhoods Historic Significance

The East Boston community and Massport are one step closer to a fourth airport edge buffer that will include an Interpretive Display depicting the Neptune Road neighborhood and the role it played in the development of Boston Logan International Airport.

The Interpretative Display will be developed in accordance with National Park Service standards for permanent outdoor interpretative signage and will address historic themes using text, photographic images, and maps. The display will include,

The development of the Neptune Road neighborhood and Wood Island Park
The public debate of the Massport property acquisition and demolition of the Neptune Road neighborhood and Wood Island Park
Massport's creation of public parks and airport edge buffers in East Boston through civic engagement and public participation.

The buffer will be located partly on the one acre former site of 18 Neptune Road, a colonial revival-inspired three-decker residence constructed in 1910 and designed by William Keough, a designer of numerous East Boston residences between 1896 and the early 1900s. Massport purchased 18 Neptune Road in 2007 from the estate of Americo Venti.

After consulting closely with East Boston residents, the Massachusetts Historical Commission, the Boston Landmarks Commission, and the Boston Preservation Alliance regarding the disposition of the 18 Neptune Road property, Massport proposed to create and maintain the interpretative display to showcase the historical significance of the neighborhood and the role the area played in the development of Boston Logan International Airport.

The Airport Edge Buffer Program returns open space to the East Boston community. With the collaboration of our neighbors and their elected representatives Massport can look forward to designing a community asset that will benefit East Boston for years to come,said Massport's Director of External Affairs Thomas J. Butler.

Airport edge buffers are passive recreation areas intended to provide neighborhoods located in close proximity to Logan Airport with quality open spaces. Massport has committed to develop four airport edge buffers at various East Boston sites. To date Massport has constructed airport edge buffers at Bayswater Street, Phase I Maverick Street at the perimeter of Logan's Southwest Service Area, and the Navy Fuel Pier site.

Massport has a long history of promoting open space initiatives in East Boston dating back to 1979 when Massport donated 149 acres of Belle Isle Marsh to the Commonwealth for preservation. Massport also constructed the Al Festa Little League Field in 1992, which is a state-of-the-art youth baseball facility located at Curtis and Horace Streets. Most notably, Massport spent $17 million dollars in 1996 to construct the 6.5 acres East Boston Piers Park.

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