As the city of Boston evolves, new development projects, public spaces, and infrastructure investments are doing more to connect city neighborhoods and to maximize spaces for multiple public benefits. And yet, there are small pockets of high value land that serve little to no public purpose. In its current state, the Bayside Expo Center serves as a giant barrier to the Harbor without much benefit to the Dorchester and South Boston communities in which it sits. It is past time that we maximize the benefit of this area. The Dorchester Bay City (DBC) project will reimagine, reinvest in, and transform this underutilized space.

As residents and non-profit operators in Dorchester, we’ve seen first-hand the outcomes that major projects can have on a community. Revitalization spurs positive activity in our neighborhoods. It brings us together – to new restaurants, to new businesses, and to open spaces. Smart development like DBC will bring sorely needed affordable housing and services that have lagged in other areas of the city.

DBC will create thousands of new housing units and nearly $65 million to support first-time home ownership and affordable housing across our city. With nearly $36.8 million in offsite transportation contributions associated with the project, DBC will accelerate several multi-modal infrastructure projects prioritized by the community. That should mean that long-needed upgrades would finally be made to Kosciuszko Circle, Morrissey Boulevard, and the JFK MBTA Station. We hope DBC serves as a catalyst and that our elected leaders prioritize these long overdue improvements to our roads and public transit.

The shared mission of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester and the Martin Richard Foundation is to support kids and families while ensuring equitable access to the programs we offer. We have our own approved plans to construct a 75,000-square-foot youth center in the heart of Harbor Point and adjacent to DBC. Our vision remains the same as it has been – to bring the Harbor Point Community, the two abutting Boston Public Schools (BCLA/McCormack and Dever), and the surrounding neighborhoods unparalleled youth services in a first-class facility that the city will be proud of and use as a model for future community centers.

As we continue to move ahead with construction of the Dorchester Field House, we see alignment between the goals of our project and the goals of Dorchester Bay City.

Our project sees the power embodied in our city’s young people and the clear need for facilities that foster talent, create opportunities, and build for the future. The DBC project further connects kids and families to outdoor programming along the Harbor. With almost 20 acres of land, DBC improves and expands public access, creating a new 3.5-acre new waterside open space that connects the Harbor Walk to Carson Beach and builds a new 6,300-square-foot public pavilion to welcome the community.

Dorchester Bay City and the Dorchester Field House are aligned in our vision of ensuring access to the community and realize that creating space is only the beginning. Programming that is designed to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future with the brightest resource our city has – its people – is most important. We look forward to having DBC as a neighbor and as a partner in creating enriching and active experiences for our young people.

Dorchester’s Bill Richard and his family formed the Martin Richard Foundation; Bob Scannell is president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester.