The plan, which focuses on the eight parcels on seven acres that are designated open space according to the Article 49 zoning code, proposes a park for the North end of the city, a string of connecting parks in the middle along the Wharf District and a park in the Chinatown District. A new thoroughfare will bracket the parks. The cost of the plan will reportedly be $860,000.

According to Fred Yalouris, director of architecture and urban design for the Central Artery Tunnel Project, there is one parcel--parcel 18--that was supposed to be open space on which the plan recommends building a museum. Because the environmental certificate and the zoning code designate this parcel as open space it is unclear whether building will be allowed.

The plan indicates that all the old east/west cross streets that were blocked off by the Big Dig will be recreated. Yalouris emphasizes that the plan is a set of guidelines--the Tunnel Project will start hiring designers this summer. There will be three design contracts--one for the North end, one for the Wharf District and one for Chinatown. Work will start on the design by spring of 2002.