Marina Bay (Quincy, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Marina Bay is a unique neighborhood in Quincy, Massachusetts, where people can live, work, and enjoy themselves. It's a type of place called a mixed-use development, meaning it has different kinds of buildings all together. You'll find homes like condominiums and apartments, along with offices, many restaurants, and even a craft brewery. There's also a large marina for boats and a fun seaside boardwalk. Marina Bay is located on the Squantum Peninsula, right where the Neponset River flows into Dorchester Bay in Boston Harbor. Many people live here, with numbers reported between 1,300 and 2,000 residents.
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History of Marina Bay
Marina Bay is built on a very interesting historical spot. It used to be the site of a factory called the Victory Destroyer Plant and a naval airfield named Naval Air Station Squantum. This airfield was closed in 1954.
After the naval base closed, the land was sold in 1956. A company called Boston Edison bought the 600-acre (2.4 km2) property. Boston Edison was a major company that provided electricity in eastern Massachusetts. People thought the company might build a power plant there, maybe even a nuclear power plant. However, Boston Edison did not build a plant. Instead, they rented out the land. In the 1960s, a large marina was set up on the site, using the old naval air base's main hangar as its building.
Building a New Community
In the 1980s, a company called Boston Harbor Marina Inc. became interested in developing the land into a mixed-use area. Two developers from Quincy, William and Peter O'Connell, led a group that gained support for the project. The city of Quincy finally approved the plan in 1985. Construction began and continued for several years.
Challenges and Success
However, a tough economic time, known as the recession of the early 1990s, stopped the building work. The O'Connells faced financial difficulties and had to declare bankruptcy. Even so, the development continued under new management, with the O'Connells still involved after the property changed hands. During the 1990s and beyond, Marina Bay became a very popular place. Many companies and city professionals wanted to be there. The state of Massachusetts has even called it a great example of "traditional neighborhood development," which is part of a bigger idea called New Urbanism.
Community Concerns and Solutions
The development of Marina Bay has had some disagreements. When it was first planned, people living in the nearby Squantum neighborhood were worried about traffic congestion and noise pollution. They tried to stop it, but the project went ahead. Later, environmental groups successfully stopped the complex from expanding into a wetlands area. This area was important as a bird sanctuary. They fought for five years, and the battle ended in 2002.
Dealing with Noise
Another ongoing issue has been noise from a large entertainment venue. This place has changed names over the years, from WaterWorks to Marina Bay Beach Club, and then Ocean Club. The loud music has caused complaints from people living far away, even across Dorchester Bay in the Boston neighborhood of Savin Hill. This has led to continued discussions and efforts to find solutions.
Marina Bay's Unique Identity
Marina Bay is not an official city on its own. Unlike other neighborhoods in Quincy, it's not yet listed in the United States Geological Survey database of named places. However, it gained some fame in 2004.
A Moment in the Spotlight
During a nationally televised NFL playoffs broadcast, New England Patriots football player Willie McGinest was interviewed at his home. The TV screen showed his location as "Marina Bay, Massachusetts." This caught the attention of many people. Even though the United States Postal Service doesn't officially recognize "Marina Bay" as a mailing address (you have to use Quincy, North Quincy, or Squantum, MA, for the 02171 ZIP code), the broadcast made people notice. Soon after, the Boston Globe newspaper published a story about how successful Marina Bay was and how popular it had become, especially among athletes and local celebrities.
