BHN’s CEO and President, Kathy Abbott and Board Chair, Kishore Varanasi presented 2025 Onboard Award to MBTA COO Ryan Coholan and Water Transportation Director, David Perry
Onboard Awards 2025: Celebrating the MBTA, Alexandria Real Estate Equities, and National Development
BOSTON–Boston Harbor Hotel’s Wharf room was full on December 17 to celebrate this year’s winners of Boston Harbor Now’s Onboard Awards: The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and the duo of Alexandria Real Estate Equities and National Development, developers of the 5 & 15 Necco Street complex that houses the Eli Lilly Innovation Center.
The T was honored by Boston Harbor Now for its strong commitment to water transportation and to coastal resilience as well. The organization held up 5 & 15 Necco as a leading example of design that meets the needs of resiliency and public benefit. The importance of Boston Harbor and the work of the awardees was reinforced by the beautiful and inspiring view out into the Inner Harbor on a brisk, clear morning.
“Performing public service with partnerships like the ones we have in this room is a privilege,’’ said Ryan Coholan, MBTA Chief Operating Officer, who accepted the award on behalf of the Authority and General Manager Phil Eng. Joining Coholan at the ceremony were MBTA Board Chair Tom McGee and MBTA Director of Ferry Operations Dave Perry. “The MBTA couldn’t be more proud to receive this award.’’
Alexandria Senior VP Maggie Capelle and National Development Senior VP, Development, Naomi Mayeux also spoke of how honored they were to receive the awards. “We are deeply honored to join the long line of Onboard Award winners who have done so much to build up the waterfront and the city we all love and call home,’’ Capelle said. Added Mayeux: “I can tell you that Boston Harbor Now’s partnership in this project from the beginning was a tremendously helpful resource for us and our team. The collaboration emphasized that resilience and public access need to work together to accomplish great design: Buildings that meet the demands of tenants and the public, look good, and feel good to be in.’’
Boston Harbor Now also acknowledged at the event the many contributions of Rich McGuinness, deputy director of the Boston Planning and Development Agency, to shaping the South Boston Waterfront, Harborwalk expansions, and the Inner Harbor Water Transportation Plan. He was presented with a breathtaking aerial photograph of the waterfront encompassing much of his work as a token of the organization’s appreciation for his 25 years of dedicated service to building a better waterfront for City and the Region.
BHN’s CEO and President, Kathy Abbott and Board Chair, Kishore Varanasi presented 2025 Onboard Award to Alexandria Real Estate Equities and the National Development teams
In opening remarks, Boston Harbor Now President and CEO Kathy Abbott noted that this year’s event was being held at the intersection of three big developments: The conclusion of the 40th anniversary of the Harborwalk, the upcoming 10th anniversary of the founding of Boston Harbor Now, and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Boston and Boston Harbor Now. The MOU formalizes the organization’s role as a key non-profit steward of the Harborwalk and advocate for public access and coastal flood protection, including through nature-based approaches to resilience.
“A ‘Boston Harbor For All’ is not just a slogan–it is an outcome we are planning, designing, building, and programming to achieve together,’’ Abbott said. “The next 50 years will require the same hard work, investment, and collaboration that transformed Boston Harbor over the last five decades … Together, we can build on the foundation we are celebrating today and shape a Boston Harbor that drives the success of our City and our Commonwealth for years to come.’’
Abbott thanked the many generous sponsors and supporters who made possible the event and the year-round financial support it provides to Boston Harbor Now, including Eastern Salt, the James M. & Cathleen D. Stone Foundation, MeetBoston, CBT Architects, the New England Revolution, AR Products, and The Brennan Group.
Board chair Kishore Varanasi concluded the speaking program, focusing on the exciting vision of Harborwalk 2.0 and the role the Harbor Islands National and State Park plays both as a beautiful place to visit but also as a source of protection for the city’s coast. “Water transportation links it all together,’’ he added. “It connects our communities, activates the waterfront, strengthens the port, and supports our regional economy. Boston needs water transportation that is more reliable, more frequent, and more affordable. This is a moment to make that happen.’’
The event left us feeling even more excited about all the work and opportunity we have before us, including the 10th anniversary of Boston Harbor Now in April and the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation in July, in which the harbor and waterfront will be venues for several major semiquincentennial celebrations.
To quote from the MBTA’s Ryan Coholan: “We look forward to seeing you on the water!”
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