Friday, May 29, 2015

Boston Creates Cultural Planning Town Hall

The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture kicks off Boston community cultural planning at Boston Creates Town Hall public meeting on:


June 2, 2015
6 pm - 9 pm
English High School
144 McBride Street
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

Accessible by MBTA and Onsite Parking

The Boston Creates Town Hall is the first large public event in Boston’s cultural planning process, designed to create a blueprint for arts and culture in the City of Boston. The community is invited to attend and share their opinions and ideas about the City’s cultural priorities.  Attendees are encouraged to register for the event in advance.

Boston Creates will engage residents, visitors, and stakeholders to help local government identify cultural needs, opportunities, and resources and to think strategically about how these resources can help the community to achieve its cultural goals. The process will create a ten-year plan to prioritize, coordinate, and align public and private resources to strengthen cultural vitality over the long term.

“Boston Creates is an opportunity for everyone in the city to share their vision of how arts and culture fit into our future,” said Mayor Walsh. “We encourage everyone to come to the Town Hall to help us build upon the cultural assets of our City, and be a part of the plan that will position Boston as a municipal arts leader.”

The Boston Creates Town Hall will be followed by interviews with individuals and groups to lay out a comprehensive map of Boston’s cultural assets, including its variety of arts organizations, festivals, and public art locations. Community Engagement Team Members are still needed for this process, and individuals interested in volunteering can apply at Boston Creates.

“Boston Creates depends upon community participation for its success,” said Julie Burros, Chief of Arts and Culture for the City of Boston. “We need to hear from as many voices as possible so we can create a plan that represents the unique identity of the city.  Over the next year, we will be reaching out to audiences across Boston, and the Town Hall is the first step.”

In partnership with the City of Boston, the Barr Foundation and the Klarman Family Foundation have provided the funding necessary for the cultural planning process. The Cultural Plan is expected to be complete in June 2016. For more information, visit www.bostoncreates.org. Social media users can engage with the process on Twitter using #BostonCreates or by following Arts in Boston on Facebook.

Mondays With The Mayor Comes To South Boston

Mayor Walsh will host "Mondays with the Mayor" in South Boston on:

Monday, June 1, 2015
7 pm
(doors open at 6:30 pm)
Excel High School (formerly South Boston High School)
95 G Street (next to Thomas Telegraph Hill Park)

Joining Mayor Walsh will be his Chief of Staff, Dan Koh and members of the Mayor's Cabinet. 

Mayor Walsh has committed to host "Mondays with the Mayor" town hall meetings as a continuation of the successful "Mondays with Marty" series leading up to his inauguration. The "Mondays with the Mayor" series is an opportunity for constituents to speak to Mayor Walsh, and share their questions and concerns about issues facing Boston. During these meetings, Mayor Walsh answers constituent questions. Constituents are also welcome to submit written testimony to the Walsh Administration

originally published 5.19.15

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

FPNA May 2015 Meeting For The Neighborhood

Fort Point Neighborhood Association
Meeting for the Neighborhood

Tuesday, May 26, 2015
6pm - 8pm
Factory 63
63 Melcher St.

6:00 pm
General Meeting
Neighborhood Updates

introducing

including
Fort Point Community Priorities Discussion

7:00 pm
Special Presentation
Boston Grand Prix 2016 @ Seaport
Mark Perrone
Chris Keohan
Dino DiFronzo


tasty bites by Moonshine 152

originally published 5.19.15

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Boston City Council Looks At Parking Fines Pilot, Olympics, City Charter Changes & More

Councillor-At-Large Michelle Wu provides notes from Boston City Council meetings. The Boston City Council considered the items below and more at their May 20, 2015 meeting:

Parking Fines & Towing: The Council voted 12-1 (Councilor Murphy opposing) to pass Mayor Walsh's ordinance giving authority to the Transportation Commissioner to designate Pilot Zones where fines for not moving your car during posted street cleaning times would be increased from $40 to $90 but towing would no longer occur.  After hearings and working sessions, the language was amended to include a sunset clause, ending the pilot program November 30, 2015.  The Transportation Commissioner will also be required to provide the City Council with data from the pilot program. The pilot will happen in Charlestown, and at the end of the program, there will be further evaluation.  Many Councilors expressed concern with the impact of stopping towing on cleanliness - if residents are less likely to move their cars for street cleaning, even with an increased fine, the City will have to use the extra ticket revenue for hokies or specific tools to clean around parked cars. Councilor Murphy expressed skepticism that the pilot would work and believes that towing is crucial for compliance with posted street cleaning. Councilor Wu voted for the pilot as a way to support government experimentation and innovation, remaining open to the possibility that it could work in some neighborhoods even if she is skeptical about it in the Downtown neighborhoods. Councilor McCarthy called for a citywide anti-litter campaign to get at the root problem.

2024 Olympics: On Monday, the City Council's subcommittee on the 2024 Olympics had a hearing focused on the International Olympic Committee's 2020 Agenda. There has been extensive coverage of the proceedings, including this Globe article. Overall, the Council heard about the IOC's goals of creating a more affordable and sustainable host city experience.  However, they will still require a financial guarantee for cost overruns, although this may come from a private entity. It would be a violation of the City Charter to write a blank check, as any financial expenditure needs to have a specific appropriation in place beforehand. Boston 2024 stated that they would have more of a plan by June, and that no financial guarantee would be signed until at least after the 2016 statewide referendum on the Olympics.  The City Council will be hosting several more hearings on the Olympics.

Boston City Charter: On Monday, the City Council's subcommittee on Charter Reform held a working session to discuss ideas for changes. Councilor Baker put forth 11 suggestions that had been submitted by constituents and others. These include: Giving the City Council authority to approve all Mayoral appointments, Council confirmation of School Committee appointees, Term limits for City Council & Mayor, City Council power to veto sections of the budget vs. an up or down vote, Extending City Council terms to 4 years, Eliminating the home rule petition, Charter revamp to eliminate conflicts and clean up language, City Council & Mayoral pay structure/raises, Special Election for vacant At-Large seats, Elections for Mayor & City Council to be on off years, Open Meeting Law review. Councilor Baker asked for this docket to stay in committee.

Constable Confirmation: The Council voted to suspend and pass confirmation of Constables and Inspectional Services Constables authorized by the City to serve civil process from May 2015 until April 2018.

  • Renewal List: Gabriel Azubuike, Linda Castagna, Geovanne Colon, William Flippin, Kevin Loftus, Shane Reed, Wallace Tilford, Joseph Turco
  • New Constable List: Sean Alexander, Holsen Borgella, Cavkil Bromfield, Samuel Desrosiers, Aisha Johnson, Krista Long, Ronald Luccio, Martin Richardson, Nicola Tritta
  • ISD Renewal List: Indira Alvarez, Anthony Cillo, Raoul Jacques, Toney Jones, Charles Mba, Baraa Mohamed, Tawonya Morris-William, Taschetta Stephens-Weston, Yvonne Tofuri
  • ISD New Constable List: Michael Campbell, David Rini, Yolanda Stinson-Tubbs

Diesel Emissions Reduction Ordinance
: The Council voted at the May 13th meeting to pass the amended ordinance filed by Councilor Murphy that would require the use of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel and diesel emissions control technology in vehicles used for City projects and services.  That means for vehicles owned, leased, or operated by the City, as well as vehicles used for City construction projects with greater than $2M cost, they must be powered by ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel and meet EPA emissions standards for new vehicles in effect in 2007 or later or have verified retrofit technology that removes at least 20% of particulates from the exhaust stream. The ordinance is a victory for public health and environmental issues, and it has been in the works since 2009.

For complete notes from May 20th and prior Boston City Council meetings, visit www.michelleforboston.com/notes or sign up to receive these notes automatically each week by email at www.michelleforboston.com/sendmenotes.

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Fan Pier Civic and Cultural Use Program Public Meeting

The Boston Redevelopment Authority is hosting a community meeting to present certain changes to the civic and cultural use program at the Fan Pier Development site.

May 21, 2015
6 pm - 8 pm
Institute of Contemporary Art
100 Northern Ave Boston, MA 02210 

The City of Boston’s long-standing planning objectives for the South Boston Waterfront District include a broad mix of uses tied together with an inviting pedestrian scale including continuous public access along the waterfront on the Harborwalk system. The mix of uses include commercial, residential, hotel, retail, open space and civic development. The waterfront and Harborwalk are to be enriched by parks, overlooks, civic uses and cultural facilities.

The call for civic and cultural facilities was underscored through the approval of the South Boston Waterfront Municipal Harbor Plan. Pursuant to that plan, 127,000 sf of new civic uses along the South Boston waterfront were authorized to balance the scale of new private development along the water’s edge.

The assemblage of open space and new civic and cultural facilities are the kind of special public destinations that will help transform the South Boston waterfront into a vibrant and popular year-round public destination.

The South Boston waterfront is evolving into a strong civic and cultural district with facilities located both along the water’s edge and within the neighborhood. These destinations include the Artists for Humanity, Midway Artist Studios, Fort Point Artists community, Boston Children’s Museum, Boston Tea Party Museum, Moakley Federal Courthouse, and the Institute of Contemporary Art (“ICA”).

The ICA is a standalone symbol of the City’s planning objectives to enhance the edges of Boston Harbor with cultural facilities, bold architecture, public attractions and open space. The ICA has drawn 2 million visitors to the South Boston Waterfront since opening its doors in December 2006.

Proposed changes to the civic and cultural use program at the Fan Pier Development site include increasing the total gross square feet of civic and cultural uses from 107,000 square feet to 111,000 square feet, allowing the ICA‘s expansion into adjoining Building I, and consolidating 17,166 square feet into Building D for a program proposed by The Boston Children’s Museum, The New England Aquarium and the Boston Harbor Island’s Alliance. 

Monday, May 11, 2015

Fort Point Channel Landmarks May 2015 Meeting

The FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION will hold a public hearing:

Thursday, 14 May 2015
5:30 PM
Boston City Hall, Room 709
After 5:30 p.m., enter and exit City Hall at the Dock Square entrance on Congress Street (across from Faneuil Hall).

Subject of the hearing will be applications for Certificates of Design Approval on the agenda below, review of architectural violations and such business as may come before the commission, in accordance with Ch. 772 of the Acts of 1975, as amended. Applications are available for review during normal business hours at the office of the Environment Department. Sign-language interpreters are available upon request.

I. DESIGN REVIEW HEARING

5:30 PM
Application 15.1004 FPC 333 Summer Street (continued review)
Applicant: LogMeIn, Inc. (tenant): Alter entry to accommodate double door

5:50 PM
Application 15.998 FPC 51 Melcher Street
Applicant: Jessica Hinman, Netsuite (tenant): Install acrylic plaque sign

6:10 PM
Application 15.1108 FPC 51 Melcher Street
Applicant: Najah Shakir, Boston Bikes: Install bike rack

PROJECTED ADJOURNMENT: 6:30 PM

originally published 4.30.15

Bastille Kitchen Community Meeting


Community Meeting
Monday May 11th
6:00 PM

@

Factory 63
63 Melcher Street

Bastille Kitchen would like to meet with the community to discuss a proposed extension of operating hours to 2 am daily in their restaurant and lounge. Currently their liquor license is 1 am with 2 am for functions only, which are primarily held in the downstairs lounge known as the Chalet.

Hearing before the licensing board is scheduled for May 20, 2015. Comments maybe sent to the Licensing Board, Christine A. Pulgini, Chair or submitted online.

originally published 5.1.15

Wednesday, May 06, 2015

Street Sweeping Boston Shines Saturday

Fort Point Boston Shines
Saturday May 9th

NO PARKING
9 AM to 4 PM
A Street/ Melcher St/ Binford St

The Fort Point Neighborhood Association in conjunction with Boston Dept. of Public Works, Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services and P & G Gillette have arranged for a thorough street sweeping effort of the above roadways in the Fort Point Neighborhood during Boston Shines.

P& G Gillette parking lot 10 at the corner of A & Binford Streets will be open for parkers seeking an alternative venue during this time.

Neighbors are invited to sign up for Fort Point Shines team anytime between 10 am and 3 pm at Wormwood Park (Wormwood & A Streets) to plant, rake and sweep our way into spring.

Hit The Runway With Midway Channel Gallery

Watch Midway Channel Gallery's off the woven path exhibition come alive in freshly woven, not your typical runway scene.
 

Friday, May 8, 2015 
6 pm -8 pm

Taking place in a former wool warehouse, artists weave the past and present with an eye to the future in this eclectic show. Mingle with models wearing a collection of independent designs weaving together the art of textiles, fashion and jewelry. Listen to original musical accompanying their every step and accentuating avant garde designs in mood and expression. freshly woven is produced in partnership with Lasell College, Fashion Department Newton, MA, and is part of Artweek Boston taking place through May 10, 2015.

Midway Channel Gallery is nestled in Midway Artist Studios, Boston's largest rental artist live/work building. off the woven path connects Midway Studios' past to the present and celebrates Midway Artist Studios first year anniversary as an artist owned building and tenth anniversary as a renovated artist building and community. The galley is located at 15 Channel Center St. 1st floor Boston, MA 02210.

Friday, May 01, 2015

Fort Point 11th Annual Boston Shines Next Weekend

Boston Shines logoCity wide neighborhood clean-up to celebrate spring and Boston’s neighborhoods.  
Join the Fort Point Neighborhood Association (FPNA) for this neighborhood event to make Fort Point Shine!
Local businesses meet on:
Friday, May 8th, 2015 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Wormwood Park (Wormwood & A Streets)
Lunch is included for company employees planting tree circles and panel vines. 
Neighbors meet on:
Saturday, May 9th  10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Wormwood Park (A & Wormwood Sts)
Sign Up to Volunteer
After Party picnic will take place in Wormwood Park starting at 5 pm.

Food and refreshments are generously donated by Fort Point restaurants and local businesses. The City of Boston will provide rakes, trowels, gardening gloves and a free t-shirt! Wear outdoor attire. 
If you have any questions, please contact Cam Sawzin at camsawzin(at)gmail.com or Charles Joseph at charlesjos(at)aol.com.