Thursday, December 27, 2018

Time To Gear Up For New Year's Celebrations

Celebrate New Year's in and around the neighborhood. 

Boston Harbor Now invites you to the sixth annual New Year's Eve on the Waterfront. Filled with family friendly activities including a Harbor Map Tour at the Boston Harbor Hotel, Touch-a-Truck with First Responders at the Envoy Hotel, a Ice Sculpture Stroll and for the big kids midnight fireworks. 



This year's ice sculpture stroll will transform the Downtown and South Boston Waterfront and Harborwalk into a magical, winter wonderland come Monday, December 31st. Stroll hours are 1 pm to  4 pm. Visit all 16 ice sculptures and take selfies to enter in a Waterfront 'Staycation' Giveaway Contest. Download the official Waterfront Ice Sculpture and Fireworks Map (PDF) and use the included coupon for all-day discounted parking ($20.19) for New Year's Eve at the Boston Harbor Garage (270 Atlantic Avenue).

Ring in the year watching fireworks at midnight over the Boston Harbor. The fireworks are generously sponsored by Boston Harbor Now, City of Boston, Friends of Christopher Columbus Park and the Wharf District Council. Suggested viewing locations are: Fan Pier, Christopher Columbus Park and the East Boston Harborwalk.

The L Street Brownies continue in the footsteps of thousands before them over the last one hundred years by taking the plunge into the Boston Harbor on New Year's day. The event starts at 9 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at  the L Street Bathhouse. Meet up with your neighbors first at the L Street Tavern at 8 am and enjoy a personal escort by 103rd Postal Fire Column Pipes and Drums to the plunge. Spectators welcome. For helpful information visit Caught In Southie


If diving into freezing water is not your thing, Murphy Memorial Rink in South Boston will be holding free public skating hours on New Year’s Day from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.  

However you celebrate the New Year whether it be in Fort Point, the Seaport or from afar, FPNA (Fort Point Neighborhood Association) wishes you, our neighbors and friends, a very Happy New Year.

Friday, December 14, 2018

Boston City Council Looks At Transportation, Early Education, Marijuana Facilties & More

City Councilor-At-Large Michelle Wu publishes notes from Boston City Council meetings. The Boston City Council considered the following items and more at their November 28th, December 5th, and December 12, 2018 meetings (last meeting of the year due to scheduling conflicts):

Boston Youth Transportation Project: I filed a report on the results of a summer research initiative undertaken by my office called the Boston Youth Transportation Project, which surveyed nearly 300 Boston high school students to understand specific transportation challenges that our youth face. We often discuss transportation from the perspective of employees and employers in the region, but it’s important to highlight just how much transportation challenges are shaping the lives of Boston youth. Cost, unreliability, and safety concerns result in create significant obstacles for youth as they seek to access educational, social, and economic opportunities. Moreover, transportation is one of the biggest source of greenhouse emissions, and increasing the efficiency and usage of public transportation, biking, and walking is an important part of combating climate change. The report found that youth prefer single-occupancy vehicles and may be likely to continue our transportation emissions, so we must improve the infrastructure needed for better public transportation and other multi-modal options. Read the full report.

Public Travel Infrastructure: The Council voted to follow Councilor Ciommo’s recommendation to approve the order to allocate $6.5M from the City’s Capital Grant Fund to address the impact of transportation network services on the City’s public travel infrastructure, such as municipal roads and bridges following a hearing on Monday.

Early Education and Childcare Policy Briefing Series: Councilor Pressley filed a report offering policy recommendations for improving access to early education and childcare for families in the city, following our 2017 policy briefing series convened by Councilors Campbell, Essaibi George, Pressley and myself. We examined barriers to access for affordable and quality early education and childcare across the city, especially when the Commonwealth is one of the most expensive places for childcare in the country. Our recommendations seek to improve access and equity in finding childcare, as well as recruiting and training a diverse workforce that will ensure quality in early childhood education programs. These include designating an official agency of early education and childcare and/or hire an early childcare advisor for the city; expanding the criteria and amount for federal and state childcare subsidies; expanding  access to licensed childcare facilities that open during nontraditional working hours; and more. You can read the full report.

Siting Recovery Facilities: Councilors Edwards, Essaibi George, and I reported back on yesterday’s hearing regarding the potential for regulations on the proximity of alcohol and cannabis establishments to recovery facilities. All agreed that the City must continue pushing toward implementation of the will of the voters in legalizing adult use marijuana while understanding the impacts that this new industry could have for equity and communities across the city. In particular, there is a proposal for a retail cannabis location in East Boston next door to a recovery facility for some of our most vulnerable residents managing dual diagnoses of substance use and mental illness. Several panels described the need for making sure that everyone has a voice in the process of setting up this industry, including those who have been directly affected by the opiate crisis. Watch public hearing.

Our next City Council meeting will be on Wednesday, January 9th, at 12pm. Happy holidays and see you in the New Year!

For complete notes on Boston City Council meetings, visit MichelleForBoston.com or sign up to receive these notes automatically. 

Wednesday, December 05, 2018

Fort Point Landmarks December 2018 Meeting

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

Thursday, December 13, 2018
6:00 PM
Boston City Hall - Piemonte Room (5th Floor)
After 5:30 pm, 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.

I. DESIGN REVIEW

APP # 19.575 FPC 44 Farnsworth
Applicant: Edward Pare Jr. Esq; AT&T Mobility Corporation 
Proposed Work: Modify existing 12 panel antennas affixed to the penthouse. Install 9 remote radio units, 3 surge arrestors, replace existing equipment. 

APP # 19.613 FPC 55 Thomson Place
Applicant: Bianka Cabrera; Outsystems 
Proposed Work: Install new roof deck.

II. RATIFICATION OF 11/8/2018 PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES

III. VOTE TO RECOMMEND THAT THE BOSTON LANDMARKS COMMISSION AMEND SECTION 8.O RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT STUDY REPORT, SPECIFICALLY REGARDING COMMISSIONER NOMINATIONS.

IV. STAFF UPDATES

V. PROJECTED ADJOURNMENT: 7:3O

FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION
David Berarducci, Susan Goganian, John Karoff, Lynn Smiledge, Vacancy 
Alternates: Thomas Rodde, Vacancy

Monday, December 03, 2018

Getting Festive Fort Point Style

Looking to get in the holiday spirit without leaving the neighborhood or going to a mall? The artists, restaurants and stores of Fort Point are offering numerous opportunities this week and weekend to bring you good cheer. 

The Friends of the Fort Point Channel's eighth annual Fort Point Holiday Stroll takes place Wednesday, December 5, 2018 from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Explore Fort Point restaurants, stores and pop-up shops such as an artist pop up at Mayhew Wine Shop. Enjoy local treats, drinks and holiday delights. Pick up a stroll map at anyone of the participating locations and enter the Friends' raffle. 
More than twenty artists at the 249 A Street Cooperative will open their doors for the 249 A Street Holiday Art Sale on Saturday, December 8, 2018 from 11 am to 5 pm. Find handmade gifts for the hardest to shop for on your list. All gifts are made by the artists at Fort Point's original artist studios. Shop in a relaxed studio setting, meet the artists, and enjoy complimentary refreshments. Free (including parking) and open to the public.  
Don't miss the ICA Holiday Market  for more gifts and live music this Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm at 25 Harbor Shore Drive. 

Mayor Walsh’s annual tree lighting starts at 12 pm on December 9, 2018 at Medal of Honor (M) Park. There will be goats, ponies, balloon animals, refreshments and more to celebrate the season. M Park is located at 800 East Broadway.  
Row 34 restaurant is helping you get festive each Sunday in December from 4 pm to 6 pm. Swing by for free small bites and bevvies while finding the perfect gifts made by local Fort Point artists for everyone on your list! Discover when you favorite art maker will be at Row 34 Holiday Pop-Up Shops.