Let's Talk Sidewalks on A Street

The Fort Point neighborhood has long talked about better and wider sidewalks on A Street between Melcher and Congress Streets. There are many projects touching this part of the neighborhood, including developer-funded work near Melcher Street; a Public Works project to address the southern stairs; and the Public Works project to reconstruct Congress Street. At the meeting, we'll discuss ways to connect all of these and meet your goals for A Street's sidewalks.

The City's teams are looking to sharing options and getting your feedback on:

Monday, June 5, 2023
6:30pm
via Zoom
Register today

originally published 05.23.23

Who Is Up For Some Neighborhood Beautification?

Have you walked the Harborwalk along the Fort Point Channel?  The Harborwallk is a living gem connecting Boston neighborhoods to the water. 

You are cordially invited to join FPNA and the Friends of the Boston Harborwalk as we clean the Harborwalk, the banks of the Channel and surrounding streets on:

Saturday, June 10, 2023

9:00 am -12:00 pm

45 Binford St (Gillette pumphouse & Channelside parking lot)

Sign Up Today

We'll provide everything you'll need for the morning's clean-up. We just need enthusiastic and friendly volunteers. Come enjoy the great outdoors for an hour or for three. 

Keep your eyes on the water for Boston Line and Service (BL&S) cruising the Channel and removing debris from the base and shorelines.  

Hope to see you June 10th!

Fort Point Channel

Traffic Advisory: Overnight Haul Road Closure Starting Today

The following traffic advisory is courtesy of the Seaport TMA. 

Please be advised that starting Tuesday, May 30 through Friday June 2, 2023, the westbound segment of Massport Haul Road to South Boston Bypass Road and I-90 East will be closed during overnight hours. A description for the overnight closure and detour is below.

Haul Road Closure Timing:

• Tues. 5/30 from 9 p.m. to Wed. 5/31 5 a.m.
• Wed. 5/31 from 9 p.m. to Thurs. 6/1 5 a.m.
• Thurs. 6/1 from 9 p.m. to Fri. 6/2 5 a.m.
• Friday 6/2 from 9 p.m. to Sat. 6/3 5 a.m.

The detour map and description are below. This closure is required to install permanent signage.

As always, when driving through and near the work zone, we ask drivers to pay extra attention to speed, lane markings, detour signage, barriers, police details, and construction workers.

Contact the Project

On-site construction concerns: (508) 962-8091

Questions via email: construction@bostonseaport.xyz

Boston Seaport general information: www.bostonseaport.xyz

Upcoming Meetings and Events About the Neighborhood

May 30: Public Meeting on Inclusionary Development Policy Zoning Amendment at 6pm.  The amendment adds a new Article 79 (Inclusionary Zoning) to the Boston Zoning Code, as well the addition of new definitions to Article 2 (Definitions). General input is sought through the public meeting and website.  View meeting link for links to related documents and resources.

May 30: "CROWN" The Highest Level of Consciousness" by Artists for Humanity alumna Wendy “MoMa” Michel from 5pm to 7pm at 100 W 2nd Street. 

May 31: Barking Crab Barge virtual MEPA site visit at noon. Please RSVP to purvi.patel@mass.gov at least one hour before the meeting for instructions on joining the video conference or calling in by phone. An optional in-person site visit meeting on Thu June 1 at 11:30am may be requested before May 30, 2023 by noon.

June 3: Red Bull Cliff Diving World Diving Series Finals at 1pm at the ICA. Free and open to the public. 

June 5:  A Street Sidewalk Widening Public Meeting at 6:30pm.  The City will discuss alternatives and share a preferred design approach to widen the narrow A St sidewalks between Congress St and Melcher St.

 

June 6: A Guide to South Boston’s Transportation Planning and the Development Review Process at 6pm. View guide. Although this transportation planning boundaries are outside of Fort Point and Seaport, it can be helpful to understand adjacent impacts and transportation solutions. 

June 8: 7 Channel Center IAG Public Meeting at 6pm to discuss mitigation impacts regarding PDA 53.

COMMENT DEADLINES

June 9th: Chapter 91 Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park Final Master Plan Update comment deadline.

June 9: 244 – 284 A St FEIR comment deadline

June 9: Barking Crab EENF(ENF & PEIR) comment deadline

originally published 05.25.23

Street Closures, Ramp Closures & Detours This Holiday Weekend

The rededication for the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial is scheduled to to take place Friday, May 26th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at 85 Northern Ave.

Northern Avenue from Fan Pier Boulevard to Harbor Shore Drive will be closed. Parking restrictions will be in place on the following streets:

• Northern Avenue, Southside (District Hall side), from Fan Pier Boulevard to Harbor Shore Drive
• Northern Avenue, Northside (Waterfront Park side), from Harbor Shore Drive to Fan Pier Boulevard
• Seaport Boulevard Northside (District Hall side), from Northern Avenue to Thomson Place

This Memorial Day weekend, we will welcome approximately 6,000 attendees to the South Boston Waterfront for Sunday's Boston’s Run to Remember Half Marathon & 5 mile road race. To accommodate the runners, there will be road closures and detours. There will also be overnight I-90 Exit 135 ramp closures from May 28 through May 30, 2023

Boston’s Run to Remember Half Marathon & 5 mile road race

Please be advised of the following Seaport Blvd closures on May 28th:

4:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Seaport Blvd closed between B Street and D Street
6:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Seaport Blvd closed between Atlantic Ave and D Street

A Northbound and a Southbound lane will be open on the Moakley Bridge between Sleeper Street and Atlantic Ave to allow traffic on Northern Avenue to bypass Seaport Blvd and provide access to Congress St. Cyclists can reference Seaport TMA's live map of bike parking and Bluebikes stations. MBTA Silver Line service may see busier than normal ridership levels and area garages may also be busier.

Overnight Ramp Closure May 28 - May 30: I-90 Exit 135

Exit 135 off-ramp from I-90 West to South Boston will be closed from Sunday, May 28 to Tuesday, May 30, with a detour via I-93 North, Purchase Street, and Congress Street.

Timing: Approximately 3:00 p.m. on Sunday May 28 to 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday May 30.

Purpose: To install steel beams in a safe and controlled manner, with access from the off-ramp, as part of the ongoing 10 World Trade air rights construction project. The off-ramp will re-open by 5:00 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Detour: From Exit 134/135, drivers will fork left instead of right, using the off-ramp to I-93 North. Drivers will be directed to take Exit 17 for Government Center and keep left on John F Fitzgerald Surface Road to Purchase Street, and turn left on Congress Street. The detour will be fully marked with signage.

Contact the Project

On-site Construction Concerns: (617) 592-6531

Questions via email: mpagliocca@suffolk.com

May Neighborhood Gathering Features Latest on Northern Avenue Bridge

updated 05/25/23 with presentation.

You Are Invited

to a
FPNA Neighborhood Gathering

Tuesday, May 23, 2023
6 pm to 8 pm
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
in partnership with Innovation Studios
303 Congress St (across from The Milk Bottle)
In person or Online Viewing Only


featuring
C-6 Boston Police Community Service Officers

 &
The Latest On The Northern Avenue Bridge
including Resiliency & the Fort Point Channel

with special guests
Chris Osgood
Mayor Michelle Wu's Senior Infrastructure Advisor 

Para Jayasinghe
City Engineer, Boston Public Works Department

John Sullivan
Chief Engineer, Boston Water & Sewer Commission

Charlie Jewell
Director of Planning and Sustainability, Boston Water & Sewer Commission

plus
Neighborhood News

Please note that this month's gathering will take place in person at WPI. Online is viewing only. 

If you have any questions for our speakers, please submit them by Monday at noon to FPNA.

***Special Thanks to Innovation Studios at District Hall for sponsoring us at WPI.***

originally published 5.22.23

Fort Point Channel Paddleboard Yoga and Boston Harbor Paddles This Summer

Summer is coming. SUP YO Adventures will be returning to the Fort Point Pier in June.  SUP Yoga will be teaching paddle board yoga and leading Boston Harbor paddle adventures every Wednesday and Sunday through August. 

Sundays at 9AM: Rise and Shine Paddle Board Yoga

Sundays at 10:30AM: Boston Harbor Paddle 

Wednesdays at 6:15PM: Sunset Paddle Board Yoga

Prices include all equipment and no experience is required to participate!

Get out on the Channel, meditate and enjoy.

Neighborhood Items At May 17th Conservation Commission

 The Boston Conservation Commission (ConCom) will hold its next Wednesday bi-weekly public hearing on:

May 17, 2023

6:00 pm

Zoom 

Dial-in audio: 929-205-6099

Meeting ID: 686 458 2044

The Commission reviews projects to determine what conditions, if any, the Commission will impose in order to protect the interests of the public and private water supply, groundwater, prevention of pollution, flood control, prevention of storm damage, protection of fisheries and land containing shellfish, and protection of wildlife habitat. View Full Agenda

Tip: You can zoom in and out to see where they are on the agenda.

Neighborhood Agenda Items

Notice of Intent for DEP File No. 006-XXXX and Boston File No. 2023-XXX from Nitsch Engineering on behalf of The Fallon Company for the proposed residential condominium development and subsequent landscaping and stormwater improvements located at One Harbor Shore Drive, South Boston, MA (LSCSF, Waterfront Area, 100ft Buffer to Coastal Bank). *Continued from the May 3, 2023 hearing.

Notice of Intent for DEP File No. 006-XXX and Boston File No. 2023-XXX from LEC Environmental Consultants, Inc. on behalf of the Massachusetts Port Authority for the proposed rehabilitation of a 3.44 acre portion of a container yard located at 700 Summer Street, South Boston, MA (LSCSF, DPA, 100ft Buffer Zone to Coastal Bank).

Acceptance of the Order of Conditions:

Notice of Intent for DEP File No. 006-1937 and Boston File No. 2023-026 from Epsilon Associates on behalf of 22 Drydock LLC for the proposed demolition of structures and removal and replacement of subsurface utilities at 22 Drydock Ave, South Boston, MA (LSCSF).

Notice of Intent for DEP File No. 006-1940 and Boston File No. 2023-029 from Epsilon Associates on behalf of SBMMP LLC for proposed soil borings and sediment samples collected from 3 Dolphin Way and 20 Fid Kennedy Avenue, South Boston, MA (LSCSF, DPA, LUO, Coastal Bank, 100ft Buffer Zone to Coastal Bank, Waterfront Area).

Public Summer Safety Meeting This Wednesday

 As the summer quickly approaches, the Mayor’s Office will begin a Community Listening Tour Series. The Community Listening Tour is an opportunity for community members to share their opinions and ideas on the City’s violence prevention, intervention, and recovery efforts that will be in place this summer, all while we build community connections among leaders, residents, and city agencies alike. South Boston's Listening Tour is:

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

6pm - 8pm

Condon School, 200 D St. (beyond the Laboure Center)

The goals of this Listening Tour will be to:

1. Begin engaging the community in the summer safety strategy planning process;
2. Have a guided and authentic dialogue about issues surrounding and solutions to community
violence;
3. Gauge the needs, wants, hopes of the community members that have been impacted by
community violence;
4. Continue to build relationships with and within the community

The conversations shall be free-flowing, but will be roughly guided by the following questions:
1. What is one thing you hope to get out of these meetings? One thing that you hope to come from these meetings?
2. When you think about violence in your communities, what do you think is needed most to reduce this violence?
3. What isn’t working in your communities? What is working in your communities?
4. What is your vision for your neighborhood? What does a safe and healthy community look like to you?
5. Are you connected to solutions in your community? How would you like to be in contact with the City?

The primary goal here is to allow community members to offer insight on what they feel works in terms of community violence reduction during the summer months, and to gain feedback on how the presented ideas can be best implemented in communities across Boston. Additionally, we will begin conversations about the more broad, public-health-oriented city-wide violence prevention plan to reduce all forms of community violence.

Please contact Isaac Yablo with any questions or concerns. 

MA Convention Center Authority To Host Community Discussion on D & E St Parcels

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority will host an open community discussion regarding the future of MCCA-owned parcels across from the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) on D & E Street on:

Tuesday, May 16, 2023
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Condon School
200 D Street (off of W. Broadway behind the Laboure Center) 

Related Articles

Convention Center Authority shifts gears on controversial redevelopment plans in South Boston | WWLP 4/19/23

After pushback from local politicians, MCCA suspends sale of surplus Southie land and plans to rebid - The Boston Globe 4/18/23

Convention Center Authority Rejects Seaport Proposal For 'False Pretenses' | WBZ NewsRadio 1030 (iheart.com) 4/18/23

originally published 05.05.23

249 A St. Artists Cooperative Celebrates 40 Years with Art Exhibition at Atlantic Wharf Gallery

The 249 A Street Artists Cooperative announces the Artists of 249 A Street Cooperative: 40th Anniversary Exhibition, featuring the works of forty of its member artists. The exhibition is at the Atlantic Wharf Gallery (290 Congress St.) and runs now through August 11, 2023. The exhibition is free and open to the public from 7AM to 10PM.

An opening reception will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023 from 5:30 -7:30 pm. 

The exhibition showcases work from members in diverse styles and mediums, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, and photography. 

The exhibition also includes photographs of the Coop’s historic building, accompanied by historical information about how the cooperative came to be. The cooperative model allows artists to collaborate, share resources, and support each other in their creative endeavors.

It is also an opportunity to showcase some of the high number of artists living and working in historic Fort Point. "We're thrilled to present this exhibition of our members' work," said Steven Muller, President. "It's a testament to the strength and creativity of our community, and a chance for us to share our art with a wider audience." 

Visitors are welcome to view the works on display, and learn more about the positive effects and contributions of the 249 A Street Artists Cooperative to the community. 

For more information about Artists of 249 A Street Cooperative: 40th Anniversary Exhibition, or the 249 A Street Artists Cooperative, please contact J.S. Dykes at or visit the 249 A Street Artists Cooperative (249astreetcoop.com).

Fort Point Landmarks May 2023 Meeting

updated 5/11/22 with presentations.

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

Thursday, May 11, 2023

6:00 PM

This hearing will be held virtually and NOT in person. 

You can participate in this hearing by going to the Zoom meeting link or by

calling  929-436-2866 and entering meeting id   995 6454 2847#.You can also submit written comments or questions to FortPointLDC@boston.

I.  DESIGN REVIEW HEARING

PP # 23.0588 FPC   280 SUMMER STREET

Applicant: David Woolaver

Proposed Work: Re-cladding all of the rotted window wooden trim with a matching aluminum.  Continued from the April 13, 2023 hearing. 

APP # 23.0898 FPC  25 THOMSON PLACE

Applicant: Brook Hindle 

Proposed Work: Installation of temporary SAV vinyl sticker signage to the windows. 

APP # 23.0917 FPC   5 NECCO STREET

Applicant: Sherry Clancy 

Proposed Work: Relocate west wall of existing transformer fence 1-4' closer to the transformer as well as landscaping improvements. 

APP # 23.0920 FPC    51 MELCHER STREET

Applicant: Alex Munoz 

Proposed Work: Streetscape improvements along Melcher Street including tree pits, bike racks and bollards; streetscape and accessibility improvements at the Melcher and A Street intersection including accessible curb ramps. Continued from the March 9, 2023 hearing. 

APP # 23.0907 FPC   17 FARNSWORTH STREET

Applicant: Nick Cassaro 

Proposed Work: Convert the existing building to office and laboratory uses. The new building will have a building height of approximately 67 feet compatible with the height of adjacent buildings to the north and south; a mechanical penthouse set back from Farnsworth Street; other rooftop mechanical equipment screened from view; a metal-frame facade with punched windows on its easterly and westerly facades to reflect the area’s post-industrial character.

II   RATIFICATION OF 4/11/23 PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES

III  STAFF UPDATES

 IV  PROJECTED ADJOURNMENT: 7:30 PM

FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION

David Berarducci, Susan Goganian, John Karoff, Lynn Smiledge, Vacancy, Alternates: Thomas Rodde, Vacancy 

originally published 5.4.23