Saturday, May 28, 2016

Fort Point Festival June 5th

The Friends of the Fort Point Channel is kicking off summer with a Fort Point Festival


Sunday, June 5, 2016
12 pm - 4 pm 
25 Thomson Place  

The inaugural event celebrates everything Fort Point, featuring food tasting from local restaurants, an outdoor Trillium Brewing beer garden, arts & crafts, live music, plus a corn hole competition! More details.


All are welcome to attend and enjoy live music by LoVeSeXy – Tribute Band to the Music of Prince!, treat yourself to art from local artists and celebrate being outside on Thomson Place.  If you want sample food  from Fort Point area restaurants and access to the Trillium Brewing outdoor beer garden (21+), purchase your ticket now.

Don't forget to stop by the Fort Point Neighborhood Association table and discover other neighborhood events and news.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

Boston City Council Looks At Water Transport, Vision 0, Saturday Construction & More

City Council President Michelle Wu publishes notes from Boston City Council meetings. The Boston City Council considered these items and more at their May 18th and May 25th meetings:

Saturday Construction Hours: The Council passed an ordinance to amend the regulation of construction hours and Saturday permits. The amendment changes the fee structure for off-hour work (anything outside of weekdays 7AM-6PM) from a flat rate of $100 whether the application is for 1 day or 1 week, to $100 per day requested. The penalty for each violation would be $300, and the Inspectional Services Department will not approve weekend work unless some emergency or urgent need is established.

Vision Zero: Councilor LaMattina as Committee Chair and Councilors O’Malley and Campbell as sponsors reported back about the Parks, Recreation and Transportation Committee’s Monday hearing to discuss traffic calming measures and the Vision Zero program in the City of Boston. Representatives from the Traffic Department, Police Department, Public Works, Public Health Commission, Elderly Commission, and the Disability Commission spoke about the interagency working group, the City’s published action plan and website, an online crash map, and plans for priority zones and neighborhood slow streets areas to do intensive street redesign work. The City also deploys a Rapid Response team after crashes to put temporary measures in place. Several Councilors emphasized the need for continued traffic-calming measures and the urgency of VisionZero.

Water Transportation: Councilors Linehan & LaMattina called for a hearing on the potential for water transportation in Boston Harbor, particularly to connect the neighborhoods of South Boston, East Boston, Charlestown, The North End, and Wharf District. Councilor LaMattina stated that the BRA has funding for two water shuttles, but we have not yet implemented service. Meanwhile MassPort’s community mitigation includes a water shuttle route that is hardly used at all – many opportunities for coordination and expansion. Councilor Linehan noted that not only does Boston’s growing population require better transportation, but SailBoston will be bringing Tall Ships back to Boston in 2017, with programming across all neighborhoods connected to the Harbor, and we should get the shuttles running by then. The matter was assigned to the Committee on Parks, Recreation and Transportation for a hearing.

Landmark Designation: Mayor Walsh filed a Landmark designation for the Massachusetts Historical Society Building, 1154 Boylston Street, starting the 30-day window for the Council to potentially override the designation. For those curious about Landmarks Designation process: first the Landmarks Commission takes a vote (unanimous in this case), with a favorable vote passing it on to the Mayor for approval. The Mayor can disapprove the designation, take no action (with the designation then taking effect after 15 days), or approve it (as he did in this case). If the Mayor approves, the Council receives notification and has up to 30 days to override the designation by a 2/3 vote. This was sent to the Planning & Development Committee (the designation will take effect June 16, 2016 if not acted upon).

For complete notes on this meeting and prior Boston City Council meeting notes, visit MichelleForBoston.com or sign up to receive these notes automatically each week by email. 

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Vote For The Northern Avenue Bridge People's Choice Award

The City of Boston and the Boston Society of Architects/AIA (BSA) co-sponsored a Northern Avenue Bridge Ideas Competition this spring. The competition was open to designers and non-designers alike to propose ideas for the future of the Northern Avenue Bridge that respect history, enhance mobility, and create an extraordinary destination.

In total 133 submissions were received, including 99 graphic designs and 34 essays.  About one-third of the submissions called for restoring the bridge either as an operational bridge or a fixed bridge. The Fort Point Neighborhood Association and the Friends of the Northern Avenue Bridge invite you show your support for keeping the Northern Avenue Bridge by voting for restoration related submissions (see list below). 

Vote for those you support by hitting the heart below each entry. Voting closes Wednesday, May 25 at 4:00 pm. The winners will be announced later that evening from 6:00 pm to 8 pm at the BSA Space R.S.V.P. to this free event. 

Restored Operational Bridge Designs

The Northern Ave Bridge is Boston
Botanical Garden in the City
The Northern Avenue Bridge: Swing it (Again)
Steampunk Gateway [Team includes members of Friends of Northern Ave Bridge]
Market by Day, Theater by Night
Let the Bridge Swing: Everyone Wins [Member of Friends of Northern Ave Bridge]
Restore the Bridge
Repair/Replace As is & Keep Original Usage
Trusswalk 
Northern Avenue Bridge Park
Massachusetts Maritime Museum and Community Boathouse
Bridging History One Truss at a Time
Marking Time: Old Northern Avenue Bridge Clock
Idea: Just save the #@%!:) Bridge Already Northern Avenue Bridge
NABB: Northern Avenue Botanical Bridge 
Northern Avenue Bridge: Spanning Boston’s Generations
Reinvest in a Boston Icon
The Pipeline: Awakening the Swing Span
A Structural Performance
Boathouse

Restored Fixed Position Bridge Designs

Pivot Point Bridge
A New Light on Boston Harbor
Northern Avenue Bridge Restaurant
Northern Avenue Bridge Vertical Farm
Mobility History Destination: Northern Avenue Bridge
Bridge Contrapposto
The Northern Avenue Boathouse
Northern Avenue Bridge Reimagined
Reconnecting Boston
Modular Catalyst
Channel Some Fun
Bamboo Island Bridge
A City in Motion Pauses
Preserve the Northern Avenue Bridge
Steam
reNEW Northern Avenue Bridge
Draw Bridge Boston
New Northern Avenue Bridge [Member of Friends of Northern Ave Bridge]

*An independent engineer's review of bridge's field notes found that the damage is less severe than previously reported and more consistent with the information provided to the Northern Avenue Bridge Working Group last winter, which included restored options.    

Monday, May 23, 2016

Fort Point May Gathering With City Council President Wu, Future Retail Shopping & Committee

 Fort Point Neighborhood Association
 Meeting for the Neighborhood

Tuesday, May 24, 2016
 6 pm sharp
 Factory 63
 63 Melcher St.

featuring 
Boston City Council President Michelle Wu

introducing 
75 Seaport
A Hampshire House Restaurant
75 Seaport Boulevard
seeking a 7 day full liquor licesne

with a special presentation
Thomson Place Retail Redevelopment
25 & 44 Thomson Place and 47 Farnsworth
John Kiernan, Invesco
Nathan Turner, Margulies Perruzzi Architects

and

Neighborhood Updates
Fort Point Festival, Fort Point Open Studios, 
7 Channel Center & More...

*** featured restaurant: Committee***


originally posted 5.17.16

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Harpoon 5 Miler: Traffic Alert

The 15th Annual Harpoon 5-Miler to raise money for ALS research via The Angel Fund is on Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 10:00 am. The race starts at the Harpoon Brewery in the Seaport District and runs over the Summer Street bridge to East 1st Street, Farragut to East Broadway, Day Blvd. to Shore Rd. and back via East 1st Street.  

Friday, May 20, 2016

South Boston Open Studios Kicks Off Tonight

South Boston Open Studios kicks off tonight at 7 PM at the 555 Gallery with a silent auction of fine art and crafts made by South Boston artists. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the local education enrichment program at The Paraclete. Come meet the artists and enjoy refreshments from local restaurants. Preview auction items. 555 Gallery is located at 555 E. 2nd Street (between H & I).

Twice a year the artists and craftspeople of South Boston open their doors to share their work and their studios with the public. Come meet the artists and discover what’s new on the Southie art scene. South Boston Open Studios is free and open rain or shine this Saturday, May 21st and Sunday, May 22nd from noon to six o'clock.

"Judy" by Dan McCole
Art Around The Corner
South Boston Art Association's New Gallery
217 E Street (behind Neatly Nested)

The Distillery
555 East 2nd Street

King Terminal
110 K Street (between E 1st & Elkins St.)

555 Gallery
555 E. 2nd Street (between H & I)

Monday, May 16, 2016

Dot Avenue Corridor: The Strategic Plan

Join the Boston Redevelopment Authority at an Open House to celebrate the presentation of the strategic plan for the Dorchester Avenue Corridor plan area on: 


Thursday, May 19, 2016
 Open House
5:30 - 8:00 pm
Mass Bay Credit Union 
147 W. 4th Street



The PLAN: South Boston Dorchester Avenue initiative is an opportunity to think about what to “preserve, enhance, and grow” in the study area. Working with the community, over the past nine months, the City planning team developed a vision and framework for new types of uses, improved mobility and connectivity, and scale of development best suited for the future of this transit corridor. The outcome of the planning initiative is a Strategic Plan outlining guidelines to be used towards zoning that will be presented for community feedback. At this event, all are invited to review and comment on the Strategic Plan, its guidelines and recommendations. In addition, there will be opportunities to make further comments about the Strategic Plan on the BRA website after the workshop.

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Boston City Council Looks At CPA, Urban Renewal, Hover Boards & More

City Council President Michelle Wu publishes notes from Boston City Council meetings. The Boston City Council considered these items and more at their May 4th and May 11th meetings:

Appointments & Confirmations
  • Michael Dennehy, appointed Commissioner of Public Works (had been Interim Commissioner before) by Mayor Walsh
  • Tim Sullivan, appointed Interim Director of Intergovernmental Relations by Mayor Walsh
  • Zoning Commission: Joanne Keith and Catherine McDonnell were confirmed by the Council as members until October 2018 and November 2018, respectively

Urban Renewal: Councilors Linehan and Wu sent a letter on behalf of the Council to Boston Redevelopment Authority Director Golden setting expectations for the first of the new Urban Renewal oversight meetings that will take place every six months. To recap, the Council approved a six-year extension of Urban Renewal authority for the BRA, subject to additional oversight mechanisms, including a biannual review. However, rather than wait until September to see what the BRA would present, the Council wanted to set expectations now, with enough time for the BRA to prepare to meet these goals. We laid out an agenda for the September meeting that will include reporting progress toward completing the inventory of Land Disposition Agreements, setting a process to review Urban Renewal map boundaries, giving an overview of Urban Renewal projects in the pipeline, and further updates on transparency reforms. See the full letter here.

Community Preservation Act: The Council voted 12-1 (Councilor Linehan in the minority) to put the Community Preservation Act on the November 2016 ballot for voters to decide whether or not to adopt a 1% surcharge on residential and business property earmarked for affordable housing, parks/open space, and historic preservation. The proposal would exempt the first $100,000 in assessed residential value, and, additionally, low-income home owners and low- and moderate-income seniors would be completely exempt. Early projections estimate that Boston’s average homeowner would pay $23 and the city would bring in $16M-20M per year. Because the process is defined by state law, this is not a standard ordinance and it does not have to go to the Mayor for approval. Should the binding referendum pass in November, the Council will then craft another ordinance to create a committee to make recommendations on allocation of the funds. The final allocation would need Council approval each year. Several Councilors expressed support for much-needed additional funding that would leverage state matching funds. Councilor Linehan noted that while he supported the three priorities that would receive funding, his No vote was to register strong concern with the City’s reliance on property taxes to fund city services (property taxes make up 68% of the City’s revenues) and that we should look to increase funding by creating other non-property tax revenue sources.

Street Performers: Councilor Flaherty reported back on yesterday’s (5/3) hearing on Councilor LaMattina’s and Councilor Linehan’s proposed ordinance to regulate street performers with a permit process. At the hearing, the City’s Chief of Arts, Julie Burros; Chief of Property Management, John Hanlon; and Chief of Security, Bill Joyce, testified to the Council that they receive numerous calls and complaints about performers in Sam Adams Park (in front of Quincy Market). They suggested that the volume is often above the City’s allowed level and that certain performers have reported feeling bullied when they try to perform in that space. According to the representatives, regulations and scheduling could help equalize performance opportunities among groups. Several Councilors expressed concerns that additional regulation would violate free speech protections, be burdensome for artists and chill performances. The matter will remain in the Government Operations Committee for further working sessions.

Hover Boards: Councilor McCarthy late-filed a hearing order to discuss regulating or banning hover boards in Boston. He noted safety concerns about their use and also that hover boards are fire hazards that can spontaneously catch fire, such as the recent incident in the North End. The matter was referred to the Parks, Recreation and Transportation Committee for a hearing.

South End Flower Exchange Zoning: Another of the new Urban Renewal agreement terms is that the BRA will defer to Councilors if we wish to call hearings on any proposed minor modifications to Urban Renewal zoning. Invoking that proviso, Councilors Baker and Linehan asked the BRA to postpone consideration of proposed zoning changes for the South End Flower Exchange site on Albany St, which was slated for tomorrow’s meeting. The Councilors late-filed a hearing order to discuss the proposed minor modification (technically parcel 48b in the South End Urban Renewal zone) so the BRA will wait until after that to take up any modification. The matter was referred to the Planning and Development Committee for a hearing.

Substance Use Disorders: Councilor Essaibi-George reported back on progress from her recent hearing on substance use, with Administration representatives and community organizations. Several Councilors spoke about the urgency of addressing the issue, and Councilor Baker expressed concern that the system is still modeled after alcohol use disorder treatment, with 5-7 days of treatment rather than 30 days, which would be more appropriate for treating opiate addiction. The item will remain in the Homelessness, Mental Health & Recovery Committee for further discussion.

Upcoming Hearings/Working Sessions (Watch at www.cityofboston.com/citycouncil/live.asp)
  • Friday, 5/13 at 9:30AMSaturday Construction Permits & Fire Department Permit Fees (Government Ops)
  • Monday, 5/16 at 3PM, Traffic calming measures and Vision Zero Boston program (Parks, Recreation, and Transportation)
  • Wednesday, 5/18 at 5PM, BPS Water Fountains (Education)

Upcoming Budget Hearings:
  • Thursday, 5/12 at 11AM, Boston Public Health Commission
  • Monday, 5/16 at 11AM, Inspectional Services Department
  • Monday, 5/16 at 12PM, Animal Care and Control Revolving Fund
  • Tuesday, 5/17 at 11AM, BPS: Transportation
  • Tuesday, 5/17 at 2PM, BPS: Academics, Social Emotional Learning and Wellness
  • Thursday, 5/19 at 11AM, Public Facilities Department and Property Management Department
  • Monday, 5/23 at 2PM, Boston Public Works Department
  • Monday, 5/23 at 6PM, BPS: Special Education and English Language Learners
  • Tuesday, 5/24 at 11AM, Boston Center for Youth and Families and Revolving Fund
  • Tuesday, 5/24 at 3PM, Youth Engagement and Employment
  • Monday, 6/6 at 11AM, Tentative hold for BPS Carryover Hearing
  • Tuesday, 6/7 at 11AM, Tentative hold for Departmental Carryover Hearing
  • Tuesday, 6/7 at 6PM, Parks and Recreation (Offsite: Mildred Ave. Community Center, 5 Mildred Ave., Mattapan)

For complete notes on this meeting and prior Boston City Council meeting notes, visit MichelleForBoston.com or sign up to receive these notes
automatically each week by email. 

Friday, May 06, 2016

Fort Point Channel Landmarks May 2016 Meeting

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

Thursday, 12 May  2016
5:30 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. 

DESIGN REVIEW HEARING

5:45 PM
Application 16.1413 FPC 34 Farnsworth Street
Applicant: Barry Sussman, Craft Beer Cellars (Applicant)
Proposed Work: Replace vinyl banner sign in-kind with new lettering “Craft Beer
Cellars”; and installing UV film to the display windows.

6:00 PM Previously presented 2/2012; and 2/2009 for Advisory Review
Application 16.1418 FPC Summer Street, Congress Street, and Boston Wharf Road
Applicant: Deneen Crosby, Crosby|Schlessinger|Smallridge (Applicant)
Proposed Work: Reconfigure roadway and install bike lane; replace concrete
sidewalks, granite curbs, street lights, and street trees; and install new benches,
bike racks, bollards, and newspaper corrals.

6:30 PM Previously presented 3/2016
Application 16.1101 FPC 363 Congress Street
Applicant: Denis Dowdle, Madison Properties (Applicant)
Proposed Work: Install porous asphalt paving, electric vehicle parking, light poles
and a valet booth; removing the chain link fence and installing internally
illuminated bollards and a 6’-0” tall black chain link fence with barbed wire along
Congress Street; and an 8’-0” tall black chain link fence with barbed wire around
the utility equipment.

6:45 PM Previously presented 11/2015 for Advisory Review
Application 16.1414 FPC 22 Boston Wharf Road
Applicant: Daniel McGrath, Berkeley Investments, Inc. (Applicant)
Proposed Work: Construct a two-story rooftop addition with a two-story stair and
elevator bulkhead; create new window openings at the first, sixth and seventh 
floors on the secondary façade fronting Q Park; and modify one storefront
opening fronting Boston Wharf Road to accommodate a door flanked by display
windows with a transom above.

V. ADVISORY REVIEW 

7:00 PM 
7 Channel Center Street 
Applicant: Berkeley Investments, Inc. (Owner) and Handel Architects (Architect) Proposed Work: Demolish the existing three-story warehouse and construct a twenty-three story building with rooftop mechanical equipment. 

7:30 PM 
25 & 44 Thomson Place, and 47 Farnsworth Street 
Applicant: Fort Point Channel Investors, LLC (Owner) and Sean Curran (Applicant) Proposed Work: Remove infill and modify openings, create at-grade entrance(s), and install signage. 

PROJECTED ADJOURNMENT: 8:00 PM

FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION
David Berarducci, Susan Goganian, John Karoff, Michele Yeeles, Vacancy Alternates: B.K. Boley, Thomas Rodde 

Thursday, May 05, 2016

What Is Your Vision For Children's Wharf Park?

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department is looking for community feedback on the new Martin's Park being designed for Children's Wharf Park located on the Harbor Walk next to the Boston Children's Museum. Submit your feedback by taking this survey now through Friday, May 13th. 


Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the design of Children's Wharf Park, please do not hesitate to contact the project manager on record, Lauren Bryant at 617.961.3019 or by email.  

Tuesday, May 03, 2016

Have Coffee With The Mayor

Mayor Walsh and the Boston Parks & Recreation Department invite you to join them for coffee courtesy of Dunkin' Donuts. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to talk one- on-one with the Mayor and enjoy being in Medal of Honor Park. 


Tuesday, May 10, 2016
9:30 AM
Medal of Honor Park
M Street


Monday, May 02, 2016

Fort Point Fashion Event Celebrates 2nd Anniversary

In conjunction with Artweek Boston, local artist Dawna Davis returns to curate the second annual runway show showcasing mini collections from the fanciful and edgy to the functional and sophisticated. Joining Dawna this year is Darrel Razdow curator of the companion gallery exhibit, "In the Eye of the Beholder". The runway show, "Behold...The Art of Adornment", features designers from all over New England including design and production students from Lasell College. Don't miss this fun, one-of-a kind event. 

Friday, May 6, 2016
Art Exhibition Reception: 6:00 PM 
Runway Show: 7:00 PM
Midway Artist Studios
15 Channel Center Street, 1st floor
Boston, MA 02210



Runway artists are: Timna Barsheshet, Maltsya Batelman, Anna Comella, Dawna Davis, Rebecca Douglas, Nate Evans, Chloe Fimlaid, Lloyd Hall, Panna Kiss, Rebekah Miller, Amy Nguyen, Elizabeth O’Connor, Adam Pajkowski, Caitlin Reddington, Anh Sawyer, Philip Sawyer, Jenifer Stark, Sara Tchen-Susman, Barbara Wallace and special guest poet Cynthia Bargar.

"Behold...The Art of Adornment", is the grand finale of the current exhibition "In the Eye of the Beholder", a group show of more than 20 artists using various disciplines and materials express the art of adornment – some made with impeccable skill and the finest materials, and some made with humor.  "In the Eye of the Beholder" exhibiting artists are: Laia Albaladejo, Maltsya Batelman, Joel Benjamin, Nikolay Cherny, Anna Comella, Dawna Davis, Julian De La Garza, Daniel Demiller Jr, Nathan Evans, Elisa Hamilton, Judith Klein, Nina Libin, Christina Liotti, Karen McFeaters, Janet Parker, Jenne Reyburn, Amanda Richards, James Russell, Alicia Savage, Anh Sawyer, Philip Sawyer, Margaret Shepherd, Olga Shmuylovich, Souther and Sara Tchen-Susman.
Read review by Rick Winterson at South Boston Online