Wednesday, August 29, 2018

State Primary Tuesday, September 4th: Many Decisions


The Massachusetts State Primary is Tuesday, September 4, 2018. Exercise your right to choose who will be on the November 6th ballot for: US Senator, US Representative, MA Governor, LT Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Senator, State Representative, District Attorney, Auditor, Register of Deeds and Clerks of Superior Court. 

Our polling location is the Condon School located at 200 D Street (behind the Labouré Center). The polls are open from 7 am - 8 pm. 

Take a sneak peak at what your sample ballot will look like. 



The last day to apply an absentee ballot is Friday, August 31st at 5 pm. 

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

315 On A Public Community Meeting

The Boston Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) will be holding a community meeting regarding a change to 315 on A, formerly know as 319 A rear, on: 


Tuesday, August 28, 2018
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
315 A Street

The meeting will discuss the proposed First Amendment to the First Amended and Restated Development Plan for 319 A Street Rear within Planned Development Area No. 69, South Boston/The 100 Acres. The sole proposed change to the completed project under this Amendment is a change of approximately 1,000 square feet of ground-floor space, former home of the Fort Point Arts Community's Made In Fort Point store, to Office use. 

Project Manager: Aisling Kerr
Public comment deadline: September 10, 2018
Comments may be submitted to Aisling via email or via the online form (scroll down to bottom of page).


originally posted 8.23.18

Monday, August 27, 2018

Boston City Council Looks At Speed, Seaport Transit, Voting, Marijuana, Mobility & 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 August 1 and August 22, 2018 meetings (NOTE: No City Council meetings on August 8 or August 15):


Speed Limits: Councilors Flynn and Baker filed for a hearing to discuss reducing the default speed limit to 20 miles per hour and how to provide better traffic calming throughout the City. Councilor Flynn noted that his district needs traffic calming and safer streets, and there have been numerous examples of how dangerous the situation is, including the recent tragedy in South Boston that neighbors are still mourning. The matter was assigned to the Committee on Planning, Development & Transportation for a hearing.

South Boston Seaport: Councilors Flynn and Flaherty filed a hearing order regarding the South Boston Seaport Waterfront and its Transit Strategic Plan. Councilor Flynn stated that he was grateful for growth in the city, but that residents deserve greater input in these plans. Councilor Flaherty emphasized the need for raised crosswalks, speed signs, and more traffic enforcement. He stated that the planning process for transportation planning in the area is supposed to be underway, and the Council needs an update. Councilor McCarthy stood to request that the issue of concurrent jurisdiction be included as well. The matter was assigned to the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation.

Voter Registration: Councilors Pressley, Edwards & Zakim called for a hearing to discuss the possibility of requiring landlords in Boston to provide voter registration information to new tenants when they sign a lease. The Councilors emphasized that nearly 64% of Bostonians are renters, and voter turnout has hovered around 30%. Other cities around the country have implemented ordinances with this requirement. The matter was assigned to the Committee on Civil Rights for a hearing.

Equity Practices for Marijuana Licensing: Councilors Pressley & McCarthy called for a hearing to discuss Boston’s current marijuana licensing process and explore best equity practices. Councilor Pressley described that the medical marijuana licensing process saw 182 applicants, with 8 ultimately selected -- no businesses owned by people of color. She called for proactive regulations to codify equity in this multibillion-dollar industry, including a social equity program and an objective, transparent selection process intentionally focused on repairing past inequities. Councilor McCarthy echoed the importance of doing right by community and residents to have opportunity as big business looks to cash in from around the country on Boston’s new market. The matter was assigned to the Committee on Small Business & Consumer Affairs.

Dockless Mobility & Electric Scooters: Councilor O’Malley filed a hearing order to discuss dockless bikes and electric scooters in Boston. He noted that replacing car trips with other mobility modes benefits drivers by reducing traffic on roads, cyclists by increasing the critical mass necessary for safe bike lanes, the City by reducing congestion, and the environment by reducing carbon emissions. The popularity of micro-mobility has increased over the years and many of these trips starting in neighboring municipalities often end in the City of Boston, causing removal challenges for the City. Other cities with both docked and dockless systems see them as complementary, each improving the urban mobility ecosystem in different but related ways. The matter has been assigned to the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation for a hearing.
                         
Appointments:
  • Boston Police Department: William Gross as Commissioner, effective August 8, 2018.
  • Neighborhood Housing Trust Fund: Mark Liu, Harry Smith, and reappointed Sister Margaret Leonard as members until January 1st, 2020
  • Boston Cultural Council: Daniel Francois, Jennifer Falk, and Justina Crawford as members until October 1st, 2020.
  • Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board: Olivia Richard, Juan Ramirez-Tapia, Yardley Sanchez, Elizabeth Dean-Clower, G. Paul Caron, and Wesley Ireland as Commissioners until August 1st, 2021.
  • Boston Employment Commission: The Mayor reappointed Charles Cofield, Deborah Wright, John Redd, Jorge Martinez, Mark Fortune, and Travis Watson until July 1st, 2020.
  • Living Wage Advisory Committee: The Mayor appointed James McNeil, and repappointed Benjamin Stuart, as members until June 1st, 2021.
  • Boston Groundwater Trust: The Mayor reappointed Janine Commerford as a trustee until March 22, 2020.
  • Boston Arts Commission: The Mayor reappointed Mark Pasnik as a member until April 1st, 2023.
Upcoming Hearings (In the City Council Chamber unless otherwise noted. Watch online)

  • Wednesday, 8/29, 11am: Hearing re: jitney license petiton from Local Motion (Planning, Development, and Transportation)
  • Thursday, 8/30, 10am: Hearing re: declaring parcels at 200 and 400 Frontage Road in South Boston as surplus and transferring to the Public Facilities Commission for disposition (Planning, Development, and Transportation).
  • Thursday, 8/30, 1pm: Hearing re: Outreach, opportunities and challenges facing Veterans and Military Families in the City of Boston (City, Neighborhood Services and Veteran and Military Affairs)
Next City Council meeting is September 12, 2018.

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

Friday, August 24, 2018

Senator Nick Collins To Host Office Hours Friday

Did you know our neighborhood is made up of city, federal and state property owners in addition to private owners? I know you know we have elected officials from all three levels of government. State Senator Nick Collins will be holding office hours today, Friday, August 24, 2018 from 2 pm to 5 pm at the South Boston Public Library.  

Come bring ideas or concerns regarding public transportation, public safety, development on State owned land such as the BCEC, MBTA Red line testing on Track 61, the future of the Northern Avenue Bridge or anything else on your mind. If you have never met the Senator, he invites you to stop by to say hello. 

The library is located at 646 E. Broadway between I and K Streets (across from the Paramount and Stop & Shop).

Tuesday, August 14, 2018

The People's Harbor: A Happening In A Street Park

Artist For Humanity invites you to participate in the culminating exhibition of "The People's Harbor," a series of community-based collaborative art experiences produced by Artists For Humanity's teens and mentors this summer. Add your creative voice to the series’ final large-scale painting. 
August 16, 2018
5 pm - 7 pm
A Street Park
141 A Street
Artists For Humanity (AFH) is but one of a larger consortium of organizations working to increase access to and sustain Boston's beautiful waterfront. For more information about the collaborative initiative click here.
 

Monday, August 13, 2018

Two Local Art Organizations Are Making Magic This Summer

The Distillery Gallery presents Make Reality Magic Again, A Retrospective Exhibition of the Voyeuges Series & Public Premiere Screening of Episode III. Reception and screening are Thursday, August 16, 2018 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. 

Voyeuges involves a cameraman and musical ensemble observing the street from a row of second story windows, creating together cinematic footage and an improvised musical score in response to either the happenstance occurrences on the block, or improvised public performances and installations by members of the ensemble. The footage and accompanying live music are cut down to a short movie with a hint of narrative arc. The mood leans naturally towards mystery and suspense, and sways from feelings of daydreaming to mundanity to absurdity, madness and back again - a weird and beautiful form of movie entertainment.

Make Reality Magic Again is on view through August 18th.  The Distillery Gallery is located at 516 E 2nd St.

The Fort Point Theatre Channel takes you on tour with Jose Rivera's Cloud Tectonics
Cloud Tectonics is a humorous time-bending love story written by Academy Award-nominated José Rivera. Celestina, a hitchhiker whose pregnancy is lasting over two years, and Aníbal, a baggage handler at LAX, meet in the rain for an unforgettable and life-altering encounter in the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic Los Angeles. Sometimes our paths are meant to overlap and diverge simultaneously.

These special workshop performances feature live music and Foley effects by L.A.-based musician Olivia Brownlee and is presented by actor/director Jaime Carrillo in association with Fort Point Theatre Channel. 



August 14 @ 7:30 pm
The Fort Point Room at Atlantic Wharf
290 Congress Street, Boston
August 17 and 18 @ 7:30 pm
Boston Playwrights' Theatre
949 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston

August 21 @ 7:30 pm *

The August 14, 17, and 18 performances are free.
To reserve your seats, please email Jaime@fortpointtheatrechannel.org.

Click here for tickets to the August 21 performance at Gloucester Stage.

Cast: Jadira Figueroa (Celestina), Jaime Carrillo (Anibal), &
Fernando Barbosa (Nelson) 
Musicians: Nick Thorkelson, Mitchel Ahern, Anaís Azul, Francis Xavier Norton,
Luz Lopez, & Fernando Barbosa

REMINDER: Channel Dance continues from 11 am to 1 pm on August 19, 2018 at Waterfront Plaza (290 Congress St) across the Channel from the Boston Children's Museum.  Story Dance returns September 2, 2018 at the same time and location. All events are free and open to kids and families. 

Saturday, August 11, 2018

It Is Not Too Late To Dine Out

Dine Out Boston, popularly known as Restaurant Week, enters its final week of 2018 Monday, August 12th through Friday, August 17th. It is not too late to sample area restaurants at special prices. Choose your favorite or try some place new among award winning restaurants in Boston, Cambridge and the suburbs.

Participating Fort Point and Seaport restaurants include: 75 on Courthouse Square*, Bastille Kitchen*, Blue Dragon, Babbo Pizzeria, Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House, Gather*, Mastro's Ocean Club*, Menton** Miel, Morton's The Steakhouse, Ocean Prime**, Rosa Mexicano, Sapore Ristorante + Bar, Smith & Wolensky, Sportello, Strega Waterfront, Tamo, The Smoke Sshop BBQ and Tuscan Kitchen.

Chefs design prix fixe menus for lunch and dinner. Each participating restaurant selects ONE of the three price options. Lunch prices are $15/$20/$25. Dinner prices are $28/$33/$38.



For a complete list of participating restaurants, search Dine Out BostonLast day to participate is Friday, August 17th. 

*Dinner only
** Lunch only

Wednesday, August 08, 2018

South Boston Traffic Safety Meeting

There will be a public South Boston Traffic Safety Meeting on:


Thursday, August 9th
6 PM
Tynan Elementary School
650 E 4th St.
(accessible from bus routes 7, 9 and 11)

Come speak with Public Safety and Transportation Officials as well as the elected officials about traffic safety improvements in South Boston.

Sponsored By:
Mayor Martin Walsh, Congressman Stephen Lynch, Senator Nick Collins, Clerk of Courts Michael Donovan, City Councilor Ed Flynn and City Councilor Michael Flaherty

Questions/Concerns contact the Mayor Of Neighborhood Services South Boston Liaison John Alison at 617-635-2680 or via email.


originally published 8.6.18

Fort Point Landmarks August Meeting

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

Thursday, August 9, 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

18.1507 FPC 374 Congress Street
Applicant: Bill Whitlock, Whitlock Design Group for Pink Taco
Proposed Work: At Congress St. façade; install channel and flag signage.
At the corner of Boston Wharf Road and Congress Street; install
marquee signage.

II. REVIEW and RATIFICATION OF JUNE 14, 2018 HEARING MINUTES

III. STAFF UPDATES

PROJECTED ADJOURNMENT: 6:30 PM

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


originally posted 8.1.18

What Have You Spied At Martin's Park?

While walking by Martin's Park over the last few weeks, what did you spy with your eagle eye?: 
  • Paving around Sleeper Street beside and in front of the garage?
  • New Bridges: one bridge abutment poured in concrete, the other being formed now?
  • Pile work started along the Harborwalk?
  • The majority of the playground equipment delivered to the lay down yard?
  • Concrete sidewalk sample panels poured?
  • Locust posts delivered?
If you saw all of the items above, you have a keen sense of observation and a good memory.

Bridge Abatement 
Plaza Paving

Mini  Pile Installation

Locust Posts

Here is what to keep an eye out for in the next 2-3 weeks:

Granite Quarry Stones
  • Continued work along Sleeper Street and on the garage, including curbing, paving, etc. 
  • The majority of the work over the next few weeks will be installing the piles along the Harborwalk
  • The second bridge abutment will be poured with concrete
  • Electrical work
  • Prepping the play ship for installation
  • Form work for the amphitheater
  • Granite stones (from the quarry) will begin to be delivered


If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Lauren Bryant with Boston Parks & Recreation Department. 

Monday, August 06, 2018

GE Moves Forward On Harborwalk & Necco Reconstruction

The first phase of Harborwalk construction began with relocation of the Harborwalk onto the existing parking lot, removal of the existing Harborwalk lights, abandonment of wells in the Harborwalk and mobilization of materials.  The Harborwalk will be reconstructed in phases.  Demolition of the existing Phase 1 Harborwalk and excavation for the new Phase 1 Harborwalk light locations (the existing lights will be refurbished for re-use) and sidewalk will begin in early August, followed by construction of new light foundations and new sidewalk.    

The balance of the Harborwalk reconstruction, Phase 2, from the trailers to Necco Ct will be constructed from mid-September through the end of 2018.  The temporary walkway for that phase has already been constructed.  Landscaping and certain plantings will be completed in the early spring of 2019 to meet planting season requirements of the plants. 

The first-floor concrete deck in the west building has been placed. The slab for the lobby area between the buildings within the future glass enclosure has been placed.  The existing first floor of the west building has been removed providing a new “first” floor space that showcases the timber frame construction and is over 17 feet tall.  The columns have been braced with the lower cast iron portions of the columns wrapped in concrete.  Preparations continue for concrete placement on the fifth floor of the west building which will be placed in August. 

Preparations continue for the slab on grade in the east building.  All remaining underground utilities have been completed and the grade beams supporting depressed slabs have been placed.  Reinforcing steel for the concrete encasement of the columns will complete shortly.   

The timber beams, girders and deck have been restored through the fifth floor of the west building, tying the existing floors back into the concrete core.  The original stairs in the NW corner of the building have been removed and were replaced with beams and timber decking to close up the opening from the stair removal.  The opening from the freight elevator that was demolished is being closed up on each floor with timber beams, girders and decking. 

The welding of clips and support angles on the east core required to support the beams and timber decking is nearing completion.  Placement of timber beams, girders and decking tying the building back to the core in the east building is underway.   

Construction of the masonry walls of the freight elevator in the east building is complete and the remaining core shaft wall is being placed as the timber deck replacement advances up through the building. 

Initial electrical, mechanical and plumbing rough-in continues in the crawlspace and on floors of the west building.  Construction of new ductwork and piping risers continues in the west building which is being coordinated with construction of the core’s interior masonry walls.

The pile cap for the new column to support the bridge across Necco Ct is complete and is protected by a temporary plywood enclosure.  Fabrication of materials for the bridge reconstruction is commencing.

Brick masonry restoration mock-ups are complete for each step in the masonry restoration process.  Cutting and repointing of the masonry façades are underway on both buildings.  Repair and replacement of damaged brick is performed as the restoration progresses.  Mast climbers will continue to be moved around the building as masonry restoration progresses.  Cutting and repointing of masonry will continue for several months.  Washing of the facades will be performed once the masonry restoration is completed and mortar has cured for the required duration.

Masonry openings for the new windows on the 4th and 5th floors on the south side of the east building will be completed when masonry restoration moves to the south façade of the east building.  The first of the large openings in the first floor has been cut into the west building.  As bracing and reconstruction of the opening continues additional large openings will be made on the south facades.  The preparation of existing window openings is underway to restore masonry and provide the blocking necessary to receive the new windows.  Masonry repairs of the interior walls is performed when weather precludes façade restoration work.

The crane continues to support placement of timber beams and girders as well as placement of the mechanical and plumbing risers.  Steel erection will commence in early August with erection of the steel for the glass enclosure between the two buildings.  The crane will also support removal of the roof of each building and the erection of the structural steel for the mechanical spaces and the new 6th floor.  The crane will remain on site through most of the 2018 construction season.

The ductbank from the telephone manhole on Necco St. into the building is complete.  GE will continue to work closely with the owners of Necco Ct. and Necco St. to maintain access during completion of this work.

Electrical ductbank installation at the west end of Necco Ct. will be completed in sequence with Eversource work to replace the transformers.  A new switch and transformer have been energized by Eversource above elevation 19.5 in the newly constructed transformer yard.  GE is working closely with Synergy, its tenants and Eversource to coordinate the changes to electrical service in the 253 Summer St. and Melcher St. buildings.    

GE Innovation Point Construction updates occur about monthly in frequency or when there are major transitions in the construction process. Visit 
www.gereports.com/boston for the latest information or contact GE at innovation.point@ge.com.

Friday, August 03, 2018

Three Chances To Meet Councilor Flynn on Saturday

City Councilor Ed Flynn will hold Neighborhood Office Hours at three locations throughout South Boston this Saturday, August 4, 2018 including Capital One Cafe on Seaport Boulevard. Councilor Flynn will be at:

Caffe Nero, 416 West Broadway from 8:30am-9:30am

Capital One Cafe, 57 Seaport Blvd from 2:30pm - 3:30pm 

South Boston Public Library, 646 East Broadway, from 4:00pm-5:00pm. 

Residents are encouraged to stop by and bring constituent and neighborhood issues directly to Councilor Flynn and his staff. 

Wormwood Park Closed Monday

On Monday, August 6, 2018 the United States Postal Service will be removing some diseased trees from Wormwood Park. The work will start around 7:30 am and is anticipated to be completed in one day. Although the work will be performed from the USPS parking lot side, the park will be closed to ensure public safety. Neighbors are encouraged to use Binford Street Park or A Street Park instead. 

Wormwood Park came into existence due to the dedicated efforts of a group of Fort Point neighbors during the Central Artery project and is located on USPS land. 

Neighbors remain an integral part of the park's care and enjoyment. The Fort Point Neighborhood Association organizes plantings in the park during the City's Love Your Block spring program. If you are interested in being part of a Wormwood Park Gardening Group, please contact FPNA