Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Why Is Moakley Park Important To Fort Point & The Seaport?

Moakley Park is the city's first neighborhood park to be re-imagined as part of a climate resiliency strategy to protect itself and the surrounding area. Explore how a park can be both recreational and resilient at Discover Moakley on:


Saturday, September 29, 2018
Moakley Park
10 am - 3 pm Festival
7 pm - 9 pm: The Goonies movie
R.S.V.P.
1005 Columbia Road
(walking distance of JFK/UMass red line stop)

Enjoy a fun day complete with food, beach games, skateboarding, a movie, plus a climate resiliency installation. 

Be part of the creation of the new Moakley Park vision, Take a moment to ponder how these strategies could be applied to protect the Harborwalk and to enhance current and future open green space in the Seaport and Fort Point. This free event is a part of Climate Preparedness Week  September 24 – September 30, 2018.


Monday, September 24, 2018

Welcome Back To The Neighborhood

Join FPNA
 for 
A Welcome Back
Fort Point & Seaport Neighborhood Gathering

Tuesday, September 25, 2018
6 pm - 8 pm
Capital One Café
57 Seaport Blvd


featuring

Cisco Brewers Beer Garden
65 Northern Avenue

355 Congress St
(Lucky’s Building)
proposed change of occupancy
upper floors only

Craft Beer Cellar
34 Farnsworth

&

LOOKOUT Roof Top, 
Envoy Hotel

with
Neighborhood Updates & Discussion
Northern Avenue Bridge * Fort Point Open Studios
Moakley Park & Updates from You

Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Boston City Council Looks At Gas Safety, Opioid Crisis, Voter Registration & 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 September 12 and September 19, 2018 meetings:

Today (September 19), we declared September 24-30 as Climate Preparedness Week in the City of Boston! Next week, community leaders are hosting events around greater Boston to help prepare residents for the dangerous impacts of climate change and extreme weather. For more information or to find out about activities near you, check out climatecrew.org/prepweek.

Appointments & Confirmations:

  • Kara Elliott-Ortega as the new Chief of Arts and Culture after the departure of Chief Julie Burros, effective September 3.
  • Cathleen Douglas Stone confirmed to be reappointed to the Boston Water & Sewer Commission.
Public Accommodations Protections: The Council voted (11-0, Councilors Flaherty & Zakim absent) to adopt Councilor O’Malley’s resolution in support of voting yes on Question 3 on this year’s ballot, which asks voters whether to maintain the anti-discrimination and public accommodation laws passed in 2016 to protect the rights of transgender people. This referendum is the first attempt in the country to repeal transgender public accommodation laws. Voting Yes would preserve the statewide anti-discrimination protections.

Gas Infrastructure: Councilors O’Malley, Flynn and Pressley called for a hearing to examine the safety of gas infrastructure in the city and look at our emergency preparedness measures in the face of risks from gas leaks and incidents. In the wake of what happened in Lawrence, North Andover and Andover, we need to make sure that natural gas companies have the standards to ensure the safety of neighborhoods, and that the City is taking all the necessary steps to ensure this disaster is not repeated. Specifically, the Councilors called for discussing natural gas safety features such as automatic shutoff valves, communications strategies to inform residents through multiple sources about disaster preparedness, and optimized coordination with utilities. The matter was assigned to the Committee on Environment, Sustainability & Parks for a hearing.

Opioid Crisis: Councilor Essaibi-George filed a hearing order in compliance with open meeting law as the Council and Boston State Delegation convene a working session regarding a collaborative approach to tackle the opioid crisis on Monday, September 24th, at 10AM in the Curley Room at City Hall. She noted that the meeting will be open to the public, but there will be no public testimony taken.

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.

Upcoming Hearings (In the City Council Chamber unless otherwise noted. Watch Live or At Your Leisure )

  • Thursday, 9/20, 5:30pm: Working Session re: East Boston Master Plan (Planning, Development, and Transportation)[Offsite at the East Boston YMCA, 215 Bremen Street]
  • Monday, 9/24, 10am: Working Session re: the opioid crisis (Homelessness, Mental Health & Recovery)[Curley Room]
  • Thursday, 9/27, 12pm: Hearing re: land disposition and stewardship (Planning, Development, and Transportation)
  • Monday, 10/1, 3pm: Hearing to review the Boston Public School's strategies to serve off-track youth (Education)
  • Tuesday, 10/2, 1pm: Hearing re: plans regarding reconstruction of the Long Island Bridge and the reopening of service facilities (Planning, Development, and Transportation; Homelessness, Mental Health and Recovery)
  • Our next City Council meeting will be on September 26, 2018 at 12pm
For complete notes on Boston City Council meetings, visit MichelleForBoston.com or sign up to receive these notes automatically. 

Friday, September 14, 2018

Around Fort Point This Weekend

There is a little something for everyone this weekend. Explore South Boston history. Discover Polish culture and tradition. Test your taste buds. See and buy art. Shop. Be entertained. Enjoy!

SouthBoston Street Festival
Eat, shop and be entertained by the Best of South Boston merchants, restaurants, service providers, artists and community organizations Saturday, September 15th from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on East Broadway between “I” and “L” Streets.  

The  South Boston Historical Society will run free 25-minute neighborhood trolley tours from the South Boston Street Festival. The tour will feature a stop at St. Augustine Chapel, continuing on to Old Colony and a peak at the beach, circling back to the start at I Street and Broadway.   The trolley will run  from noon until 3, last departure at 2:30 pm.

St. Augustine’s 200th Anniversary Celebration:  
All weekend!  Tours starting at 8:00 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning, and end at 8:00 pm on Friday, 7:30 pm on Saturday, and 4:00 pm on Sunday.


ATK (America's Test Kitchen) Boston EATS Cooking, Food & Wine Festival

Saturday, September 14 2pm - 5pm. Join award-winning Boston chefs for interactive tasting stations, wine, beer & spirits, book signings, main stage demos, music and much more at ATK's home in the Seaport at 21 Drydock Ave.

ATK Kids Fest  Sunday, September 15, 2018 11am - 1:30pm There will here will be live cooking and science demos, interactive tasting and activity stations, face-painting, music, and more. Demos and activities are geared towards kids ages 8 - 13, but the event is suitable for all ages.

32nd Annual South End Open Studios is Saturday, September 15th and Sunday, September 16th from 11 am to 6 pm. Visit over 200  artist plus local galleries displaying work by national and international artists. 








Polish Harvest Festival:  Sunday, September 16th from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish at 655 Dorchester Ave.  Great entertainment for the whole family!  Learn about Polish culture, heritage and traditions and enjoy the amazing homemade Polish food!!!

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Fort Point Community Invited To Friends Annual Meeting


The Board of Directors of Friends of Fort Point Channel 
invites the Community of the Fort Point Channel 
to 
2018 Annual Meeting

Thursday, September 13, 2018
6:15 pm
Boston Tea Party & Ship Museum
306 Congress St.
Eric Haydel, Board Chair

originally published 9.11.18

BSO Brass Quintet To Play Seaport Common

As heard at the Fort Point Neighborhood Association's June gathering, the Boston Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet will be performing a mix of light classics and contemporary hits on:


Thursday, September 13, 2018*
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
Seaport Common
85 Northern Ave.


Grab a picnic blanket or your most comfortable lawn chair and prepare to be entertained. Local businesses will be offering small bites and beverages. 

This free event is hosted by Janet Wu.  

*In case of rain, the event will take place on Wednesday, September 19, 2018.

originally published 9.11.18

Monday, September 10, 2018

GE Innovation Point September 2018 Construction Update

The first phase of the Harborwalk construction continues with the Harborwalk temporarily located onto the existing parking lot.  The existing Harborwalk was removed in the area of the first phase, new light bases and conduit have been installed and excavation and placement of the subbase for the Harborwalk is underway.  The concrete and landscaping associated with the first phase of the Harborwalk will be placed in September.   

·         The balance of the Harborwalk reconstruction, Phase 2, from the trailers to Necco Ct will be constructed from 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. 

·         Structural steel for the glass enclosure connecting the two buildings is being erected.  Structural steel work in the glass enclosure area will continue through the month.  Structural steel is being delivered for erection of the mezzanine level in the east building.

·         The removal of the balance of the west building roof is underway to make way for construction of the new 6th floor and roof.  A temporary roof membrane has been placed on the fifth floor concrete slab to keep the balance of the building dry while the new roof structure is constructed.  Erection of the structural steel for the west building 6th floor will commence after the existing roof removal is complete.

·         The fifth floor concrete slab in the west building has been placed.   Preparations are underway for concrete slab placement on the second, third and fourth floors of the west building.  Rough-in of interior walls and completion of interior masonry restoration will follow concrete slab placement.

·         The slab on grade was placed in the east building.  The columns have been encased in concrete below the first floor and the first floor structural slab has been placed.  Column bracing and encasement above the first floor will commence once the concrete slab has cured.  Construction of the mezzanine floor will also commence once the first floor concrete slab is accessible.

·         The timber beams, girders and deck have been restored in the opening from the freight elevator that was demolished on all floors but the fifth floor in the west building.  Completion of the remaining beams, girders and deck is underway.

·         The placement of timber beams, girders and deck around the passenger elevator and freight elevator in the east building is continuing, tying the building to the core in preparation for structural slabs to be placed on each floor of the east 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.  Electrical, mechanical and plumbing rough-in will commence in the crawlspace of the east building.

·         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.

·         Cutting and repointing of the masonry façades continues 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 after mortar has cured for the required duration.

·         The construction of the new large openings in the first floor of the west building continues.  Two have been braced with the masonry reconstruction in process while other openings are being made and braced.  The work on the large openings will continue into October. 

·         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 preparation of existing window openings in both buildings 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 exterior façade restoration work.

·         The crane is supporting removal of the roof of the west building and the erection of the structural steel for the roof and the new 6th floor.  The crane continues to support placement of timber beams and girders and placement of the mechanical and plumbing risers.  The crane will remain on site through most of the 2018 construction season.


·         The new switch and transformer in the new transformer yard were placed into operation on August 25 servicing the 253 Summer St. and Melcher St buildings.  The existing electrical transformer that remains has been de-energized and will be removed by Eversource allowing for completion of the new transformer yard.  GE will continue to work closely with Synergy, its tenants and Eversource to complete the electrical equipment revisions on Necco Ct.    

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 to sign up for updates and find the latest information or contact GE at innovation.point@ge.com.

Friday, September 07, 2018

Open Studios Season Kicks Off & Two Local Artists' Retrospectives This Weekend

Open Studios season in Boston is right around the corner, starting next weekend to be exact. 

There is no need to wait until then. Two women artists are being celebrated this weekend for their contributions to the arts.

The Distillery Gallery presents a modest retrospective of the work of sculptor, and longtime Distillery resident, Joyce McDaniel. The exhibition includes pieces from throughout the artist's career, including her early welded steel work, inspired by her upbringing in Oklahoma, to her later constructions that combined expanded steel mesh, overlaid with delicate hand-made and dressmaker pattern paper.
Opening reception: Saturday, Sept. 8, 6 - 9 PM
On view: September 8 - 29, 2018
The Distillery Gallery
516 E 2nd St. 


Ephemeral Permanence
The Gallery At 249 A honors  the life and art of Valda Zalkalns (1940--2017) in Ephemeral Permanence:

Saturday, September 8th from 2 to 9 pm 
Sunday September 9th, from 2 to 5 pm

Ms Zalkalns was a founding member of the 249 A Street Artist Cooperative. In her early life she and her family were Latvian refugees from the Soviet army, living in DP camps for eight years. She was an active artist for fifty years after her graduation from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, working in watercolors, commercial art, handmade ceramic tiles, earth art, photography, and mono prints. This retrospective includes work from each of phase of her artistic life. The Gallery At 249 A is located on the lower level of 249 A Street. 

Mark Your Calendars: 2018 Boston Open Studios: