About The Neighborhood This Week

updated 8/20/25 with Artists For Humanity's Big Summer Show on August 21st. 

There are a lot of options for things to do this evening. On August 20th, Channelside/Related Beal is in front of ConCom for the proposed floating dock installation. This coming Sunday is a free concerts. Details are below:

8/19: Boston Civic Design Commission Subcommittee Meeting(s) at 5pm. P&G Gillette Rezoning Master Plan is on the Agenda A at 6pm.

8/19: 370-401 D Street PDA Amendment Public Meeting at 6pm. The Project Site consists of approximately 5.6 total acres of land owned by MCCA for a new fifteen (15) story. In addition, the Proponent seeks to modify the existing layout of the Element Hotel by increasing layout efficiency, resulting in up to an additional 20 keys within the existing volume and area of the structure. This modification will result in an amendment to the original PDA phase, increasing the maximum key count to up to 530 rooms within the Aloft and Element Hotels, up from the originally approved 510 rooms

8/19: Updating the Groundwater Conservation Overlay District | Public Meeting at 6pm to present  proposed updates for the Groundwater Conservation Overlay District (GCOD). These updates consolidate and simplify the existing zoning text for GCOD, and remove some regulatory barriers for ‘Substantial Rehabilitation projects.’ 

8/19: SUPilates by SUP YO Adventures at 6:30pm at the Fort Point Pier. Parking is available at Channelside. Related programs also at Fort Point Pier include SUPYoga and paddleboarding. 

8/20: Conservation Commission (ConCom) Public Meeting at 6pm. 

Item #7: Notice of Intent for DEP File No. 006-2063 and BOS File No. 2025-028 from Epsilon Associates, Inc., on behalf of Channelside Acquisitions, LLC, for the proposed installation of a pile supported ramp and a pile anchored floating dock in the Fort Point Channel at 244-284 A Street, South Boston Waterfront, MA  (LUO, LSCSF, Coastal Bank, 100ft Buffer to Coastal Bank, 25ft Waterfront Area).

8/21: Artists For Humanity's Big Summer Show from 4pm to 7pm at AFH EpiCenter, 100 West 2nd. St. Join AFH teens showcasing their work from the summer session at the biggest art and design sale of the year!

8/24: FPAC Harbor Harmonies Concert: Swinging in the Summertime, a Hot Club Gypsy Jazz Concert, from 3pm to 4pm at the Fort Point Room at Atlantic Wharf, 280 Congress Street. Get your free ticket. 

originally published 08.19.25

Happenings About The Neighborhood This Week: Gillette, Article 80, Fish & Farm & Family Fun Day

updated 6/17/25 with 15 Necco's June 4th Floating Wetland presentation. 

6/3: Boston Civic Design Commission Monthly Meeting at 5pm. Agenda includes the Gillette Redevelopment Master Plan PDA, referred for initial review and recommendation by the Planning Department Review Committee.

6/4: 15 Necco's Floating Wetland and Watersheet Activation Community Gathering from 6pm to 8pm at the Community Work Lounge. The wetland is part of 15 Necco’s commitment to provide meaningful public benefits to the Fort Point neighborhood and watersheet.  Come give your feedback around the types of events and programs that could center around this newly proposed attraction to the Fort Point Channel. View Presentation.

6/4: Conservation Commission Public Hearing at 6pm. Agenda includes Request for Determination of Applicability to conduct two (2) soil test borings to support geotechnical analysis informing the Fort Point Channel Infrastructure Project at 20 Gillette Park, South Boston Waterfront, MA.

6/5: Article 80 Modernization: Improving Development Review | Public Meeting at 6pm Learn the latest on the Article 80 Modernization project, early actions to improve the Article 80 process and draft zoning amendments to correct outdated language & introduce changes to the Boston Civic Design Commission procedures. Comment deadline June 15th. 

6/6: Improving Development Review | Office Hour at 12pm.  Staff will be available to answer questions, go through project material, or discuss future engagement opportunities. There will also be an Office Hour on June 10 at 5pm. 

6/7: Fish and Farm Market Opening Day from 9:30 am to 1:30pm at Boston's Fish Pier (Seaport Blvd & D St.) featuring fresh food and specialty items from local farms and local fisherman. Free 30 minute parking for market customers. The seasonal market will run every Saturday. 

6/7: 14th Annual Southie Family Fun Day returns courtesy of the MOMS Club of South Boston from 12pm to 5pm at DCR Marine Park (corner of E Broadway & Farragut). Free activities, performances, snacks and surprises. The Southie Family Fun Day will be held rain or shine.

originally published 06.03.25

Looking To Get More Involved In Your Neighborhood?

updated 11/19/24 with tonight’s Boston Police Department COMPSTAT Meeting.

Lots going on in and about the neighborhood in November. Looking to get more engaged in your neighborhood? Here are some upcoming opportunities:

11/12: Boston Civic Design Commission Monthly Public Meeting at 5pm with greetings from the new Chief of Planning Kairos Shen.

11/12: 244 – 284 A Street Watersheet Activation and Floating Dock Virtual Public Meeting from 5:30pm to 7pm.  A presentation will be followed by a Q&A session.

11/13: City Council Committee on Ways and Means Hearing on Docket #1002, A hearing to create a Boston Development Fund in the Planning Department at 2pm.The creation of a $100 million development fund, using a one-time appropriation from the city’s “free-cash” balance, would be targeted at boosting development across the city; and allow developers to tap into the fund for four reasons:

• city granting lower-than-market-rate loans targeted at building already permitted housing units
• city purchasing permitted-but-unbuilt IDP units as forever-deeply-affordable units owned by the city
• city matching a development’s coastal resilience effort up to $1,000,000
• city purchasing retail vacancies in unbuilt office buildings to use as civic space such as libraries, senior centers, day cares, and community centers (similar use of Chapter 91 public spaces).

For more details, view the docket.

11/13: Boston University's Community Discussion & Research regarding the Gillette Redevelopment at 6:30pm at 105 W. First St, and hosted by FPNA and West Broadway Neighborhood Association. 

11/14: Fort Point Channel Landmark District Commission Public Meeting at 6pm

11/14: Blue Bike Station Expansion Virtual Public Meeting at 6pm

11/18: Design Vision Office Hours from 9:30am to 12pm. The Planning Department in partnership with the community has compiled a draft report on a Design Vision for Boston. The draft report includes design principles and values meant to help guide the future of design and development by helping us build what we value, center people, and uplift diverse lived experiences in Boston. Join to learn more and share your feedback on the draft report. This is the first virtual office hours event and is open to the public.

11/19: Boston Police Department COMPSTAT Public Meeting from  6-7:30 PM at Gillette Headquarters, 1 Gillette Park.  COMPSTAT has traditionally been an internal meeting where Boston Police Department (BPD) leaders discuss current crime trends and patterns in all of the City’s districts and coordinate planning to strategically address them. In 2023, the BPD began incorporating the community as a key partner in these efforts, to improve the BPD’s work to address the continually changing needs of the communities they serve. This meeting will focus on the South Boston community. For more info, please contact the BPD C-6 Community Service Office at 617-343-4747.

11/19: Boston Harbor Now Harbor Use Forum Celebrating 40 Years of Harborwalk with Harborwalk co-founder Lorraine Downey from 6pm to 7:30pm at the Fort Point Room at Atlantic Wharf and via zoom.

11/20: Design Vision Office Hours from 3:30pm to 7pm. The Design Vision draft report includes design principles and values meant to help guide the future of design and development by helping us build what we value, center people, and uplift diverse lived experiences in Boston. Join us to learn more and share your feedback on the draft report. This is the 2nd virtual office hours event and is open to the public.

 UPCOMING DEADLINES

November 18: MA ResilientCoasts survey due. ResilientCoasts initiative is to develop a comprehensive, state-wide strategy for coastal resilience in the Commonwealth. Scroll down to the middle of the page for meeting presentations and videos.

November 27: 263 Summer Street PDA amendment and PDA Development Plan comments due.  

November 27: 263 Summer Street Chapter 91 amendment to license #9342b to perform stormwater improvements and change the use of an 8-story building with basement as follows: convert basement management office into a gym, convert basement storage area to restaurant or retail use, continue retail and restaurant use on first floor, and convert floors 2 through 8 from commercial office to residential use with an associated roof deck located on Filled Tidelands comment deadline. Enter  #24-WWAR-0083-APP into EEA Portal. Send comments to frank.taormina@mass.gov 

November 30: Blue Bike Station Expansion survey due.

December 15: Action Plan to Improve Boston’s Development Review Process (Article 80) comments and survey due. View Presentation, public meeting recording and take survey. 

originally posted 11.12.24

A Look At Happenings About The Neighborhood Starting Tonight

Check your calendars for these neighborhood happenings.

The City Planning Department released their Article 80 Modernization Phase 2 Draft Recommendations Feedback Report. 

9/10: Boston Civic Design Commission at 5pm. Agenda includes Reserved Channel (South Boston Waterfront) and Article 80 modernization presentation to the Commission. 

9/12: Fort Point Channel Landmark Commission September Meeting cancelled due to lack of quorum. We are looking for Commissioners, residents and architects. Please email fpnaboston@gmail.com for details. 

9/12: BPDA (BRA & EDIC) Board Meeting: Agendas published 48 hours beforehand.

9/14: Ready Boston Field Day from 11 am - 3pm, part of National Preparedness Month. Learn how to prepare for emergencies and disasters and leave with safety tips, giveaways, and life-saving skills.

9/19: Stone Living Lab Seminar: Commonwealth Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer from 2pm to 3pm to hear about climate resilience throughout the state.

9/19: Gillette Site Tour & Community Workshop from 5pm to 7pm to reimagine 31 acres along the Fort Point Channel in advance of filing a master plan.  Rain date/date for those unable to attend on Thursday is 9/21 from 10am to 12pm. 

9/23: Save the Harbor virtual MBC Metropolitan Beaches Climate Workshop at 10am featuring tools, experts and advocates to increase resiliency, while preserving access to our public beaches. Register.

9/24: FPNA Neighborhood Gathering from 6pm to 8pm. Details TBA.

9/25: Boston Harbor Use Forum- Reserved Channel Development from 8:30am to 10am. The project will  reimagine a 42-acre business park along the west side of the Reserved Channel. 

9/25 WEBINAR: BERDO Compliance for Condominium Associations | Boston.gov from 6pm to 8pm. At this event, the Environment Department will also announce the release of the new BERDO Compliance Handbook for Condo Associations.

9/27: Deployables Day, a citywide training exercise on temporary flood protection plus a resource fair for property owners still considering temporary flood protection, from 10am to 3pm. 

Happenings This Week & Next Plus Opportunities For Feedback

3/18: updated with cancelation of Citrus & Salt Abutter's Meeting. New date tbd.

3/12: South Boston Innovation Campus Joint Impact Advisory Group and Public Meeting  to review NPC for Building 2 at 2 Harbor St. within the South Boston designated port area (DPA). at 6pm. View NPC. 

3/13: AIR POLLUTION CONTROL COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING at 2:30pm Application for a Modified South Boston Parking Freeze Permit from Howard Stein Hudson on behalf of Channelside Acquisitions, LLC ( 244–284 A St) for 345 commercial spaces and 70 residential excluded spaces in a garage.

3/13: SAVR / 150 Seaport Blvd Abutter's Meeting at 7pm. Proposal: Outdoor seating addition of 54 seats. View meeting recording and enter password: G22U0nX^

3/14: Wetlands and Waterways (Chapter 91) climate resilience draft regulations office hours from 1:30-4:00pm. Register. There will be a final office hours on April 3 from 1:30-4:00pm. Register. Please note that questions are being requested in advance. See the bottom of the page for details*. 

3/14: BPDA Board Meeting 

3/18: CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS WORKING SESSION ON DOCKET #0257,  A working session to discuss an Ordinance creating the City of Boston Planning Department, at 10am.

3/19: Boston Civic Design Committee meetings at 5pm: 232 A St. is on the agenda B. To receive agenda notifications, sign up (at bottom of the page). 

3/19: Citrus & Salt / Abutter's Meeting at 6pm. Proposal: Patio seating Cancelled and will be rescheduled.

3/21: Sign Code Modernization Kickoff Public Meeting at 6pm. BPDA staff will give an overview of the project’s scope, discuss the history of Boston’s signage and sign regulations, and highlight some of the issues hindering the City’s sign code today. The presentation will be followed by an open discussion session to ask questions about the project and collaboratively investigate what the future of Boston’s signage should look like.  View Sign Code Modernization zoning initiative.

3/22:  CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS WORKING SESSION ON DOCKET #0257, a working session to discuss an Ordinance creating the City of Boston Planning Department, at 10am.

3/23: Revelry and Revolution: An Evacuation Day Harbor Cruise from 1pm to 3pm by the National Park Service, DCR and Boston Harbor Now.  Limited tickets available.

Comment Deadlines

3/12: EEA#8161  2 Harbor St Building 2 PNC (Project Commencement Notice) comment deadline  to MEPA analyst alexander.strysky@mass.gov.

3/25:  EEA#16746 232 A Street DEIR comments due to MEPA analyst Nicholas.Perry@mass.gov

3/25: EEA#16746 Reserved Channel Special Review Procedure Request comments due to MEPA analyst alexander.strysky@mass.gov

3/28: EEA# 15985 Commonwealth Pier Revitalization NPC Comment Deadline Alexander Strysky

4/30: Extended Public Comment Period closes at 5pm for all MassDEP climate resilience draft regulations.

• Send Waterways Resilience comments to dep.waterways@mass.gov with Waterways Resilience Comments in the subject line.
• Send Wetlands Resilience comments to dep.wetlands@mass.gov with Wetlands-401 Resilience Comments in the subject line.

********

*MassDEP Office Hours: Participants are encouraged to submit questions about the Wetlands/401WQC regulations, Stormwater Handbook, and/or Waterways regulations in advance of the session(s) you plan to attend.

• Questions submitted in advance (preferably at least one week) of an Office Hours session will be prioritized. “Live” questions will be considered, as time permits. 
• MassDEP may choose not to address questions at these sessions if not received sufficiently in advance or if the question requires extensive evaluation.
• Please refrain from asking site-specific questions related to projects you may be involved in.
• Submit questions here.

originally published  03.12.24

About The Neighborhood This Week & Next

Here is what's going on about the neighborhood the weeks of April 18th and  April 24th.

April 18: Boston Civic Design Commission at 5pm. Fan Pier Parcel H scheduled for 6pm.

April 19 CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON CITY SERVICES AND INNOVATION TECHNOLOGY HEARING on  DOCKET #0146 at 2pm.  A hearing regarding the coordination of construction and utility permits.

April 19: Summer Street Pilot Open House Presentation from 5-8pm. Open House runs from 5pm-6:30pm and the presentation with Q&A takes place from 6:30pm-8pm at the Tynan School, 650 E 4th St. Will the South Boston neighborhood come together on the Summer Street Pilot connecting us all from from E 1st St. to South Station?

April 20: CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS WORKING SESSION ON DOCKET #0137 at 10am. A working session to discuss amending the City of Boston Code, Ordinances to establish protections for the City of Boston tree canopy. The public is invited to listen in. Public comment will not be taken at the working session.

April 21 - 28: Arbor Week with Speak for the Trees. For the second year, Seaport by WS Development is partnering with Speak For The Trees to bring a variety of activities to the Seaport in celebration of Arbor Week!

April 22: Park Serve Day at Moakley Park and Carson Beach at 9am. A special edition Moakley Park Clean-up celebrating Park Serve Day and Earth Day with the MA DCR.

April 24: Tips on Buying an Artist Live/work Coop or Condo at 5:30pm at FPAC Assemblage, 70 Sleeper St. across from the Barking Crab.

April 25: FPNA Neighborhood Drop In 6pm - 7pm at CRISPR Therapeutics, 105 W 1st St.

April 26- 28: 2023 Stone Living Lab Conference: Nature-Based Coastal Resilience in Urban Settings. 

Fan Pier Parcel H at BCDC Tuesday Night

The Boston Civic Design Commission (BCDC) will be holding their monthly meeting

Tuesday, February 07

5pm

via zoom

via phone by calling 669-254-5252 and entering meeting ID: 160 368 5044

BCDC meetings discuss the public realm impacts of major projects currently being reviewed by the BPDA. Commission meetings are open to the public. To view a project presentation to the Commission, please visit the project's timeline through the related project link on this page.

The agenda is as follows (times may be approximate and agenda is subject to change):

5:00 PM – 5:05 PM Call to Order

Approval of the January 2, 2023 Monthly Meeting Minutes 

Approval of January 10, 17, 24, and 31, 2023 Design Committee Minutes 

5:05 PM – 5:10 PM Presentation of BCDC evolution

5:10 PM – 5:20 PM Presentation of the 2022 BCDC Annual Report

Report from Review Committee

Summary report on projects followed by vote to review later in the meeting

5:20 PM – 5:25 PM 155 North Beacon Street, Brighton

                                 Fan Pier Parcel H, South Boston Waterfront

Report from Design Committee (20 minutes each)

Votes

5:25 PM – 5:45 PM 3390 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain

5:45 PM -  6:05 PM Olmsted Village, Mattapan

Presentation to the Commission (25 minutes each)

Informational presentation preceded by a short introduction from Boston Planning & Development Agency staff

6:05 PM – 6:30 PM 155 North Beacon Street, Brighton: New life science complex

6:30 PM – 6:55 PM Fan Pier Parcel H, South Boston Waterfront

Parcel H within the Fan Pier Planned Development Area (PDA 54) is a residential building with ground and second floor facilities of public accommodation including civic/cultural space.

Fan Pier Parcel H

6:55 PM – 7:00 PM Staff Update on BPDA Design Vision

All are welcome to attend

What You Need To Know This Week

Seaport Square planning is nearing completion. Make sure it is adding what you want to the neighborhood by attending tonight's (12/5) public meeting. The City is working on a permanent outdoor dining program and wants your feedback Monday (12/5) or Tuesday (12/6) night. On Wednesday night (12/7), there is a community meeting for another Life Sciences building project in Fort Point's historic district. The Fort Point Channel Landmark District Commission is holding their December meeting Thursday (12/8) night. If you are a Fort Point resident or business property owner who is interested in serving as a Fort Point Landmark Commissioner, please contact FPNA.

December 5: The Boston Planning & Development  Agency (BPDA) is hosting a Seaport Square Public Meeting at 6pm to discuss Notice of Project Change (NPC) and amendments to the Planned Development Area (PDA) including project impacts and mitigation. Attend to find out what remains to be be built and give feedback on what is needed to create a complete neighborhood. Will it be climate resilient, reduce urban heat and protect the neighborhood from flooding? Will it include civic, cultural spaces? A park? Affordable Housing? Residential homes separate from Life Sciences Labs? How many more labs do we need? Register. Also, see December 6th for update at BCDC.

Seaport Square Proposed Changes in blue

December 5: Outdoor Dining Listening Session at 6pm to hear from residents and restaurants on tbe goals of a permanent outdoor dining program with updates from the City. Register. This listening session will be repeated December 6th. Send questions/comments to outdoordining@boston.gov

December 6:  Outdoor Dining Listening Session at 6pm to hear from residents and restaurants on tbe goals of a permanent outdoor dining program with updates from the City. Register. This listening session is a repeat the one held December 5th. 

December 6: Seaport Square is at the Boston Civic Design Commission (BCDC) to provide an update on changes to building uses, location, and open space in the PDA and NPC.

December 7: 7 Channel Center Public/IAG Meeting at 6pm The proposed project is to redevelop an existing historic 3 story building into a 9 story office/labs Life Sciences building. This project requires a Notice of Project Change and an amended Planned Development Area. What is the right use, residential or labs? Public safety concerns? What about ground floor use to activate the street and provide a service to neighbors?

7 Channel Center Life Sciences Labs Proposal

December 8: Fort Point Channel Landmarks District Commission December meeting at 6pm. View agenda.  

244-284 A Street At BCDC Tuesday Night

updated 6/24/21 with presentation below:

244 -284 A Street (former site of Gillette Channelside parking lot) will be presented to the Boston Civic & Design Commission (BCDC) on:

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

5 pm

View Presentation

BCDC will be reviewing the architecture, height and massing, design of streets, sidewalks, landscaping, and public parks. In the latest version, the building facades have changed a little, (two of the three building heights still exceed zoning), the parks' designs depart from the Sasaki park concept developed with the community during the 100 Acres Open Space process which created priority themes of urban wilderness, community living room and flexible/outdoor gallery space.

If you are unable to attend, you may submit comments to Elizabeth Stiefel at the BCDC to share with the Commission. 

The Boston Civic Design Commission (BCDC) provides a forum for the general public and professional design community to participate in the shaping of the city's physical form and natural environment. They are charged with critiquing the aesthetics of proposed development projects and ensuring that the projects have a positive impact on the city's public realm. 

Boston Civic Design Commission Expands To 13

The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) today announced the expansion of the Boston Civic Design Commission (BCDC) with the appointment of two additional members by Mayor Martin J. Walsh. Jonathan Evans of MASS Design Group and Mimi Garza Love of Utile will fill newly created positions, and Kathy Kottaridis of Historic Boston Inc. will replace the seat being vacated by the retirement of Paul McDonough as the member representing expertise in historic preservation. Read about the Commissioners. 

“By expanding the Boston Civic Design Commission, we are continuing to build on our work to create a more inclusive, equitable BPDA and City of Boston,” said BPDA Director Brian Golden. “I welcome Jonathan, Mimi, and Kathy, and look forward to the unique perspectives and experience they will bring to our work. I thank Paul McDonough for his many years of valuable service to the Commission and Boston’s built environment and public realm.” 

The expansion of the Commissioners from 11 to 13 will help bring new perspectives to the BCDC and responds to the ongoing pace of development in Boston by helping ensure that there is a quorum at all meetings. Under the change, at least seven of the 13 Commissioners must be professionals in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, or urban design. 

The BCDC, managed by the BPDA’s Urban Design Department, is charged with examining the aesthetics of proposed development projects and ensuring that the projects have a positive impact on Boston's public realm. This includes the review of large projects over 100,000 gross square feet, projects of special significance, civic projects, and district design guidelines. 

The BPDA held a public meeting on October 22, 2020 to discuss amending Article 28 of the Boston Zoning Code to expand the number of Commissioners, and the text amendment was approved by the BPDA Board in November 2020, and by the Boston Zoning Commission in December 2020. 

244 - 284 A St @ Boston Civic Design Commission Tuesday

Boston Civic Design Commission invites you to a meeting on 244 - 284 A Street (former Gillette parking lot site) on:

Tuesday, November 24, 2020
5 pm

Register in advance for this Zoom meeting: bit.ly/BCDCNov24 or participate by calling 833 568 8864 (Toll Free) with Meeting ID: 160 198 9859.

5:00 PM: 244-284 A Street, South Boston

6:00 PM: Dorchester Bay City, Dorchester

The Boston Civic Design Commission (BCDC) provides a forum for the general public and professional design community to participate in the shaping of the city's physical form and natural environment. BCDC is charged with critiquing the aesthetics of proposed development projects and ensuring that the projects have a positive impact on the city's public realm.

15 Necco At Boston Civic Design Commission Committee Tuesday Night

updated 07/22/20 with BCDC presentation linked below. 

The Boston Civic Design Commission Design (BCDC) Committee will be reviewing 15 Necco (former GE Headquarter's site) via Zoom on: 

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

5:00 PM.  

View Presentation

Please attend and give your input. At this meeting, the BCDC may recommend the 15 Necco design for approval at the August 4th full Commission meeting. 

15 Necco Design as of June 30, 2020

The BCDC meets to discuss the public realm impacts of major projects currently being reviewed by the BPDA. Committee meetings are open to the public. View the 15 Necco Street for last month's 15 Necco BCDC presentation and all public documents to date.  

The next meeting is the BPDA 15 Necco IAG meeting scheduled for Thursday, July 30th at 5:30 pm. The public is welcome to listen in and give feedback as time permits. 

originally published 07.17.20