Altered Design for Russia Warf

The Globe is running an article about an altered design Boston Properties has put forward for Russia Warf, Developer takes 2d shot at Russia Warf.

The new design (the version on the right) has eliminated the awkward, diagonal columns at the bottom and is, in general, a more straightforward design. However, imho, it's still a huge, modern wall of glass that's is a poor fit for Boston, especially that location where it clashes with the historic buildings that sit in front of it and across the channel from it.

As someone who walks right by that block every morning on the way to the T, I hope the designers come to their senses and make it relate to low, historic buildings around it. If you have thoughts, please post a comment.

Bill to give developers municipal powers

Shirley Kressel from the Alliance of Boston Neighborhoods writes about a bill currently in the state senate to allow cities to designate "Local Improvement Zone" and give real estate developers sweeping powers in those districts to act like a government

• Shirley's post: Developers will soon become city governments
• Full text of the bill: Senate, 146

IANAL and may be misunderstanding it, but as I read it, if a developer, or a group of developers, buys 80% of a district, they could apply to be a "Local Improvement Zone" and be given many of the powers the city government has including issueing tax-free bonds, creating and enforcing by-laws, and even assessing neighbors to pay for infrastructure. In other words, if you own a home, developers could buy up the land around it, declare it a Local Improvement Zone, and then send you a bill to pay for the infrastructure improvements they want to do. You would not be able to appeal to the city or have any vote in the process; it would be controlled entirely by a "prudential committee" setup by the developers.

Mtg on 368 Congress St. Project, Monday, 6:30

The BRA is hosting a meeting to discuss Berkeley's 368 Congress St. project:

Monday, July 9th
6:30PM
55 Thomson Place, First Floor

The public comment period ends Monday, July 23rd. Send your comments to the Jay Rourke of the BRA:

Jay Rourke
Boston Redevelopment Authority
One City Hall Square
9th Fl, Boston, MA 02201

PHONE: 617.918.4317
EMAIL: Jay.Rourke.BRA@cityofboston.gov

Construction starting work on A Street buildings

Commonwealth Ventures is set to begin construction in July of the row of buildings on A Street (10, 20, and 30 Channel Center St). Demolition work is scheduled for July through November, with the rehab and construction following until the Spring of 2008. The building at 241 A St. and those past 15 Channel Center (aka Midway) are not part of this phase.

Movie Tuesday Night: On the Waterfront

Tuesday night the Fort Point Stage continues with On the Waterfront:

Fort Point Stage, 2007 Outdoor Summer Movie Series
MARLON BRANDO in ON THE WATERFRONT
directed by Elia Kazan, 1954
TUESDAY JUNE 26 at 9 PM
WORMWOOD ST. PARK
free admission, handicap accessible

SPECIAL SHORT FILM: At 9 PM sharp we'll show "Scared Shiftless", a hilariously frightening short film by local director Cory Tomascoff (in attendance). This gem premiered recently at the ICA !

BRING YOUR OWN CHAIRS AND REFRESHMENTS

For more details, see:
http://www.fortpoint.org

Wormwood Park Fundraiser

Susan Orlean and John Gillespie would like to invite the neighborhood to a fundraiser for the Wormwood Park:

Let's Help Wormwood Park!
Please come to a fundraiser for our bit of green in Fort Point
Thursday, July 12th, 7 pm - 8:30 pm
21 Wormwood Street, Apt. 314

I don't want to post her email address here, but if you're interested in attending or would like to make a donation, send me email (fpna@dewdrops.net) and I will send you the details.

Summer Movie Tomorrow Night: Adaption

The Summer Movie Series kicks off with a special event tomorrow night.

Fort Point Stage presents opening night of our Summer Movie Series:
ADAPTATION
A Fort Point Farewell to Susan Orlean and John Gillespie
Tuesday June 12th at 8 PM (this one is INDOORS)
35 Channel Center Street
Free, Handicap Accessible


Full details available on: www.fortpoint.org

Pictures of the water main burst

Rob Sama posted some photos of the water main burst:



More photos available on his blog.

Linehan wins

Congratulations to Bill Linehan who won the election over Susan Passoni. It was a close race, decided by only 551 votes. Linehan got three quarters of the votes from South Boston, a little more than half of Chinatown and the Bay Village. More details here:
Linehan wins District 2 council race

Archon sells 281 and 321 Summer

http://www.cpnonline.com/cpn/specialties/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003583806

Normandy Real Estate Partners has bought a pair of buildings in Boston totaling 257,700 square feet for about $73 million. The two structures, 281 and 321 Summer Street, are office and retail buildings in the South Boston Waterfront District of Boston.

281 Summer Street dates from 1910, and underwent a renovation completed last month. The renovation included combining 281 Summer Street with an adjacent building, along with the creation of a new formal lobby and elevators. 321 Summer Street was originally built in 1911 and was renovated in 2001....

Vote on Tuesday

The election for District 2 City Councilor is this Tuesday, May 15th. Remember to get out and vote. No matter which candidate you like, it's important to show politicians that Fort Point cares about local politics and gets to the polls.

Redesign of Congress and Summer Streets

Fort Port Arts Community, Inc. (FPAC) and Seaport Alliance for a Neighborhood Design (SAND) host the Boston Redevelopment Authority for a community meeting regarding the redesign of Congress and Summer Streets:

The Crossroads Initiative
Thursday, May 17
6:30 PM
Midway Studios
15 Channel Center St.
Fort Point, South Boston

The Crossroads Initiative proposes improvements to design, pedestrian access, sustainability and the incorporation of public art.

COME HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD!

For information contact Peter Gori, BRA Project Manager at 617 918-4451, peter.gori.bra@cityofboston.gov or visit http://www.bostoncrossroads.com