Thursday, March 15, 2012

Ops-Core/Gentex Meeting

Thanks to everyone who attended the meeting.  The neighborhood made it clear where it stands.  And thanks to Senator Jack Hart and Councilman Felix Arroyo for coming out and lending their support.

Kairos Shen speaks on the Ops-Core/Gentex facility.

I was only able to stay for part of the meeting, so my notes are incomplete and I won't bother to post them.  If someone has a good write-up, please email me: fortpoint@dewdrops.net and/or comment below.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Gentex Mtg Tonight for Channel Center Facility

Reminder that this meeting is tonight:
  
BRA Ops-Core/Gentex Community Meeting
Artists for Humanity
100 West 2nd Street
6:00-8:00 PM, March 13th

A number of residents at Midway Studios and the Channel Center buildings have expressed concern over this new tenant which is taking over the theatre space at Midway Studios for a moderate-hazard helmet assembly facility.   



While there are significant health, arts, and neighborhood issues related to this project, let's please try to keep tonight's meeting as civil as possible.
 

Community Mtg for One Channel Center, Wed, 3/21

=== Please be advised that Commonwealth Ventures LLC will be holding a community meeting to discuss the development of The State Street Project at One Channel Center on: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21st at 6 – 8 pm. The meeting will be held on the second floor of 10 Channel Center. Everyone is welcome to attend. One Channel Center is currently the parking lot. Please forward this invite to all who may have an interest in attending and have not been copied on this email. Thank you. Anthony Anthony Pagliarulo | Property Manager CB Richard Ellis/New England | Property Management 10 Channel Center Street, Suite 510 | Boston, MA 02210 T 617.423.1273| F 617.423.6270| C 617.318.7327

Friday, March 09, 2012

Music and Film Tonight and Tomorrow Night


KEROAÄN (from Philadelphia)
and ess enn emm (Reuben Son, Benny Nelson and Patrick Emm)
Friday, March 9, 2012 8pm
10 Channel Center St.
suggested donation $10

Studio Soto and Uppercase present KEROAÄN's debut Boston performance. A powerful mix of digital synthesis and light, this will be a memorable evening of new music.

KEROAÄN is a musical artificial intelligence developed by FRASER/ROSENBERG that performs by implementing XENAKIS’S Dynamic Stochastic Synthesis. This non-standard synthesis is played in real time by the KEROAÄN program. Pushing and pulling between sections of hard noise, singing glissandos, jagged melodic scribble and other sonic curiosities, the program liberates the computer from its position as a mere tool of hyper-productivity and transports the machine into a state of creative and performative being. Operatic in scope, a live diffusion of KEROAÄN features lasers, strobe lighting, and fog synched to both audible and structural qualities of the music as an infinitely morphing chorus of digital voices croon, cry, scream and everything in between.

ess enn emm is the debut performance of a trio consisting of three of Boston's leading electronic musicians: Reuben Son, Benny Nelson, and Patrick Emm.



===



In This Dark: films of Luther Price
Saturday, March 10, 2012 8pm
10 Channel Center St., Boston
suggested donation $10


Mobius, in conjunction with Studio Soto, proudly presents a screening of new and rarely-seen super8 and 16mm films by internationally acclaimed, experimental Boston filmmaker, Luther Price. This screening coincides with the inclusion of 26 of his films in this year’s Whitney Biennial. Works in this program were especially selected by Price, and will be projected in their original formats. The filmmaker will be present at the screening. The screening is co-produced in conjunction with Studio Soto and will take place at 10 Channel Center St. in the Fort Point neighborhood of South Boston.

"Price’s film work has an oppressive intensity, envisioning an alienated world of often mindlessly repeated rituals and poses that entrap and suffocate his subjects. He sets up a constant dialogue between his compromised victim-subjects (often himself or his own family) and the equally compromised film stock itself. Images of ruptured flesh and ghostly birthday parties are further ruptured and drained of life by Price’s torturous manipulations of the film, which can include chemical processing, filters, optical printing, re-photography, and even holes punched in the frame. What emerges is Price’s great subject — the breaches, breakdowns, and collapse of body, family, and society, and by extension all of life, in the face of unstoppable philosophical forces. What makes it work is the nonstop flow of extraordinary, unforgettable imagery." ----Gary Morris, from "Home Movies From Hell," Bright Lights Film Journal

"I want to make true films. I don't care if it hurts me... people exploit each other anyway. If you exploit yourself you leave no room to be exploited by someone else... No one can hurt me; no one can say anything about me because I've already said it. I've already given them the dirt. We always have the ability to redeem ourselves... " ---Luther Price

Bio:
Luther Price received a BFA in Sculpture from Massachusetts College of Art and Design, where he studied with Saul Levine. He is an experimental filmmaker whose work has been widely screened in the United States and Europe at such venues as the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the San Francisco Cinematheque. He is a professor at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. His films, shot primarily on Super 8 mm, often include controversial subject matter, found footage, the artist performing in a variety of persona, and physical interventions into the actual material of the film, sometimes incorporating live performance. His films are distributed by Canyon Cinema in San Francisco, The Film-Makers' Cooperative in New York, Light Cone in Paris and others. (source: Wikipedia)

films to be screened:

    * 1)  Red Rooster (1987)  - super8 sound; 4min by Tom Rhoads
    * 2)  Porcelain Ribbon (1990) - super8 silent film 4min
    * 3)  Meat Dry 02" (1999) - super8 sound film.10min
    * 4)  Mr.Wonderful (1987) - super8film sound on film 10min by Tom Rhoads
    * 5)  jelly fish sandwich (1994) - super8 sound film 18min
    * 6). Burgin and Tonic (2012) -  16mm optical sound (inkblot) reel #2 8min.
    * 7)  Fragment (2012) - optical film 16mm 4min.
    * 8)  Nice Baskets (2006) - 16mm optical sound 8min
    * 9)  Tamponia (2007) - 16mm optical sound 7min
    * 10) Rocket (2007) 7min 16mm
    * 11) Deaf For Chicken Lip (2006)- 16mm optical sound 12min

Wednesday, March 07, 2012

Ops-Core Mtg Moved to Tuesday


==
From: Burbidge, Heidi [mailto:Heidi.Burbidge.bra@cityofboston.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2012 2:48 PM
To: Burbidge, Heidi
Subject: New Date/Time - BRA Community Meeting Regarding Ops-Core /Gentex
Good afternoon -

Please be advised that the BRA community meeting regarding the Ops-Core/Gentex space at 15 Channel Center has been changed to Tuesday, March 13.  The meeting will be held at Artists for Humanity, 100 West 2nd Street, South Boston, from 6:00-8:00 PM.  The meeting will be led by Chief Planner Kairos Shen. Other city officials will be in attendance.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

If you have any questions please contact:

Heidi Burbidge, Senior Project Manager-Artist Space Initiative, BRA, Heidi.Burbidge.BRA@cityofboston.gov, or (617)918-4306.

Thank you.
-Heidi


Heidi Burbidge
Senior Project Manager
Artist Space Initiative
Boston Redevelopment Authority
(617) 918-4306

Tuesday, March 06, 2012

Thursday: Community Mtg for Helmet Factory


BRA Community Meeting
on Ops-Core / 15 Channel Center

Thursday night, March 8, 2012
Artists for Humanity, 100 West 2nd Street, South Boston
6:00-8:00 PM


Ops-Core makes helmets for the military and is trying to move an assembly facility into the theatre space at Midway Studios / 15 Channel Center.  For those unfamiliar with the history, SAND's website has an old Globe article:

The Fort Point Cultural Collaborative announced plans for Midway Studios, a 200,000-square-foot development that will house 89 new artists' live/work studios, a gallery, a black box theater, and other cultural facilities in Boston's Fort Point neighborhood.  
...


The family-owned, Boston-based company, developers of Rowes Wharf and One Post Office Square, sold three buildings to the coalition for $1 apiece with the understanding that the group would develop the property as a mixed-use cultural facility.

...

http://www.seaportalliance.org/SAND/Archive/030717fpcc.html
 

---

The BRA will host a community meeting this Thursday night, March 8, 2012 regarding the Ops-Core/Gentex space at 15 Channel Center.  The meeting will be held at Artists for Humanity, 100 West 2nd Street, South Boston, from 6:00-8:00 PM.  The meeting will be led by Chief Planner Kairos Shen. Other city officials will be in attendance.  Everyone is welcome to attend.

If you have any questions please contact:

Heidi Burbidge, Senior Project Manager-Artist Space Initiative, BRA, Heidi.Burbidge.BRA@cityofboston.gov, or (617)918-4306.

Thank you.
-Heidi


Heidi Burbidge
Senior Project Manager
Artist Space Initiative
Boston Redevelopment Authority
(617) 918-4306
http://www.artistspaceboston.org/

Ginger Man moving into Blue Wave


Glad to see neighbors taking an active role and changing how Fort Point evolves.

==

"I would like to thank all the residents in the Fort Point Channel that assisted in the opposition of Ginger Man Pub going into the Art Store at 12 Farnsworth St. Berkeley Investments has decided to move Ginger Man Pub into the former Blue Wave space instead of Farnsworth St.  We are very happy about this decision, since the Pub would have been outside the FP3 rear lobby entrance and the rear of the Pub would have been at Dockside Place front entrance.  Although FP3 and Dockside are very close to the Blue Wave space, we feel that Congress St is a better location and we appreciate the darkness and empty space, since Blue Wave closed, being alive at night. We also hear that American Provisions from Broadway St will be moving into the 5500 sf art store; we do not know the time frames yet. We hope to see the Art Store re-open close by; we will be sad to see them leave. Thank you to all for your support."

Diane Keliher FP3, 346 Congress St
Joe Rogers Fort Point Place, 21 Wormwood St

Menton added to Relais & Chateaux

Congratulations Chef Lynch!

“I don’t mind saying I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, with the classic and classy dining options we’ve given the city. But this is great on a different level, because I feel like it’s a gift we’re giving back to the city. Menton, after all, is the first Boston property ever chosen by Relais & Chateaux.’’

http://articles.boston.com/2012-02-29/food-dining/31106703_1_relais-chateaux-menton-restaurant

Channel Center Phase IV at Civic Design Commission, Tonight


BOSTON CIVIC DESIGN COMMISSION

Tuesday, March 6th, 2012
BRA Board Room, Room 900, 9th floor, Boston City Hall
draft
AGENDA
                              
5:15 - 5:16 Call to Order
Approval of February 7, 2012 Minutes
Signature of Votes/Committee sign-up sheet

5:16 - 5:20 Report from Review Committee:
Ink Block 
Brigham & Women’s Parcel C / IMP
Emmanuel IMP
Channel Center Phase IV

5:20 - 5:40 Report from Design Committee:
New England Conservatory IMP 

  5:40 - 6:20 Harrison Albany Plan 

6:20 – 6:50 Ink Block 

6:50 - 7:20 Emmanuel IMP 

7:20 – 7:50 Brigham & Women’s Parcel C / IMP

7:50 - 8:20 Channel Center Phase IV



Design Review Committee scheduled to date:

March 13:  
      March 20:
March 27:

VOTE TODAY

from Cam:

PLEASE VOTE TODAY

Today Tuesday, March 6th is the Presidential Primary for Massachusetts. All polling locations will be open from 7 AM thru 8 PM. In addition, State Committee seats will be on the ballot both for the Democrat and Republican Parties. If you are a declared as a party member you must vote in your party primary. If you are undeclared you can request either ballot from the Warden at your local poll and vote in either the Democratic or Republican Primary but not both.

South Boston has a candidate for State Committee in each:

-Representative Nick Collins is running for the Democratic State Committee for First Suffolk District

-Patricia Jennings is running for the Republican State Committee for the First Suffolk District
(They are both running a sticker campaign so you must write their name in or place a sticker in the appropriate spot.)
Every Election Day is an important day. Hope you take the time to vote.


If we want our elected's help we need to vote. It's not who you vote for, but that that you vote that really matters. They all keep track of voting records and ours is not very good. You may have met Nick Collins at one of our community meetings.

Monday, March 05, 2012

Military Helmets at Midway Studios Put on Hold

If anyone has any updates / opinions they'd be interested in sharing, please comment below or email me: fortpointboston@dewdrops.net

===

Fort Point artists concerned for their health after equipment company moves in

Residents of a Fort Point artists’ community are expressing concerns for their health after a company that makes helmets for the military moved into a live-and-work art studio building in the neighborhood.
Tenants of Midway Studios at Fort Point in South Boston -- an artist community that resides and works in the studio building, say there was no public discussion before the Ops-Core safety equipment production company moved into the studios’ theater space. Residents are concerned about the health and safety risks associated with having the company in the building.
“There should be a public discussion of this before a decision is unilaterally made,” said Raber Umphenour, a resident of Midway Studios. “There are other people who should have a say in this as well.”
Ops-Core Inc. is a Boston-based company that was acquired by Gentex Corporation, a global electronics company, in January, according to an Ops-Core press release. Diana Pisiotta, a spokeswoman for the company, said it primarily produces equipment such as helmets used by the military and police departments.
“We will be doing light assembly work on the helmets,” she said. “They will be produced elsewhere. We customize them, add straps, padding, and the specialized pieces of equipment. It’s light assembly as opposed to manufacturing.”
The city’s Inspectional Services Department issued a stop work order to Ops-Core on Feb. 24 as a result of residents’ concerns.

read full article

Thursday, February 23, 2012

BRA asks state to let developer delay building park in Fort Point

From the Herald: === Boston: Put park aside to book hotel work
Says Children’s Museum not ready with design
By Donna Goodison | Wednesday, February 22, 2012

The city wants to let the massive Seaport Square project proceed without the developer fulfilling a 6-year-old promise for a waterfront park next to the Children’s Museum.

The Boston Redevelopment Authority has asked the state to release developer John Hynes from a timetable that ties the park’s creation to the development of Seaport Square’s Parcel A, where a hotel project is moving ahead.

BRA chief planner Kairos Shen said the recession kept the Children’s Museum from doing design work for the park. The museum has fenced off the 8,000-square-foot tract — known as Parcel E in the $3.5 billion Seaport Square’s master plan — for employee parking and loading.

... “We want to be sure that public amenities are not the last to be finished, but among the first to be done,” said Li, whose organization promotes public access around Boston Harbor. “This parcel is so key because it’s right on Fort Point Channel. If it doesn’t happen now, we’re very concerned that it will be many years before it’s usable by the general public, which would be a shame.” ...

Full article at the Herald:
http://bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view/20220222hub_put_park_aside_to_book_hotel_work_says_childrens_museum_not_ready_with_design