FPNA Welcome Back September Meeting

Come find out what happened in Fort Point while you were away this summer and catch up with your neighbors at the Fort Point Neighborhood Association's Welcome Back meeting.

Monday, September 28th  *new date*

6:00-7:00 pm
Factory 63
63 Melcher St.

General Meeting

Neighborhood Updates & Discussion

with special appearances by
City of Boston Council 
President Bill Linehan

and
New Neighbor, Paul Piccirillo
 Vice President, Leader Bank

*Due to the Farewell for Vivien Li, The Boston Harbor Association President on Tuesday, Sept. 29th, the FPNA moved their regular last Tuesday of the month meeting to Monday, September 28th.

originally posted 9.21.15

Boston Police Seaport/Fort Point Community Meeting

The Boston Police Department invites you to attend a community meeting! 

When: Tuesday, September 29, 2015 6:00 p.m. 

Where: District Hall 75 Northern Ave, South Boston 

The Boston Police Department encourages residents and business owners both new and old to join us in a conversation about traffic, parking, and general concerns. You’ll meet the Police Commissioner, local officers and specialized units within the department and learn about resources that the Boston Police Department has to offer your growing community.

For more information please call the Neighborhood Watch Unit at 617-343-4345. 

Opening Wed at 249 A St

Gallery at 249 A Street 

Homage: 

Old Northern Avenue Bridge

September 15 - October 12, 2015

Reception Wednesday September 23, 5:30-7:30pm

open by appointment

Nicole Aquillano

Dirk Ahlgrim

Joel Babb

Laura Davidson

Don Eyles

William Frese

Ian Kennelly

Lisa Knox

Kirk McNeil

Charles Norris

Heather Meri Stewart

Lenore Tenenblatt

George Vasquez

Jennifer Wood

Guest juror: Susan Merritt, independent curator

The gallery at 249 A Street presents a show of work inspired by the Old Northern Avenue Bridge and its bridge tender's house.

The Old Northern Avenue Bridge, built in 1908, is the last remaining industrial swing bridge in Boston. It spans the Fort Point Channel at the mouth of Boston Harbor. The bridge was designed by Boston's Chief Engineer, following his tour of drawbridges in England. Although it was designed for freight trains, a local political dispute resulted in it being used for other vehicles. The pedestrian walkways to the side were added in later years.

Bridge openings were initially operated by steam engine, but later changed to electric motor. The bridge tender's house (beside the bridge) is badly deteriorated, and its associated pier fields and deckings were removed in recent years.

The bridge was closed to vehicular traffic in 1999, and functioned as a pedestrian crossing until December 2014, when it was closed to all traffic due to structural concerns. These concerns were first noted over a dozen years ago but no significant structural repairs were made.

The City of Boston is currently exploring various plans for the future of the bridge, ranging from restoration to demolition and replacement. 

Over the years the bridge has been an inspiration to many artists. The Gallery at 249 A is pleased to present this  juried exhibition celebrating the bridge and its adjacent bridge tender's house. The show includes photography, painting, drawing, and ceramics.

  

About the juror

Susan Merritt, independent curator

Since 2002, Susan has been committed to creating opportunities for artists. As art consultant for the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA), she launched the first convention center rotating art exhibition program in the nation. After working with a number of non-profit organizations, including FPAC, and serving on many committees, she is taking some time to work in her studio as an oil painter.

About the Gallery at 249 A Street

Gallery At 249 A Street features rotating art exhibitions and special arts events. The space is an evolving project of the 249 A Street Cooperative, one of Massachusetts's first limited-equity live/work cooperative for artists. The building, which is home to more than 45 artists and their families, has served as a model for artists' housing nationwide and was key in the growth of the Fort Point Arts Community (FPAC). Gallery At 249 A Street was the home of the FPAC Office for its first eleven years. The 249 A Street Cooperative celebrated its 30th anniversary with the opening of this new gallery space in September 2014.

open by appointment. to schedule an appointment email:  249Agallery@gmail.com

175-179 W 1st St & 174 W 2nd St Public Park & Community Garden Meeting

The Department of Neighborhood Development (DND) and  Boston Parks  and Recreation Department (BPRD) invite you to 2 community meetings to discuss and refine the vision for a public park and community garden at 174 W. 2^nd Street and 175-179 W. 1^st Street in South Boston. 

September 28, 2015 and October 13, 2015

6:30 pm 

Condon Community Center | 200 D Street | South Boston

At the meetings, DND, BPRD, neighbors and a Design Consultant will review plan elements and advance design plans for the site.  DND and BPRD look to improve the site based on community comments in the near future.  You are encouraged to attend the meetings.
  

For details and more information, please contact: Ryan Lundergan at
617-635-0323 or via email at ryan.lundergan@boston.gov

South Boston Street Festival This Saturday

Eat, shop and be entertained at the sixteenth annual South Boston Street Festival this Saturday, September 19, 2015 from 11 am to 4 pm. The festival takes place on East Broadway between I Street and L Street. 

Come browse and shop at over 100 local merchants, artists and organizations. The Fort Point Neighborhood Association will be there along with sister South Boston neighborhood associations.

Grab eats from some favorite restaurants such as Fort Point's Lucky's Lounge and many more...

Karen K and The Jitterbugs will be performing for the children as well as Southie band Thomas Park and more...

There will be special performances by The Peggy Wood School of Irish Step Dance and The Ultimate Self Defense & Performance Center. 

All the details at South Boston Street Festival.

Walk or Bike Dorchester Ave With The BRA

UPDATE: Due to Thursday's rain forecast, tour will be Monday, September 14th at 5:30 pm.

Grab your walking shoes or bike and join Boston Redevelopment Authority staff for a tour of the Dorchester Avenue study area to continue the dialogue about priority items that the Dorchester Avenue Corridor project plan can address. 

Both tours will leave from the parking lot at 195 Old Colony Avenue at 5:30 PM on September 10th. Participants should register for one: either the walking tour or the bicycle tour. Register now.

Please check the project website for updates on weather-related cancellations.Rain date will be September 14th, 2015 at 5:30 PM, departing from 195 Old Colony Avenue.

What to learn more about the Dorchester Avenue Corridor project? Read this related article.

Boston City Council Looks At Arts, Pay, Tobacco & More

Councillor-At-Large Michelle Wu provides notes from Boston City Council meetings. The Boston City Council considered the items below and more at their September 2, 2015 meeting.

Appointments & Confirmations: The Council voted to confirm Carol Downs and Priscilla Rojas as BRA/EDIC Board members. Mayor Walsh appointed Katherine Hammer as the new Budget Director and Christine Pulgini as the Director of the Mayor's Office of Consumer Affairs & Licensing (she will also keep her role as head of the Boston Licensing Board, but will not receive any additional salary for doing both).

Appetite for Arts: Councilor Wu called for a hearing to propose a platform to connect local artists with neighborhood restaurants looking to display artwork. Many restaurants are looking to showcase local artists with the opportunity for patrons to purchase the work. The City could provide an expanded platform for making these connections. The matter was sent to the Arts & Culture Committee for a hearing.

City Council Pay Raise: The two proposals on Council pay raise were sent to the Government Operations Committee for further action. Mayor Walsh filed an amendment that would set the salary at $99,500, a slight increase above his Compensation Advisory Board's $97,000 recommendation. Councilor Linehan filed an amendment for a $107,500 salary. The Committee will likely issue a report with a recommendation to be voted on at the next Council meeting.

Smokeless Tobacco: The Council voted to pass Mayor Walsh's proposed ban on smokeless tobacco at sporting events in Boston, including Fenway park. The ban applies to event sites for professional, collegiate, high school, or organized amateur sporting events, requiring conspicuous signs in dugouts, bullpens, training rooms, locker rooms, press boxes, television & radio broadcast booths, and bathrooms. The ordinance cites the high rate of youth who use smokeless tobacco and resulting oral, pancreatic, and esophageal cancer, with a strong association from athletes who use it. The fine would be $250/offense.

Robert J. Butts, III: The Council voted to suspend and pass Councilor Baker's home rule petition to waive the maximum age requirement for police officers for Robert J. Butts, III.  Boston Police recruits must be younger than age 32 if not a veteran, and under age 40 if a veteran. Robert Butts was recently informed that BPD realized he was 29 days too old for the next phase of the recruitment process, but the civil service exam he took two years ago had been delayed one month several years ago due to the Boston Marathon bombings.

For complete minutes of September 2nd meeting and prior Boston City Council meetings, visit www.michelleforboston.com/notes or sign up to receive these notes automatically each week by email at www.michelleforboston.com/sendmenotes.

No Parking Around Barlow's Restaurant Starting Monday

Starting August 31 through September 15, 2015 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, there will be no parking in front of Barlow's along A Street and around the corner on Binford Street to Channel Center Street. Nstar will be doing some excavation work. Anyone parking during the restricted times will be ticketed and towed. 

South Boston - Dorchester Avenue Corridor Open House

Update: Open House notes available here. 

The BRA is launching a process to create a new vision and plan for the Dorchester Avenue corridor area in South Boston. Residents, property owners, business owners, community and civic groups are invited to this open house event to learn more about the study, the area, and how to get involved.

July 30, 2015

5pm - 8pm

Iron Workers Local 7 Building

195 Old Colony Avenue

In South Boston, the Dorchester Avenue corridor from Andrew Square to Broadway Station is undergoing a shift away from traditional manufacturing and industrial uses, as demand for residential and mixed-use development increases. Situated between two major Red Line stations and bus hubs, the corridor is ripe for transit-oriented development. The goal of the South Boston study will be to create new zoning that aligns the aspirations of the community with predictable development conditions.

Dorchester Avenue’s underutilized light industrial buildings will be the primary focus. The BRA will look to residents for ideas on how such properties could be transformed to contribute more positively to the corridor in the future. The study will suggest strategies for improving access to retail and developing affordable housing to meet the needs of local families, in addition to public realm improvements, traffic mitigation, and other economic development opportunities.

The Dorchester Avenue study area encompasses a portion of South Boston’s largest residential zoning district. The so-called H-1-50 zone, which touches Andrew Square, will be analyzed in hopes of updating antiquated zoning to allow for reasonable increases in density that would accommodate population growth. 

Based on resounding feedback from neighborhood residents and South Boston’s elected officials, Mayor Walsh has asked the BRA to work with the community so that any new zoning recommendations maintain the character of this residential district and place a renewed emphasis on architectural continuity.

originally posted 7.16.15

Free Family Flick Friday

Free Family Flick

Friday, August 14th

Sundown

Marine Park

1889 William J Day Blvd

Free screening of Space Jam under the stars at DCR’s Marine Park. Pack your lawn chairs and a picnic. Don’t forget the bug spray! Movie begins at sundown.

For more information please call 617-626-1450 or visit Mass dcr.

All events are subject to weather conditions.

Citizens Connect Now Boston 311 With More Ways To Request City Services

Requesting non-emergency City of Boston services, just got easier with Boston 311. You can access services wherever you are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and by your favorite means of communication. If you see a broken street sign or traffic signal, or need your street cleaned or a pothole filled or even pay a parking ticket, contact Boston 311. More services available.

. 

		CALL 311 Dial 311 within Boston city limits to be connected with our agents. You can also still request city services by dialing 617-635-4500.
		DOWNLOAD THE APP The Citizens Connect app is now BOS:311 with added additional features. Download the app for iOS or Android.
		TWEET @BOS311 Tweet a request @BOS311 with specific information like location and a photo.
		VISIT THE WEBSITE All city services, as well as general information about 311, are available online at Boston.gov/311.

Celebrate Summer With The Art of Play

Summer is the ultimate time for play. The Midway Channel Gallery invites you to celebrate the art of play at our opening reception of Play/List.

Thursday, August 13, 2015

5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

In an age of digital connectivity, the sharing of information, thoughts and experiences has become easier than ever. In the same way that one compiles a playlist of songs from different musical groups or genres, artists Drew Pate and Adam Eddy seek to bring together work with varying subject matter while exploring the idea of play as a serious tool in art making. Play/List is on view through September 4, 2015. More details.

The Midway Channel Gallery is nestled within Midway Artist Studios, Boston's largest live work rental artist building. Shows represent the diverse cross-section of local and international, professional and emerging artists, producing contemporary art in a variety of media. The artist run gallery mounts inclusive shows presenting a multitude of viewpoints.The Midway Channel Gallery also runs an integrated performance and visual art space, Art Under The Stairs, located on the gallery's lower level.