FPNA April Fort Point Gathering: New restaurants, New Developments & Spring Flowers

Tuesday, April 26, 2016 6 pm Factory 63 63 Melcher St. Special Presentations 10 Farnsworth (formerly known as 338 Congress) Residential Condominiums Tom Calus & Jas Bhogal, TCR Development & Massport South Boston Waterfront Real Estate Updates Michael  Vatalaro, Massachusetts Port Authority introducing Chloe a vegan restaurant 101 Seaport Boulevard requesting a beer & wine liquor license with Neighborhood Updates and Boston Shines Fort Point Style *** featured restaurant and tasty treats by Buco Trattoria ***

South Boston Municipal Harbor Plan Meeting Rescheduled to April 27

The South Boston Waterfront Municipal Harbor Plan meeting scheduled for tonight is postponed to next Wednesday, April 27th in order to complete a draft of the harbor plan amendment.

April 27, 2016

6 pm

Boston City Hall, Piemonte Room, 5th Floor

More on South Boston Municipal Harbor Plan

Boston Grand Prix at Boston Conservation Commission

The Boston Conservation Commission will be reviewing the Boston Grand Prix' request of changes to roadways: New Cypher Street, South Boston Bypass Road, West Service Road Extension, West First Street, Congress Street, and property of Massachusetts Convention Center Authority required to create the auto race track on South Boston's Seaport streets. There will be an opportunity for public comment.

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

7:45 pm agenda item

City Hall, Room 801, 8th Floor

In accordance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, M.G.L. Chapter 131, Section 40, the Boston Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing in Boston City Hall,  Room 801 on Wednesday April 20, 2016 to review the following projects to determine what conditions, if any, the Commission will impose in order to protect the interests of the public and private water supply, ground water, prevention of pollution, flood control, prevention of storm damage, protection of fisheries and land containing shellfish, and protection of wildlife habitat:
6:00 PM
Request for Determination of Applicability from TEC Associates for vegetation control activities along Amtrak Right-of-Way, Boston (Buffer Zone) Continued from April 6, 2016
6:15 PM
Request for Amendment to the Order of Conditions for DEP File No. 006-1447 from Massachusetts Port Authority for Runway 4R Landing Light Pier Repairs, Logan International Airport, East Boston (Buffer Zone)
6:30 PM
Notice of Intent from Epsilon Associates on behalf of J.C. Cannistraro, LLC for renovation of a vacant existing industrial building, 25 Fid Kennedy Avenue, Boston (LSCSF) Continued from April 6, 2016
6:45 PM
Notice of Intent from Kyle Zick Landscape Architecture, Inc. on behalf of City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department for ecological restoration of multiple trailheads in Allandale Woods Urban Wild, 89 Veterans of Foreign Wars Parkway, Boston (Bank, Bordering Vegetated Wetland, Riverfront Area)
7:00 PM
Notice of Intent from Childs Engineering Corporation on behalf of Boston Redevelopment Authority for the relocation of the existing MBTA commuter ferry terminal from Pier 3 to Pier 4, Charlestown Navy Yard, Eighth Street, Boston (Land Under the Ocean, Fish Run)
7:15 PM
Notice of Intent from Childs Engineering Corporation on behalf of Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum for the extension of deck surface of the existing Tea Party Ships & Museum barge, Fort Point Channel at Congress Street Bridge, Boston (Land Under the Ocean)
7:30 PM
Request for Extension to the Order of Conditions for DEP File No. 006-1425 from Solitude Lake Management (formerly Aquatic Control Technology) on behalf of Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation for the continued maintenance of aquatic vegetation within the Charles River Esplanade Lagoons, Boston
7:45 PM
Request for Determination of Applicability from Howard Stein Hudson on behalf of Grand Prix of Boston for pavement mill and overlay of roadways, minor widening, temporary pavement, and temporary extension of roadway. Work will be completed at New Cypher Street, South Boston Bypass Road, West Service Road Extension, West First Street, Congress Street, and property of Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, South Boston (LSCSF)
8:00 PM Updates and General Business
Meeting Minutes

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Sign Language interpreters are available upon prior request. The Commission will hold a public meeting immediately following the last hearing or as appropriate following any hearing. Plans and filings with the Commission may be viewed at the Environment Department, Boston City Hall, Room 709, during regular business hours, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. For more information, call 617-635-3850.

More on Boston Grand Prix

Imagining South Boston The Way It Should Be

Join your fellow South Boston neighbors for a creative evening of imagination exploring how you would like to see South Boston in 2030.

Imagine Boston 2030 is Boston’s first citywide plan in 50 years.  Under the leadership of Mayor Walsh, this multi-year initiative will engage the public in creating framework to guide the preservation, enhancement, and responsible growth of our city between now and 2030.

GET INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING PROCESS!!!  We want to hear from you.  

Wednesday, April 13th, 6:30 p.m.

Mass Bay Credit Union – 147 West 4th Street

(parking available)

We hope to see you there!!

Andrew Square Civic Association
City Point Neighborhood Association
Cityside Neighborhood Association
Dorchester Heights Association
Fort Point Neighborhood Association
St. Vincent’s Lower End Neighborhood Association
West Broadway Neighborhood Association

originally posted 4.1.16

Fort Point Channel Landmarks April 2016 Meeting

The FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION will hold a public hearing:

Thursday, 14 April  2016

5:30 PM

Boston City Hall – Piemonte Room (5th Floor)

After 5:30 pm, enter and exit City Hall at the Dock Square entrance on Congress Street

(across from Faneuil Hall).

Subject of the hearing will be applications for Certificates of Design Approval on the agenda below, review of architectural violations and such business as may come before the commission, in accordance with Ch. 772 of the Acts of 1975, as amended. 

I. DESIGN REVIEW HEARING

5:30 PM

Application 16.1099 FPC 27-43 Wormwood Street

Applicant: John Moran, Alpine Advisory Services (Applicant)

Proposed Work: Install six telecommunication antennas, remote radio heads and junction boxes on the smokestack, all painted to match the underlying masonry; and masonry restoration.

5:45 PM

Application 16.1275 FPC 22 Boston Wharf Road

Applicant: John Moran, Alpine Advisory Services (Applicant)

Proposed Work: Install six telecommunication antennas, remote radio heads and junction boxes on the third floor behind the louvers; and replace the metal louvers in-kind.

6:00 PM Previously presented 3/10

Application 16.1101 FPC 363 Congress Street

Applicant: Denis Dowdle, Madison Properties (Applicant)

Proposed Work: Install porous asphalt paving, electric vehicle parking, light poles and a valet booth; removing the chain link fence and installing internally illuminated bollards and a 6’-0” tall black chain link fence with barbed wire along Congress Street; and an 8’-0” tall black chain link fence with barbed wire around the utility equipment.

6:15 PM Previously presented 3/10

Application 16.1102 FPC 9 Channel Center Street

Applicant: Dan McGrath, Berkeley Investments (Applicant)

Proposed Work: Modify a loading bay fronting Medallion Avenue.

6:30 PM

Application 16.1111 FPC 24 Farnsworth Street

Applicant: Rev. Harlan Limpert, Unitarian Universalist Association (Applicant)

Proposed Work: Change one banner sign; install two bracket signs; and install applied lettering on the glazed infill at the entryway.

6:45 PM

Application 16.1274 FPC 24 Farnsworth Street

Applicant: Rev. Harlan Limpert, Unitarian Universalist Association (Applicant)

Proposed Work: Install signage on a secondary façade.

PROJECTED ADJOURNMENT: 7:00 PM

FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION

David Berarducci, Susan Goganian, John Karoff, Michele Yeeles, Vacancy

Alternates: B.K. Boley, Thomas Rodde

originailly posted 4.7.16

Boston Grand Prix Public Input Meeting

The public is invited to attend a Boston Grand Prix community meeting on:

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

6 PM

Boston Convention Exhibition Center

415 Summer St, Room 154

More on the Boston Grand Prix

Past presentations and documents

Children's Wharf Park 2nd Community Meeting

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services invite the community to the second meeting to discuss upcoming improvements to Children’s Wharf Park located at 64 Sleeper Street, Boston.

Monday, April 11th

6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Boston Children's Museum 

Business Entrance 

308 Congress Street 

The Parks Department will provide an update on the project and the designer, Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc., will share their conceptual design for the park.  Following the presentation, there will be an open discussion about the ideas presented.  

Related posts

originally posted 4.6.16

Springing Into Action

Updated 4/5/16
Fort Point is getting cleaner this spring. Street cleaning starts today on A Street street. In addition, Binford Street (from A Street to the Fort Point Channel) will have street cleaning every Tuesday 9 am - 1 pm from April through November. The odd side of the street (closest to Gillette) will be the first and third Tuesdays starting April 19th due to the April 4th snowfall and the even side is the second and fourth Tuesdays starting April 12th. 

The Fort Point Neighborhood Association is holding Fort Point's 12th annual Boston Shines April 29th - April 30th. Fort Point businesses are invited to participate on Friday, April 29th from 11 am - 2 pm and Fort Point Residents on Saturday, April 30th from 10 am - 3 pm. Boston Shines Fort Point style creates a living tapestry of flowers, vines, and community along A Street. Volunteer today and help beautify your neighborhood. No green thumb required. If you have any questions, please contact FPNA.

Are your New Year's resolutions a distant memory? If getting more involved with your community is still pending on your list, there is plenty to offer on Civic Engagement Tuesday, April 5th, There are public meetings to envision a new Dot Ave Corridor, discover whether the South Boston Bypass Rd could re-open to non-commercial traffic and talk about the benefits and impacts of the Boston Grand Prix.

Civic Engagement Tuesday: April 5, 2016

Boston Grand Prix City Council Hearing: Councillor Linehan called for a hearing to be held on the Boston Grand Prix stating the importance for City Council to give residents a voice in the process and examine the impacts on the neighborhood. The Committee of Arts, Culture & Special Events will be holding the public meeting (docket # 0442) at  City Hall, Iannella Chamber, 5th Floor at 3 pm. You may also submit written comments and questions to CCC.AC@boston.gov and Councilor Linehan prior to the hearing. Councilor Michelle Wu is taking questions beforehand on twitter. Tweet #QsforIndyCar @wutrain. Written comments may be part of the public record and are available to all City Councillors in advance of the hearing. Attend or watch live on Comcast 8/RCN 82 or on the web.

South Boston Bypass Road & HOV Pilot Program Results & Feedback Meeting: The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) invites the public to attend a meeting to provide South Boston Bypass Road and HOV Pilot program results and gather public feedback. The public meeting will be held at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, room 154 from 6 pm – 8 pm.

Dot Ave Corridor: Draft Plan Elements & Implementation Strategies The Dot Ave Plan is an opportunity to think strategically about the types of uses and scale of development best suited for the future of this transit corridor. The goal of the planning study is to create a vision with the community and to establish guidelines that will result in a comprehensive plan that informs new zoning for future development. This is the seventh in a series of workshops. The workshop will take place at Iron Worker Local 7 located at 195 Old Colony 
from 6 pm – 8 pm.   

originally posted 4.1.16

Fashion Arrives in Fort Point

Karen McFeaters

"In the Eye of The Beholder" explores the personal nature of beauty. Over twenty artists across multiple disciplines create a show that will intrigue and fashion-ate. You are invited to the opening reception:

Thursday, April 7
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Midway Artist Studios
15 Channel Center St.

Exhibiting artists are: Laia Albaladejo, Maltsya Batelman, Joel Benjamin, Nikolay Cherny, Anna Comella, Dawna Davis, Julian De La Garza, Daniel Demiller Jr, Nathan Evans, Elisa Hamilton, Judith Klein, Nina Libin, Christina Liotti, Karen McFeaters, Janet Parker, Jenne Reyburn, Amanda Richards, James Russell, Alicia Savage, Anh Sawyer, Philip Sawyer, Margaret Shepherd, Olga Shmuylovich, Souther and Sara Tchen-Susman.

Make a date for the exhibition's grand finale "Behold...The Art of Adornment", the second annual runway experience showcasing wearable art and accessories from local Boston artists and fashion designers from Lasell College, May 6 from 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm during Artweek Boston,

In celebration of Boston Design Week, Made in Fort Point presented "One at a time...Slow fashion in a fast world" on March 31st. 

Local celebrity designer Amy Nguyen headlines a group of Fort Point artists passionate about sustainable, long-lasting fashion. This special event includes an artist talk by Amy and displays hand made designs in clothing, accessories, and jewelry by designers: Amy Nguyen, Alys Myers, Dawna Davis, Anh Sawyer, Jenifer Stark, Philip Sawyer and Carol Bugarin. 

Made in Fort Point sells and exhibits art, craft and design of over seventy-five Fort Point Arts Community members and is located at 315 A Street.

  

originally published 3.31.16

City Council Hearing on IndyCar Race Tues

Boston City Council is holding a hearing on the Proposed Grand Prix of Boston IndyCar Race on Tuesday at 3pm. The public is invited to attend and testify. In addition, testimony and/or questions for the race can be sent ahead of time to ccc.ac@boston.gov and Councillor Wu (Michelle.Wu@boston.gov) and they will be printed and included in the packets distributed to the committee. Make sure they're sent in by Tuesday at 2pm.

Boston City Council Hearing

Grand Prix of Boston

Tuesday, April 5th, 3pm

Iannella Chamber, 5th Floor

Boston City Hall

Testimony and Questions may sent to:
ccc.ac@boston.gov and
Councillor Wu (michelle.wu@boston.gov)(Deadline: Tues 2pm)

Councillor Wu is also taking questions on Twitter. Tweet #QsforIndyCar and her (@wutrain).

For background on the race, here is their official website:

http://indycarboston.com/

Presentation from their most recent meeting:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/305632314/3-16-Boston-IndyCar-meeting-slides

And a group opposing the race:

http://www.noindycarboston.org/

Full hearing announcement:

South Boston Bypass Road Public Meeting

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) invites you to attend a public meeting regarding South Boston Bypass Road and HOV Pilot on:

TUESDAY, APRIL 5th

6 PM - 8 PM 

Boston Convention and Exhibition Center

Room 154

415 Summer Street

On behalf of the South Boston Waterfront Sustainable Transportation Committee, MassDOT is hosting a public meeting to review the results of the South Boston Bypass Road and HOV 6-month pilot program.  The meeting will be an opportunity for to review the pre, during, and post pilot data and gather public feedback on the impact of the pilot program. 

The six-month pilot program, launched on August 17th, opened the South Boston Bypass Road to non-commercial traffic at all times in the section from Richards Street to West Service Road, and opened the South Boston Bypass Road in the eastbound direction from I-93 to Richards Street during AM peak hours (6:00 am to 10:00 am).  The pilot also opened the HOV Airport Express Lanes from I-93 Northbound, Kneeland Street and Traveler Street to the Ted Williams Tunnel to all vehicles at all times.  

If you have any questions, please contact Jim Kersten, Legislative Liaison, MassDOT.

The meeting space is accessible to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation (such as American Sign Language Interpreters, assistive listening devices, handouts in alternate formats, etc.) and/or language assistance to fully participate, please contact Jim Kersten at MassDOT at 857-368-9041 or via email before March 29, 2016.  Such accommodations will be provided free of charge.

Related posts

originally posted 3.18.16

Boston City Council Looks At Urban Renewal, Speed Limits, Community Preservation & More

City Council President Michelle Wu publishes notes from Boston City Council meetings. The Boston City Council considered these items and more at their March 23d and March 30th meetings:

Urban Renewal: The Council voted to pass an order granting the Boston Redevelopment Authority 6 years of continued urban renewal authority over 14 districts. The order commits the BRA to an Action Plan (including reviewing the boundaries of districts, especially the South End and Charlestown), proactive notifications for Council feedback on minor modifications and proposed eminent domain actions, meetings with the City Council every six months, and an annual report of urban renewal activity. Read the entire report here: http://meetingrecords.cityofboston.gov/sirepub/agdocs.aspx?doctype=agenda&itemid=19117. 
Councillor Wu felt that 5 years is a sufficient amount of time for completing the inventory of Loan Disposition Agreements that govern affordable housing protections, getting feedback from affected communities, applying it all to update the Urban Renewal area boundaries and blight definitions, then coming back to the Council for a real extension request. However, there was opposition to a 5-year timeline because that would land the expiration in an election year and potentially politicize the issue. In weighing whether to allow an additional year,  Councillor Wu asked the BRA to commit to some larger reforms beyond the UR conversation. Namely, Councillor Wu asked for full budget transparency (historically the BRA operations budget has been left out of City budget materials, and the only publicly available documents are top-level summaries recently posted to the BRA website) and changes to the Article 80 process. After meeting with the new CFO of the BRA, Councillor Wu was comfortable with their commitment to financial transparency--presenting revenue sources, operations spending, capital projects, and staffing details at this year's Council budget hearings--and to seriously explore Article 80 reforms with the Council. Most importantly, the BRA agreed to come before the Council every 6 months, which Wu believes is frequent enough for the Council to monitor the status of the inventory and redrawing boundaries, and it will also allow us to ensure participation and feedback from residents in affected areas. 
Councilor Jackson stated that he would be voting No because the BRA should not be given an extension when their organizational audits have revealed so many issues, and many residents oppose urban renewal. The order passed 10-3 (Councilors Jackson, Pressley & Zakim voting against). The next steps are for the Mayor to sign the order, the BRA Board to take it up at their next meeting (April 14), and then the State Dept of Housing & Community Development to approve the request.

Parking Fines & Towing: The Council voted to pass Mayor Walsh’s ordinance to extend the parking pilot that increased fines but eliminated towing in Charlestown. The ordinance gives authority to the Transportation Commissioner to designate zones where fines for not moving a car during posted street cleaning times increases from $40 to $90 but towing is eliminated. The pilot program ended with a sunset clause on November 30, 2015, and Councilor LaMattina noted that there was strong support for continuing the program in Charlestown. Councilor Linehan stated that because the City does not tow for parking violations around a, towing for street cleaning is punitive. The revised language specifically restricts the program to Charlestown, with a public process including Council hearings before any expansion might happen.

IndyCar: Councilor Linehan called for a hearing on the Grand Prix of Boston, proposed for Labor Day weekend 2016. He stated that it was important for the Council to give residents a voice in the process and examine the impacts on the neighborhood. The item was referred to the Committee on Arts, Culture & Special Events for a hearing. Note: Hearing is scheduled for April 5th at 3pm, Iannella Chamber City Hall.

Charter Reform: Councilors Flaherty and Baker reported on two home rule petitions sponsored by Councilor Baker that would amend the City Charter, pending approval from the State Legislature:

Choose your office: This would change it so that a candidate may only seek the nomination for one municipal office at a time, rather than being able to run simultaneously for both Council and Mayor. The sponsors noted that this would be out of respect for constituents and to save money from potential special elections that might result.

Council terms: This would extend the term of office for City Councilors from two to four years. Councilor Baker noted that not only would this be a cost saving measure to the city (a citywide election costs roughly $800,000), but it would also align Council elections with Mayoral ones when there is increased turnout. Councilor Baker noted that he gets involved with development projects in his District that take two years from conception to groundbreaking, and having a four year term would create more stability for monitoring these major changes to the district.

Both home rule petitions remain in committee for further action.

Community Preservation Act: Councilors Campbell and Flaherty reported back on yesterday’s hearing to discuss adding the Community Preservation Act (CPA) to the November 2016 ballot as a binding referendum at a 1% surcharge and with exemptions on the first $100,000 in assessed value for residents and businesses, as well as for low-income homeowners (a family of four making below $78,800) and low-moderate-income seniros (60+ years old making less than $68,950 for 1 person or below $78,800 for a 2-person household). The CPA created a statewide fund that Boston already pays into; opting-in with the 1% surcharge would make Boston eligible to receive matching funds from the statewide fund, and Boston could also put existing linkage and Inclusionary Development funds into the pot for a greater match. The revenues from CPA (both collected directly from the surcharge and from the match) would be earmarked for affordable housing, open space and recreation, and historic preservation. At the hearing, advocates estimated that this would generate $20M annually for the City. Councilor Linehan stated that he would be voting against putting this on the ballot, as he believes the City budget already relies too heavily on property owners for revenue and does not believe we should add to the burden, especially after recent property value assessments resulted in huge tax increases across the city. The matter will remain in committee for further discussion.

Speed Limits: Councilor Baker filed a home rule petition to lower the default speed limit in Boston. Currently, state law mandates that the speed limit for unposted streets in thickly settled areas is 30mph, and signs can be posted with a different speed limit if supported by a traffic engineering study. However, 30mph is very fast and poses a safety risk for Boston’s densely settled residential streets; plus it is cost prohibitive to conduct traffic engineering studies for every street. The petition would lower unposted speed limits on thickly settled ways and business districts to 20mph and to 15mph in school zones. Councilor Baker noted that this would complement the Mayor’s push for VisionZero and Complete Streets. The matter was referred to the Committee on Government Operations for a hearing.

Substance Use Disorder: Councilors Essaibi-George, Linehan & McCarthy filed a hearing order to discuss supporting and fostering partnerships with substance use disorder service providers. Alcohol and drug use disorder impacts countless Boston families, and the Council is in a unique position to convene service partners and city departments, especially the newly formed Office of Recovery Services. The matter was sent to the Committee on Homelessness, Mental Health, and Recovery for a hearing.

BPS Water Fountains: Councilors Essaibi-George, Campbell & Pressley called for a hearing on the use of water fountains at BPS schools. The sponsors and several other Councilors pointed out that many schools use water bottles because the water from water fountains has either tested above safe lead levels or has not been tested in a while. With older school buildings, even though Boston’s water quality is among the best in the nation, the water can become contaminated as it travels through older pipes and comes out of the water fountains. In addition to the alarming and irreversible safety hazard of lead exposure for young children, abandoning plastic water bottles for safe, quality tap water has environmental, economic, and health benefits. Councilor Jackson also pointed out that many schools must have a separate water budget to purchase these bottles, and he connected these issues to the larger problem of underfunded schools. Councilor Essaibi-George stated that not only should water fountain water be tested, but water in the bathrooms as well. Councilors Campbell and Pressley emphasized that this is a social justice issue and dovetails with Councilor Pressley’s efforts on school food. The matter was sent to the Education Committee for a hearing.

Upcoming Hearings/Working Sessions (Watch at www.cityofboston.com/citycouncil/live.asp

Thursday, 3/31 at 11AM, Confirmation for Craig Galvin as Zoning Board of Appeal member (Planning & Development)

Monday, 4/4 at 6PM, Connolly Branch Library in JP: Hearing on Renaming Hyde-Jackson Square “Boston’s Latin Quarter” (Arts, Culture & Special Events)

Tuesday, 4/5 at 3PM, IndyCar (Arts, Culture & Special Events)

Thursday, 4/21 at 11:30AM, Sister Cities Program (Arts, Culture & Special Events)

For complete notes on this meeting and prior Boston City Council meeting notes, visit MichelleForBoston.com or sign up to receive these notes

automatically each week by email.