What Will Become Of The Channelside Parking Lot?

updated 9/9/20: Added 9/10 BPDA board meeting. Previous update included presentations and video links for public meetings hosted by the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) to cover planned development of the parking lot along A Street and along the Fort Point Channel.

Related Beal (244 - 284 A Street) and National Development & Alexandria Real Estate Equities (15 Necco  & 5 Necco Street) have projects planned for the neighborhood adding 4 new buildings and including 2 historic buildings.

15 Necco (former GE Headquarters) as of 08/04/20

15 NECCO ST.  (former GE headquarters)

BPDA Board Meeting

Thursday, September 10, 2020

Testimony should be submitted by Thursday at 3:30 PM to bpdaboard@boston.gov. 

BPDA Final Public Community Meeting

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

National Development & Alexandria Real Estate 

6:00 p.m. via Zoom meeting

View Presentation
Watch meeting



After the meeting, please email your comments by Monday, September 7 to:

BPDA Project Manager Aisling Kerr
BPDA Deputy Director for Climate Change and Environmental Planning Rich McGuinness 
BPDA Senior Resilience & Waterfront Planner Joe Christo
District City Councilor Ed Flynn
Councilor-At-Large Michael Flaherty
State Senator Nick Collins
State Representative David Biele 
FPNA 

244 - 284 A ST (former Channelside parking lot) 

Boston Civic Design Commission

244- 284 A Street (former Gillette Channelside parking lot)

Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020
approximately 6 pm (meeting starts at 5:15 pm)
View Presentation

BPDA Public Community Meeting Kickoff 
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Sneak preview of Presentation
Watch meeting

originally published 08.18.20

Time To Vote Is Today

Updated 9/1/20: You may also drop off your mail-in ballet at City Hall first floor Congress St entrance up until 8 pm today (9/1) or vote in person instead at the polls. Read below for vote in person safety instructions and the opportunity to complete the 2020 Census simultaneously.  

The time to vote is today. The state primary election is Tuesday, September 1, 2020

Important primary races this year include our U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, MA Senator and MA Representative.

Ward 6 Precinct 1 Sample Democratic Ballot

Ward 6 Precinct 1 Sample Republican Ballot

IN-PERSON VOTING

In-person voting will take place at the Condon School Cafeteria at 200 D. St (behind the Laboure Center) on September 1 from 7 am to 8 pm.

Please remember to wear a mask and keep 6 feet apart while in line and voting. You will be asked to sanitize your hands upon entry. Poll workers will be wearing appropriate PPE. Voting marking pens will be provided with your ballot and disinfected after each use. More details.

Plus complete the 2020 Census on your way in or out! There will be a booth in front of the Condon School from 7 am to 11 am and from 3 pm to 8 pm.

*****

If you have moved recently, check your voter registration status. If you are new to the neighborhood, welcome. You can register to vote here. The voter registration deadline for the State Primaries is August 22, 2020. 

Voting will be different this year because of the pandemic. Voters will have the additional option to vote by mail. In July, the Massachusetts legislature approved a voting by mail-in ballot  to ensure that all registered voters concerned about voting in person due to COVID-19 precautions have another option to exercise their right to vote. You should have received an application for a mail-in ballot in the mail already. If you didn't receive an application to vote by mail, you can download the 2020 Vote by Mail Application. 

Helpful Application Completion Tips

• Select a ballot for the September State Primaries, November General Election or both
• Include your signature (without one the application is invalid)
• Postage has been paid — just drop it in the mail
• If you are around City Hall, you may drop off your application in the Election Department dropbox located on the third floor.

DEADLINES

• State Primaries vote-by-mail ballot applications must be received by Wednesday, August 26, 2020
• General Election vote-by-mail ballot applications must be received by Wednesday, October 28, 2020

EARLY VOTING

Early in-person voting will be available at City Hall Monday through Friday (August 22 through August 28)  from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., extended to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday evening.

Early in-person voting will be available at the Condon School at 200 D St from 11 am to 7 pm on Saturday, August 22nd and Sunday, August 23.

published 08.10.20

Channelside (former Gillette parking lot) IAG Meeting Tonight

The BPDA is hosting a virtual Impact Advisory Group (IAG) Meeting August 17, 2020 at 6 pm for the 244 - 284 A Street (former Gillette Channelside parking lot) project. 

The meeting will include a presentation followed by Q&A and comments. Please note the purpose of an IAG Meeting is different than that of a traditional Public Meeting. Discussion between the development team and members of the IAG will be prioritized, with time for questions and comments from the public during the remaining time. 

A virtual Public Meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 26th.

How to Participate

This meeting will be hosted online, using Zoom. You must register using this link, then you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the meeting. You will also receive an email prior to the meeting regarding technical assistance. The meeting will open at approximately 5:30 PM for you to join and troubleshoot any technical issues. If you're calling in by phone, you'll need to download the Zoom application to see our presentation and access language interpretation.

Register in advance for this webinar:
www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_1Z7H05I6RPi7Wfay5WqZDQ

Fort Point Landmarks August 2020 Meeting Tonight

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

Thursday, August 13, 2020

6:00 PM

This hearing will be held virtually and NOT in person. 

You can participate in this hearing by going to our Zoom meeting link or by calling 

929-205-6099 and entering meeting id  865 5825 89684 #. 

You can also submit written comments or questions to FortPointLDC@boston.gov 

or via Twitter @bostonlandmarks.

I.  Advisory Review

22 Boston Wharf Road/ Stillings Street.
Proposed work: Install public art.

44 Farnsworth Street.
Proposed work: Modify the ground level façade and construct a new entrance.

II. Administrative Review/ Approval: In order to expedite the review process, the commission has delegated the approval of certain work items, such as those involving ordinary maintenance and repair, restoration or replacement, or which otherwise have a minimal impact on a building’s appearance, to commission staff pending ratification at its monthly public hearing. Having been identified as meeting these eligibility criteria and all applicable guidelines, the following applications will be approved at this hearing:

APP # 21.0094 FPC  33/41 Farnsworth Street: At the Farnsworth Street façade, repoint masonry joints, repair precast cornice, recaulk windows, and select repainting.  

III.  Ratification of 7/09/20 Public Hearing minutes

IV.   Staff Updates

V. Projected Adjournment: 6:30 PM

FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION

David Berarducci, Susan Goganian, John Karoff, Lynn Smiledge, Vacancy,
Alternates: Thomas Rodde, Vacancy

Gillette To Sell Remaining Parcels in 100 Acres Master Plan

To Fort Point Neighborhood Association & Neighbors:

I am writing to share an update on our South Boston site. We’ve recently decided to sell an approximately 2.5-acre parcel of land in South Boston and are just beginning this real estate process now. 

Because you are our neighbors, we wanted to ensure that you heard this news from us first. This land, which is located along Binford street running from the Fort Point Channel to A Street, is part of the 100 Acres Master Plan, marking another step forward in bringing this important vision to life. This is an opportunity to strengthen the growing district, bringing new jobs to the community and the local economy. With this and other development in the neighborhood, we are excited about the potential ahead - transforming empty parking lots into commercial and residential buildings, jobs, new parks and community space and more, making our neighborhood even more dynamic and attractive in the future.

This decision is unrelated to the broader Massachusetts site assessment that we announced last Fall. As you might imagine, this assessment process has been slower-than-anticipated due to the pandemic and is still underway. We will be in touch as we have more updates to share on this front.

In the meantime, we look forward to continuing to see the exciting developments underway
that are making our neighborhood stronger and more vibrant every day.


Kara L. Buckley
Vice President of Global Grooming Communications & Community Affairs, P&G 

Blood Needed: Blood Drive Wednesday At 250 Summer St

The blood supply is critically low right now and Morrison Mahoney is excited to host a Blood Drive on:

Wednesday, August 12, 2020

8:30 am - 2 pm

250 Summer Street 

Sign Up to Give Blood

Limited Slots Available 

The Blood Mobile will park on Summer Street.  Registration and refreshments will occur inside the first floor of 250 Summer Street – just follow the signs.  

Only your medical screen (history, temp, iron check, BP) and the actual donation will take place on the Blood Mobile.  While the process is always clean and safe, MGH has added even additional safety protocols (between every donor they sanitize pens, clipboards, BP cuffs, etc.). 

60% of donations are from Blood Mobiles which were not operating from April to June.  That was 90 blood drives that didn’t occur.

Street Sweeping Ticketing Starts Today

Get ready to move your car during street cleaning or pay the price. Starting August 11, 2020 tickets will be issued around the neighborhood. You can sign up for alerts here. Failure to move your car during daytime street cleaning hours is a $40 fine and a $90 fine during overnight street sweeping hours. Boston Transportation Department will continue their policy of not towing cars until further notice. Lookup nearby street sweeping schedules here.

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

FPNA Cancels July 15th Gathering

At the request of Related Beal, property owner of the Channelside parking lot, FPNA is cancelling Wednesday's July 15, 2020 Gathering and sharing with you their message to the neighborhood. Please note that if you already signed up, your registration will be automatically canceled.

A Message To The Neighborhood From Related Beal

We are reaching out about the community meeting Wednesday, July 15.  Our original goal was to activate the Fort Point Channel and provide summer employment for restaurant workers.  After further discussion and study, we have decided to withdraw our concept to host a temporary restaurant by Lolita on the Channelside site at this time. 
  
We hope everyone will continue to patronize local businesses in the area like Lolita in this time where restaurants are struggling.
 
Thank you. 
  
Best, 

Steve Faber
Related Beal

Upcoming Neighborhood Meetings

Wednesday, July 15th: Fort Point Arts Community invites you to a Fort Point Virtual Open Studios Information Session at 7 pm via Google Meet.

Thursday, July 16th: Mayor's Office of Arts & Cultural invites you to Zoom in about a call for permanent public art for the Northern Avenue Bridge from 7 pm to 8 pm.

Monday, July 27th: 401 Congress Street Virtual Public Meeting Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) is hosting a public meeting from 6 pm to 7:30 pm.

Thursday, July 30th:BPDA 15 Necco IAG Virtual Meeting is at 5:30 pm. The public is welcome to listen in and give feedback as time permits. 

Gillette Chapter 91 Licenses Public Hearing Today

P&G Gillette has applied to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) to request:

(1) rebut the Department's Presumptive Historic High Water mark and remove certain parcels within the existing Gillette campus, and to

(2) consolidate and thereby re-license a series of previously issued Waterways Licenses and Minor Project Modifications thereto for all existing duly authorized fill, structures, and uses located on Filled and Flowed Tidelands of the Fort Point Channel at 1 Gillette Park (Gillette Manufacturing Campus) in Boston. 

The combined public hearing will be held:

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

3:00 pm via Zoom 
Meeting ID: 93094615384

One tap mobile
+19294362866,93094615384# US (New York)
+13017158592,93094615384# US (Germantown)

View Gillette's Request for Determination of Applicability

View Gillette's Consolidated Chapter 91 application

Public Comment Deadline:  August 3, 2020

Submit Comments to the Waterways Program c/o Susan You

Boston Cannabis Board Debuts Draft Rules & Regulations

The Boston Cannabis Board (BCB) will hold a virtual hearing on:

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

1:00 pm 

to solicit testimony regarding the Draft Rules and Regulations. 

Any individual seeking to testify before the BCB at this hearing is urged to email cannabisboard@boston.gov to ensure all individuals can be called to testify in an organized manner.

The BCB will hold a subsequent public hearing on July 22, 2020 at 1:00 pm to discuss and adopt the Draft Rules and Regulations.

Fort Point Landmarks July 2020 Meeting

updated 7/9/20 with links to presentations

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

Thursday, July 9, 2020

6:00 PM

This hearing will be held virtually and NOT in person. 

You can participate in this hearing by going to our Zoom meeting link or by calling 

929-205-6099 and entering meeting id  831 9615 0664 #. 

You can also submit written comments or questions to FortPointLDC@boston.gov 

or via Twitter @bostonlandmarks.

I.  DESIGN REVIEW HEARING

APP #  20.1096 FPC  332-340 Summer Street.

Applicant: Stanhope Garage Inc.

Proposed Work:  Install a planting bed and planting plan. See additional items under Administrative Review

APP # 20.1103 FPC  33/41 Farnsworth Street.

Applicant:  T-C Fort Point Creative Exchange LLC

Proposed Work: Replace entry doors and infill.

APP # 20.1102 FPC 51 SLEEPER STREET

Applicant: NFLSRE 51 Sleeper LLC

Proposed Work: Install HVAC equipment and associated dunnage at the roof. 

II. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW/APPROVAL: In order to expedite the review process, the commission has delegated the approval of certain work items, such as those involving ordinary maintenance and repair, restoration or replacement, or which otherwise have a minimal impact on a building’s appearance, to commission staff pending ratification at its monthly public hearing. Having been identified as meeting these eligibility criteria and all applicable guidelines, the following applications will be approved at this hearing:

APP # 20.1096 FPC 332-340 SUMMER STREET: Refurbish existing steel fence facing Boston Wharf Road. See additional items under Design Review.

APP # 20.797 FPC 300 A STREET: Replace visible HVAC equipment at the roof (modify Certificate of Design Approval). 

II.  Ratification of 6/11/20 Public Hearing minutes

III.   Staff Updates

IV. Projected Adjournment: 7:30 PM

FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION

David Berarducci, Susan Goganian, John Karoff, Lynn Smiledge, Vacancy

Alternates: Thomas Rodde, Vacancy