A Look At What's Going On This Week & Next

updated 02/06/24 with links to Abutters Meetings videos. 

Starting today, there's lots going on about the neighborhood, especially our waterfront. Resiliency tops MassDEP's agenda with information sessions this week followed by hearings next week on draft regulations updates to Chapter 91, wetlands and water quality. 7 Channel Center Public Meeting is tonight. Next week Boston Harbor Now is hosting 232 A Street and the Fort Point Channel Operations Board Annual meeting is occurring. There are two new establishments looking to open up and more (see below):

Jan 17: Waterways (Chapter 91) Climate Resiliency Draft Regulations Public Information Sessions (virtual at 1pm or 6pm)

Jan 17: Conservation Commission Public Meeting at 6pm. Agenda includes EMS station at 34 Drydock and a request of extension of orders for Seaport L5 (1-27 Boston Wharf Rd. 

Jan 17: 7 Channel Center Street Update Public Meeting at 6pm hosted by the BPDA to review new building design as well as an opportunity to learn about Life Sciences use and  protocols and communications within a mixed use development. Postponed.

Jan 18: Squares + Streets Zoning Community Office Hours from 12:30 to 1:30pm

Jan18:  Wetlands / WQC Climate Resiliency Draft Regulation Public Information Sessions (virtual at 1pm or 6pm) 

Jan 18: BPDA Board Meeting.

Jan 20: The Gallery at 249 A hosts the opening of Urban Edge, a new exhibit of works by Steve Kromer and Duane Lucia from 3pm to 6pm at 249 A Street.

Jan 22: Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture Chapter 91 Waterfront Civic/Cultural Spaces Survey deadline.

Jan 23: Wetlands / WQC Climate Resiliency Draft Regulations 3rd Public Information Session (virtual at 1pm)

Jan 23: Squares + Streets Zoning Community Office Hours from 12:30 to 1:30pm and from 6pm to 7pm.

Jan 24: Boston Harbor Now's Harbor Use Public Forum to discuss 232 A Street at 8:30am. View video recording.

Jan 24: Fort Point Channel Operations Annual Meeting from 4pm to 5:30pm will take place at the Fort Point room, 2nd floor, 200 Atlantic Ave. Agenda will include:

• Recap of Atlantic Wharf 2023 Annual Plan
• Presentation of Atlantic Wharf 2024 Annual Plan
• Update on Atlantic Wharf Fort Point Room Proposed Relocation & Improvements 
• Other Channel-wide Updates

Jan 24: Sidenote / 391 D Street Abutter's Meeting at 5:30pm New restaurant concept abutting D’s Keys Dueling Pianos. Expansion of all alcohol license between businesses. View Abutters Meeting by clicking here & entering passcode: W66VY.c@

Jan 24: Elephantine Bakery / 332 Congress Street Abutter's Meeting at 6:30pm seeking beer, wine, and cordials license. View Abutters Meeting by clicking here & entering passcode SE+4x?RC

Jan 25: Waterways Waterways (Chapter 91) Climate Resiliency Draft Regulations Public Hearings  (virtual at 1pm or 6pm)

Jan 25: 332-340 Summer Street Abutter's Meeting at 6:30pm. Seeking to renew use as a (40) vehicles fee based parking lot through Dec. 31, 2026. View Abutters Meeting by clicking here & entering passcode Jsqs4&5c

Jan 30: FPNA Neighborhood Gathering at 6pm. Details TBA.

originally published 01.17.24

Welcome to 2024: About The Neighborhood The First 11 Days

updated 1/16/2024 with 232 A St DEIR meeting presentation and MCCA Cypher St meeting presentation and recording.

2024 is off to a strong start with Squares  + Streets, development and road environmental impacts plus a call for volunteers. 

Is one of your 2024 resolutions to be more involved in your neighborhood?
FPNA is looking for a representative from each residential building to act as a Building Captain or Ambassador. Be in the know and share what's going on with your neighbors.
With over 80 acres of land open to development in the neighborhood, we are looking for interested residents to join our Planning and Development Committee.
You may indicate your interest in either area here. Together we can build a better neighborhood. 

Here is what you can expect over the first two weeks:

Jan 4th: Square + Streets Community Office Hours from 12:30pm to 1:30pm and from 6pm to 7pm. 

Jan 9th: Mayor Michelle Wu's State of the City live streamed at Boston.gov or on Youtube at 7pm.

Jan 10th: Zoning Commission Hearing from 9am to 11am.  Agenda includes a zoning text amendment, which would amend Section 80B-2.5, Waiver of Large Project Review Requirements for Certain Projects to Preserve or Create Affordable Housing, of the Boston Zoning Code, in connection with the Mayor's Executive Order to streamline approval of Affordable Housing.

Jan 10th: 232 A Street Community Meeting to discuss the MEPA pre-DEIR (Draft Environmental Impact Report) filing and post ENF filing updates from 5pm-6pm. View presentation. For more meeting details, check out the 232 A Street project website.

Jan 10th: Squares + Streets Citywide Draft Zoning Amendment Update Public Meeting at 6pm to 7:30pm to provide an update on the draft zoning text amendment that will create new Squares + Streets zoning districts to be adopted into the Boston Zoning Code

Jan 11th: MCCA Cypher St. Remediation Project Follow-Up Discussion from 6pm to 8pm at Crispr Therapeutics, 105 West 1st Street. View meeting presentation and meeting recording.

Jan 11th: Fort Point Channel Landmark District Commission Meeting at 6pm.

originally published 01.03.24

URBAN EDGE: Change, Death + Superstition - Opening Reception January 20th

The Gallery at 249 A Street to premier Urban Edge, a new exhibit of works by Steve Kromer and Duane Lucia.  The opening reception takes place on:

Saturday, January 20, 2024

3pm-6pm

249 A Street
Free & Open to the public
Click here for tickets to reception

The exhibit runs from Wednesday, January 10 through Saturday, February 24, 2024. Gallery hours are by appointment only at (617) 416-0718.

Urban Edge is a collection of paintings, mixed media sculptures and photographs of graffiti through which the two artists conjure up thoughts and feelings about vandalism, superstition, street beat, death, surrealism, and neighborhood resistance to change. Kromer’s photographs portray the beauty, vulgarity and rawness not concerned with the comfort zone of others; roadside attractions which don’t need to be intellectualized. Lucia’s paintings and totem sculptures tell of a 45-year journey; a degenerated photo booth selfie, an assemblage of discarded objects, furniture found in the trash, cans, drift wood from the Fort Point Channel and more.

Steve Kromer is a member of the 249 A St. Cooperative. His work “Party of Three” was presented at the 40th anniversary group exhibition at Atlantic Wharf Gallery this past spring. He is a singer, songwriter and harmonica player.

Duane Lucia is a Boston artist, curator and documentary filmmaker working in Fort Point. He is the co-founder of Gallery East, which since 1979 has been a platform for Boston’s avant-garde.

The Gallery at 249 A Street is supported in part by a grant from the South Boston Community Development Foundation.

Fort Point Landmarks January 2024 Meeting

 THE FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION

will hold a public hearing on:

Thursday, January 11, 2024

6:00 PM

This hearing will be held virtually and NOT in person. 

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

calling  929-436-2866 and entering meeting id 971 0592 5189#.You can also submit written comments or questions to FortPointLDC@boston.

I.   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:

► Applicants whose projects are listed under this heading NEED NOT APPEAR at the hearing. Following the hearing, you will be issued a Determination Sheet to present at the Inspectional Services Department (1010 Massachusetts Avenue) as proof of project approval when applying for permits. ISD personnel will send an electronic copy of your building-permit application to the commission staff for review. (To avoid potential confusion, the text of your building-permit application should be consistent with the project description given below.) Commission staff will accordingly authorize the execution of the work,attaching any applicable provisos, reflecting the relevant guidelines and precedents.

► PLEASE NOTE THAT FOLLOWING ISSUANCE OF THE DETERMINATION SHEET NO FURTHER CORRESPONDENCE WILL BE ISSUED FOR THE APPLICATIONS LISTED. The electronic building-permit application as annotated by commission staff will constitute your Certificate of Appropriateness; this will be valid for two years from the date of the approval letter. The applicant is required to notify the commission of any project changes; failure to do so may affect the status of the approval.

APP # 24.0594 FPC 12 FARNSWORTH STREET: Installation of additional Boston Fire Department required signage at the existing building at 12 Farnsworth Street, indicating the location of the building's Fire Department Connection.

APP # 24.0572 FPC 10 NECCO STREET: Replace existing garage doors at first floor located on the South side of 10 Necco Street with new.

II.  RATIFICATION OF 12/14/23 PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES

III.   STAFF UPDATES

IV.  PROJECTED ADJOURNMENT: 6:30 PM

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

Seaport Smalls: Free Fun Saturdays For Your Tiny Crew

Starting Saturdays in January 2024 from 10AM-11AM indoors at The Paseo at 111 Harbor Way, a rotating selection of free children's programming for ages 0-8 years old. Seaport Smalls programming partners are: Jungle Jim with magic & balloons, Little Groove Music, music for kids, Music at The Blissful with Evan Haler, and Whiz Kidz for science & fun. Seaport Smalls will occur Saturdays January through April. 

Reserve a spot for your small one. 

Brought to you by Boston Seaport. 

Reimagining Gillette's 31 Acres. Community Meeting December 6th

updated 12/15/23: with Gillette Reimagination project presentation and meeting video.

As a part of a broader business transformation, Gillette will be reshaping its operations in our neighborhood, marking a new chapter in the company's long history in Boston. The decision will bring an opportunity to reimagine Gillette's 31-acre waterfront campus, unlocking new possibilities for the future. 

The company will host a community meeting ahead of a robust public planning process to help shape the site's future on:

Wednesday, December 6, 2023 | 6pm

View Presentation

View Meeting Recording in English, Cantonese, Mandarin or Spanish

If you would like to Sign Up for Gillette Reimagination Updates via email, click here. 

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originally published 11.14.23

MCCA Cypher Street Remediation Project Meeting Tonight

updated 12/12/23 with meeting presentation and meeting recording. 

The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) and Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) are hosting a virtual Cypher Street Project Meeting tonight:

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

6pm

View presentation

View meeting video

Since the November 2nd meeting, MCCA engaged Ileen Gladstone as the Community Licensed Site Professional. Although this project is different from the Cypher St Improvements Project currently ongoing by Massport, Ileen Gladstone will service on behalf of the neighborhood on both projects helping to answer questions and coordinate between the two projects from an environmental review perspective. View November meeting presentation and meeting recording.

*This meeting is being conducted via Mircosoft Teams. If you are unfamiliar with Microsoft Teams, you may want to click on the join meeting link above a few minutes beforehand.

Contact
Arthur​ Fritch, CMP, CEM
MCCA Community Liaison

originally published 12.12.23

Fort Point Landmarks December 2023 Meeting

updated 12/14/23 at 6:15pm with 30 Thomson Place application withdrawn by applicant. 

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

Thursday, December 14, 2023

6:00 PM

This hearing will be held virtually and NOT in person. 

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

calling  929-436-2866 and entering meeting id 985 3303 8730#.You can also submit written comments or questions to FortPointLDC@boston.

I.  DESIGN REVIEW HEARING

APP # 24.0266 FPC  47 FARNSWORTH STREET (moved to admin review 12/13/23)
Applicant: Mario Watkins
Proposed Work: Install new lighting.

APP # 24.0511 FPC  333 SUMMER STREET (moved to admin review 12/13/23)
Applicant: Jason Parillo 
Proposed Work: In the same location as existing install (1) new blade sign and (1) new wall mounted sign. 

APP # 24.0513 FPC  30 THOMSON PLACE  Application withdrawn by applicant. 
Applicant: Nathan Turner
Proposed Work: At roof install condensers; at rear install wall mounted ductwork and exhaust openings.

II.  ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW/APPROVAL

APP # 24.0497 FPC  9 CHANNEL CENTER STREET
Install temporary signage.

III.  RATIFICATION OF 11/9/23 PUBLIC HEARING MINUTES

IV.   STAFF UPDATES

V.  PROJECTED ADJOURNMENT: 7:30 PM

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

originally published 12.11.23

Toy Drive and Holiday Party

State Representative David Biele cordially invites you to his fifth Annual Toy Drive to benefit children in our community around Christmas and the holiday season on:

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

6-8pm

Amrheins

40 West Broadway

Please bring an unwrapped toy for ages 0 to 16 and help spread holiday cheer to the children in our neighborhood. The toy drive gives presents to over 500 children in South Boston.

Complimentary food will be provided. 

You are invited to

Two Related Neighborhood Meetings: One Civic & Cultural + One Park Design

updated 12/07/23 with 244-284 A STREET CHANNELSIDE OPEN SPACE WORKSHOP presentation and video.

The Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture in conjunction with the BPDA is holding a public meeting on the planning and analysis of waterfront civic and cultural facilities and programs related to MassDEP required Chapter 91 spaces aka facilities of accommodation (FPA):

Waterfront Civic Cultural Space Planning Study Public Meeting

November 15, 2023 | 6:00 p.m.

View Meeting Materials

View Meeting Recording

This meeting will provide the public with an update on the status of the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture’s Waterfront Space Planning Study as well as report out the initial findings from the Related Beal RFI for 244-248 A Street, which will be one of the case studies part of the initiative. 

*******************************

The Boston Parks Department and Related Beal are hosting a community workshop to review and gather input on design updates for key areas/program elements within the two primary parks at the 244-284 A Street (Channelside) development project. 

The workshop will focus on the picnic area, play space, interactive fountain, and overall plantings.

244-284 A STREET CHANNELSIDE OPEN SPACE WORKSHOP

November 28, 2023 | 6:00 p.m.

View Presentation

View Workshop

The green open space is required as part of MassDEP Waterway 50% open space requirements, MHP (municipal harbor plan), and City’s PDA (planned development area), and community advocacy that the parks once created be transferred to the City of Boston Parks department.

Interpretation and translation services are available to you at no cost. If you need them, please contact us at LCA@boston.gov or 617-936-9380.

About The Neighborhood This Week: Gillette, Holiday Art Sales & Other Developments

You won't want to miss what's going on and about the neighborhood this week.

December 5: 7 Channel Center Redevelopment Meet & Greet and Abutters Open House at 6pm at Gilbane's office at 10 Channel Center Street. Meet the new building owners, Phase 3 Real Estate and meet their team, featuring CBT Architects. Learn about the proposed changes to the redevelopment, including full demolition of the existing building and presentation on new design and project timeline. The updated building design is proposed to go before the Fort Point Landmark District Commission for their approval the following week. 

December 5: Squares + Streets Citywide Draft Zoning Amendment Public Meeting at 6pm to present a draft zoning text amendment that will create new Squares + Streets zoning districtsto be adopted into the Boston Zoning Code. Staff will also present on proposed updates to the “Regulation of Uses” section of the Boston Zoning Code (Article 8) to better organize and modernize land uses for today’s needs.  

December 6: Reminder Gillette Community Meeting at 6pm. As a part of a broader business transformation, Gillette will be reshaping its operations in our neighborhood, marking a new chapter in the company's long history in Boston. The decision will bring an opportunity to reimagine Gillette's 31-acre waterfront campus, unlocking new possibilities for the future.  This special meeting hosted by Gillette will help shape the 31 acre site and will be followed by a robust public planning process. Join meeting!

December 7: Opening of PAPER CLIPS, A Small Works Holiday Exhibit, featuring

(mostly) works on paper - all priced under $200, from 6pm to 8pm at the Gallery at 249 A, 249 A Street. Paper Clips features more than fifty artworks from artists working at the 249 A Street Cooperative. The exhibit offers a diverse range of techniques and subject matter. Drawing, painting, printmaking & photography are some of the mediums available for gift giving.

Artworks are original, unframed and attached to the wall with paper clips (hence the name) and affordably priced under $200.00 to meet your budget.

Plus Ornaments & Stocking Stuffers - $25.00 and under.

The gallery is also open by appointment. To schedule a visit contact fortpointstudio@gmail.com

December 8: Deadline extended to participate in the BPDA Article 80 Modernization: Community Engagement Survey  The primary goal of this project is to create a predictable and transparent development review process that builds trust with all those who participate in the process. Read more about Article 80 Modernization: Community Engagement and Development Review Operations Improvement.

December 9 - December 10: Linda Huey Holiday Pottery Sale from 12pm to 5pm at 249 A Street, fifth floor. Linda Huey Pottery invites you to come and see a large selection of pottery with something for everyone, pottery, sculpture, and small affordable gifts. Cookies and punch will be served as well goody bags to take home. For more information, visit LindaHuey.com and via Facebook. The Annual Paperclips Holiday Show with small works by 249 A Street artists will also be open in the ground floor gallery.

Linda Huey Ceramics

Summer Street Pilot Starts Monday

The six month evaluation period for the Summer Street dedicated bus/truck lane pilot and protected bike lane begins on Monday, December 4th. The pilot spans Summer Street from South Station to East First Street. Over the next six months, the City will be piloting these dedicated lanes to improve travel time reliability for transit and freight vehicles. It will also be making cycling safer and more convenient along this important corridor.

The Boston Transportation Department welcomes your feedback on whether these new configurations are achieving their intended goals. There are several ways you can provide input - by taking the online survey, attending public meetings in early 2024, or emailing the project team directly. Let them know what's working well and where there are opportunities for adjustments or improvements.

Sign up for email updates.

The aim for this pilot to balance the transportation needs of all users along the Summer Street corridor. Your feedback will be crucial in determining the right long-term configuration for our city. Read more details on the Summer Street Pilot.