There's a meeting tomorrow at Midway Studios to discuss Gillette's plans for renovating their plant to accommodate more office workers. The renovations are in the section of their facility towards West 2nd street and, among other things, they plan to move their loading dock onto A St.
Informational Session
Monday, November 26th, 2007
6:30 PM
At the Midway Mezzanine
15 Channel Center St.
Please come out and make your voice heard.
For more information, please contact:
Casey Flynn, Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services
617-635-3485
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Article on Barbara Lynch's Congress St. Restaurant Complex
There's an article about Barbara Lynch's new restaurant complex on Congress St. in the Globe.
It's all in the preparation
Barbara Lynch's new restaurant complex in the Fort Point area will put top-of-the-line equipment to use in concepts the chef has fine-tuned for years
By Thomas C. Palmer Jr., Globe Staff | November 19, 2007
Chef Barbara Lynch's new restaurants, under construction in a luxury condo project on Congress Street in the emerging Fort Point neighborhood, don't have names yet and won't be taking reservations before next spring.
But the 15,000-square-foot complex will be a place to eat like foodies in this city have never seen before.
The $7.5 million project will include a fine-dining restaurant, a casual restaurant, a bar, private dining rooms, and a retail chocolate shop and bakery, all of which will be supported by dozens of cooks working round-the-clock in spacious cutting-edge kitchens....
The Fort Point area is only starting to take shape as an urban location for living, working, and nightlife, and opening luxury living and dining locales there presents "a risk for both parties," said Edward F. McCabe, president of Cafco, a Boston construction management firm that specializes in restaurants - including Sel de la Terre in Boston and Natick and Sonsie on Newbury Street.
...
The staff will use a large "prep" kitchen on the ground floor, a half-floor below street level, and four separate "finishing" kitchens. Fine dining for 70 and two private dining rooms that together can seat 45 will be on the upper floor, along with the casual restaurant, which will have counter-style seating.
A small retail shop selling Lynch's made-on-premises chocolates and baked goods will be near the entrance. A 40-seat bar with its own kitchen will be on the lower level.
The lower level is the heart of the "back of house," where groceries are received and vegetables are inventoried and washed. Lamb, beef, and chicken are weighed, butchered, and refrigerated.
... (Read full article)
It's all in the preparation
Barbara Lynch's new restaurant complex in the Fort Point area will put top-of-the-line equipment to use in concepts the chef has fine-tuned for years
By Thomas C. Palmer Jr., Globe Staff | November 19, 2007
Chef Barbara Lynch's new restaurants, under construction in a luxury condo project on Congress Street in the emerging Fort Point neighborhood, don't have names yet and won't be taking reservations before next spring.
But the 15,000-square-foot complex will be a place to eat like foodies in this city have never seen before.
The $7.5 million project will include a fine-dining restaurant, a casual restaurant, a bar, private dining rooms, and a retail chocolate shop and bakery, all of which will be supported by dozens of cooks working round-the-clock in spacious cutting-edge kitchens....
The Fort Point area is only starting to take shape as an urban location for living, working, and nightlife, and opening luxury living and dining locales there presents "a risk for both parties," said Edward F. McCabe, president of Cafco, a Boston construction management firm that specializes in restaurants - including Sel de la Terre in Boston and Natick and Sonsie on Newbury Street.
...
The staff will use a large "prep" kitchen on the ground floor, a half-floor below street level, and four separate "finishing" kitchens. Fine dining for 70 and two private dining rooms that together can seat 45 will be on the upper floor, along with the casual restaurant, which will have counter-style seating.
A small retail shop selling Lynch's made-on-premises chocolates and baked goods will be near the entrance. A 40-seat bar with its own kitchen will be on the lower level.
The lower level is the heart of the "back of house," where groceries are received and vegetables are inventoried and washed. Lamb, beef, and chicken are weighed, butchered, and refrigerated.
... (Read full article)
Monday, November 19, 2007
Landmark District Meeting Tonight
A reminder that the Fort Point Landmark Study Committee is meeting this evening:
Monday, Nov 19, 2007
5:30-8:30pm
Boston Exhibition and Convention Center
Room: 201/202
and again in December:
Wednesday, Dec 12, 2007
5:30-8:30pm
Boston Exhibition and Convention Center
Room: 201/202
The Committee is working on designating a section of our neighborhood as a Landmark District to recognize and protect a section of our historic neighborhood which contains an unusually coherent and well-preserved collection of 19th and early 20th century buildings. The neighborhood reps on the committee are Valerie Burns, Steve Hollinger, Pratap Talwar and Michele Yeles. For more information, check out their website: www.cityofboston.gov/environment/fpc/meeting.asp
A presentation from their status update meeting is available here:
http://www.cityofboston.gov/environment/fpc/pdfs/11-8-07_pres.pdf
Monday, Nov 19, 2007
5:30-8:30pm
Boston Exhibition and Convention Center
Room: 201/202
and again in December:
Wednesday, Dec 12, 2007
5:30-8:30pm
Boston Exhibition and Convention Center
Room: 201/202
The Committee is working on designating a section of our neighborhood as a Landmark District to recognize and protect a section of our historic neighborhood which contains an unusually coherent and well-preserved collection of 19th and early 20th century buildings. The neighborhood reps on the committee are Valerie Burns, Steve Hollinger, Pratap Talwar and Michele Yeles. For more information, check out their website: www.cityofboston.gov/environment/fpc/meeting.asp
A presentation from their status update meeting is available here:
http://www.cityofboston.gov/environment/fpc/pdfs/11-8-07_pres.pdf
Sunday, November 18, 2007
FPNA in the Boston Biz Journal
Our own Cam Sawzin was quoted in a recently Boston Business Journal article about the development of the neigborhood (many thanks to Linda for typing this in):
Fort Point Channel residents await their neighborhood
This is Real Estate Roundup by Michelle Hillman
"Residents of the Fort Point Channel are worried that their lively cultural district will turn into a boring, 9-5 environment full of office buildings and little else. The fears are becoming a reality as more property owners consider building office space rather than residential units.
The highly visible Gillette manufacturing facility has been part of the Fort Point scenery for years. But now, it's getting company. The U.S. Postal Service has announced plans to move its facility deeper into Fort Point, to a 25-acre parcel near the Greater Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The Postal Services' move from its current Summer Street location will free up 16 acres of prime channel real estate for development.
The FBI is weighing a move to a D Street facility owned by Intercontinental Real Estate Corp. If the FBI decides to move its headquarters to the D Street building, Intercontinental's plans for 585 residential units on the site will go out the window.
Another large and previously approved project, called Channel Center, was acquired earlier this year by Commonwealth Ventures LLC. At the time the Connecticut development firm stated in a published report it would redevelop a portion of the 16-building portfolio into 280,000 SF of office space. Nearby on Summer, Melcher and A streets, the Archon Group LP has made little progress in developing the portfolio of wharf buildings it purchased in 2005 into residential. In fact, the developer has said it is waiting for the market to cooperate before moving ahead with the plan to build 87 units at 316-322 Summer St.
To some residents' dismay, the rejuvenation of the old industrial and warehouse neighborhood hasn't taken hold. Developers instead are allowing market forces to dictate what gets built.
"We just want to make sure, now that the residential market has softened, that we don't find ourselves surrounded by office buildings, "said Cameron Sawzin, a resident and member of the Fort Point Neighborhood Association.
Sawzin said she's by no means anti-development. In fact, she views many of the changes that have occurred -- the addition of restaurants and retail -- as exciting. But she is concerned that the promise to create a 24-7 environment with a mix of uses could be in danger.
"We just want to make sure that the mix that was promised to us is kept the same," said Sawzin.
Sawzin and the Fort Point Neighborhood Association want to protect the historical character of the neighborhood and keep it an artists community, not a place with "50 Cheesecake Factories and The Gap": She's not alone.
"There is a real pressure from market forces to dictate what the outcome is in the Fort Point area", said Steve Hollinger, co-founder of another neighborhood group, the Seaport Alliance for Neighborhood Design.
Hollinger said he fears the Fort Point Channel may never become a dense urban environment as planned. He said the Fort Point Channel has always been seen as a back-office location for Financial District tenants but he said he doesn't believe the market should dictate what gets built, because "what happens in Fort Point ripples and has an effect on the Seaport District. The goal is to have a really lively Seaport, a really lively waterfront. I won't say I'm disappointed, but we definitely could be doing a lot better.""
Fort Point Channel residents await their neighborhood
This is Real Estate Roundup by Michelle Hillman
"Residents of the Fort Point Channel are worried that their lively cultural district will turn into a boring, 9-5 environment full of office buildings and little else. The fears are becoming a reality as more property owners consider building office space rather than residential units.
The highly visible Gillette manufacturing facility has been part of the Fort Point scenery for years. But now, it's getting company. The U.S. Postal Service has announced plans to move its facility deeper into Fort Point, to a 25-acre parcel near the Greater Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The Postal Services' move from its current Summer Street location will free up 16 acres of prime channel real estate for development.
The FBI is weighing a move to a D Street facility owned by Intercontinental Real Estate Corp. If the FBI decides to move its headquarters to the D Street building, Intercontinental's plans for 585 residential units on the site will go out the window.
Another large and previously approved project, called Channel Center, was acquired earlier this year by Commonwealth Ventures LLC. At the time the Connecticut development firm stated in a published report it would redevelop a portion of the 16-building portfolio into 280,000 SF of office space. Nearby on Summer, Melcher and A streets, the Archon Group LP has made little progress in developing the portfolio of wharf buildings it purchased in 2005 into residential. In fact, the developer has said it is waiting for the market to cooperate before moving ahead with the plan to build 87 units at 316-322 Summer St.
To some residents' dismay, the rejuvenation of the old industrial and warehouse neighborhood hasn't taken hold. Developers instead are allowing market forces to dictate what gets built.
"We just want to make sure, now that the residential market has softened, that we don't find ourselves surrounded by office buildings, "said Cameron Sawzin, a resident and member of the Fort Point Neighborhood Association.
Sawzin said she's by no means anti-development. In fact, she views many of the changes that have occurred -- the addition of restaurants and retail -- as exciting. But she is concerned that the promise to create a 24-7 environment with a mix of uses could be in danger.
"We just want to make sure that the mix that was promised to us is kept the same," said Sawzin.
Sawzin and the Fort Point Neighborhood Association want to protect the historical character of the neighborhood and keep it an artists community, not a place with "50 Cheesecake Factories and The Gap": She's not alone.
"There is a real pressure from market forces to dictate what the outcome is in the Fort Point area", said Steve Hollinger, co-founder of another neighborhood group, the Seaport Alliance for Neighborhood Design.
Hollinger said he fears the Fort Point Channel may never become a dense urban environment as planned. He said the Fort Point Channel has always been seen as a back-office location for Financial District tenants but he said he doesn't believe the market should dictate what gets built, because "what happens in Fort Point ripples and has an effect on the Seaport District. The goal is to have a really lively Seaport, a really lively waterfront. I won't say I'm disappointed, but we definitely could be doing a lot better.""
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Graffiti Removal
As you've probably seen, there was a lot of graffiti added to the neighborhood recently. If you see any that hasn't been cleaned up, report it to the City's "Graffiti Busters" and they'll remove it for free, as long as the building owner agrees to let them. Their website is:
http://www.cityofboston.gov/propertymanagement/graffitibusters.asp
It has the form the building owner or condo association needs to fill out. You can report graffiti by either faxing that form to 617-635-3284 or reporting it via the Mayor's 24-hour Constituent Service form:
http://www.cityofboston.gov/mayor/24/
Select "South Boston" and "Graffiti", and enter the details of where it's located.
http://www.cityofboston.gov/propertymanagement/graffitibusters.asp
It has the form the building owner or condo association needs to fill out. You can report graffiti by either faxing that form to 617-635-3284 or reporting it via the Mayor's 24-hour Constituent Service form:
http://www.cityofboston.gov/mayor/24/
Select "South Boston" and "Graffiti", and enter the details of where it's located.
Appeals Board Mtg Tues for P&G/Gillette Renovations
P&G/Gillette is going before the Board of Appeals on Tuesday to try to get approval for their renovations to their plant on A Street. Details:
10:30 A.M.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Room 801
City Hall
A public hearing will be held by the Board of Appeal of the City of Boston in Room 801, City Hall, upon the appeal of The Gillette Company seeking with reference to the premises at 1 Gillette Park, Ward 6 from the terms of the Boston Zoning Code (see Acts of 1956, c, 665) in the following respect:
IPOD Permit Article(s): 27P (27P-9) 27P (27P-11) 27P (27P-12)
Construct a new main entrance/lobby addition, renovate interior.
If you wish to express an opinion in regards to the above proposal either in favor or in opposition, please detach the lower portion of this announcement or mail to:
Board of Appeal
1010 Massachusetts Avenue, 4th floor
Boston, MA 02118
Please feel free to call the Board of Appeal at 617-635-4775 if there is a
question or concern you might have regarding this matter.
10:30 A.M.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Room 801
City Hall
A public hearing will be held by the Board of Appeal of the City of Boston in Room 801, City Hall, upon the appeal of The Gillette Company seeking with reference to the premises at 1 Gillette Park, Ward 6 from the terms of the Boston Zoning Code (see Acts of 1956, c, 665) in the following respect:
IPOD Permit Article(s): 27P (27P-9) 27P (27P-11) 27P (27P-12)
Construct a new main entrance/lobby addition, renovate interior.
If you wish to express an opinion in regards to the above proposal either in favor or in opposition, please detach the lower portion of this announcement or mail to:
Board of Appeal
1010 Massachusetts Avenue, 4th floor
Boston, MA 02118
Please feel free to call the Board of Appeal at 617-635-4775 if there is a
question or concern you might have regarding this matter.
Developers Flipping Buildings and Ignoring BRA's 100 Acres Plan
As reported in the Globe, Tony Goldman and Archon have put 316 Summer St. and 322 Summer St. up for sale and are claiming the new owners would turn the buildings into office space. This is in conflict with the BRA's 100 Acres Master Plan (Final100AcresPlan.pdf). The plan, which went through a l-o-n-g community process and was approved by the BRA this past year, strives to turn Fort Point into a mixed-use, 24/7 neighborhood. Without sufficient residential buildings, this obviously can't happen.
Steve Hollinger, of SAND, has a good commentary on the issue:
http://www.bostonseaport.com/SAND/Archive/071023comment.html
Steve Hollinger, of SAND, has a good commentary on the issue:
http://www.bostonseaport.com/SAND/Archive/071023comment.html
FPNA Charter Ratified
The FPNA Charter has been completed and ratified by the Interim Board. The final version is available on our website:
http://www.fortpointneighborhood.org/aboutus/charter.asp
http://www.fortpointneighborhood.org/aboutus/charter.asp
Friday, October 12, 2007
WBNA Letter on Gillette Renovation
Our friends at the West Broadway Neighborhood Association (www.wbroadway.org) have written a letter with their concerns about the Gillette project. It's available on their site:
http://www.wbroadway.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=56&Itemid=1
http://www.wbroadway.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=56&Itemid=1
Thursday, October 11, 2007
P&G / Gillette Renovation
P&G / Gillette are in the process of trying to renovate their facilities to bring office workers to it from downtown. Even though it's in our neighborhood, no one we can find in the neighborhood was notified or given any information about the project, and the neighborhood organizations such as ourselves, FPAC, and SAND were not given notice about the proposal.
This issue was brought up with Councilor Linehan at the 'Conversations with the Councilor’ at Midway Studios. Linehan fielded questions that evening and his office responded the next day to FPNA's email to him:
Our office had met with Gillette and we apologize for not ensuring they reached out to every neighborhood association affected. While Gillette has met with the Lower End Political Action Committee and the West Broadway Neighborhood Association, we heard it loud and clear last night that no one in Fort Point received the same consideration. In response, our office will facilitate a meeting with Gillette to be held in Fort Point to present the proposed renovation. I will be in touch shortly with more information.
We will keep you posted when we hear about the meeting date.
Among the concerns raised were:
-Increased noise from moving the loading dock from Dot Ave to A Street.
-The increase in traffic caused by 300-400 additional car commuters
-Inadequate greenery and greenspace
This issue was brought up with Councilor Linehan at the 'Conversations with the Councilor’ at Midway Studios. Linehan fielded questions that evening and his office responded the next day to FPNA's email to him:
Our office had met with Gillette and we apologize for not ensuring they reached out to every neighborhood association affected. While Gillette has met with the Lower End Political Action Committee and the West Broadway Neighborhood Association, we heard it loud and clear last night that no one in Fort Point received the same consideration. In response, our office will facilitate a meeting with Gillette to be held in Fort Point to present the proposed renovation. I will be in touch shortly with more information.
We will keep you posted when we hear about the meeting date.
Among the concerns raised were:
-Increased noise from moving the loading dock from Dot Ave to A Street.
-The increase in traffic caused by 300-400 additional car commuters
-Inadequate greenery and greenspace
Channel Center Development meeting 10/24
The new owners of Channel Center are holding a public meeting to give an update on that project:
Community Meeting: Channel Center Update
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Midway Studios, 15 Channel Center Street, South Boston
Agenda: Channel Center Holdings VAF, LLC will give an update on the next phases of the Channel Center Project, which is located in the Fort Point Channel District of South Boston
Community Meeting: Channel Center Update
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Midway Studios, 15 Channel Center Street, South Boston
Agenda: Channel Center Holdings VAF, LLC will give an update on the next phases of the Channel Center Project, which is located in the Fort Point Channel District of South Boston
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Councilor Bill Linehan in Fort Point, Tuesday Night
Come meet Councilor Bill Linehan this Tuesday night:
Conversations with the Councilor
Tuesday, October 9th
6:30 - 7:30 PM
Midway Studios
15 Channel Center St
Come discuss the issues most affecting your neighborhood, your street, your quality of life in District 2. Whether it is public safety, parking, clean streets or other city services, Councilor Linehan would like to hear how he can help you in your neighborhood.
Conversations with the CouncilorTuesday, October 9th
6:30 - 7:30 PM
Midway Studios
15 Channel Center St
Come discuss the issues most affecting your neighborhood, your street, your quality of life in District 2. Whether it is public safety, parking, clean streets or other city services, Councilor Linehan would like to hear how he can help you in your neighborhood.
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