Monday, June 28, 2010

Neighborhood Association Meeting Tomorrow Night!

FPNA Community Meeting
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010
7-9 PM
FP3 Lobby, 354 Congress St.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Mitigation Funds Being Used for Congress St. Bridge

Hub developer giving $3M for Southie bridge - BostonHerald.com
Boston Herald 6-28-10

Boston Properties is putting up $3 million in mitigation funds to improve
the Congress Street Bridge to South Boston¹s Fort Point area.

The Boston Redevelopment Authority has approved the transfer of the cash
from the Atlantic Wharf project, formerly Russia Wharf, under construction
along Fort Point Channel with an expected occupancy date in February.

The developer is providing public improvements to the area, including
Harborwalk, a plaza and promenade that connects to the water transportation
facilities at 500 Atlantic Ave., and Children¹s Wharf Park. It will also
expand the Congress Street sidewalk.

The attached bridge tender¹s house on the Congress Street Bridge has already
been demolished and will be replaced. Construction is expected to start this
summer.

BRA officials said a new facility is necessary to match the upgrades to the
area¹s public realm and to accommodate the expected increase in pedestrian
activity from those who live, work and visit the area.

Atlantic Wharf is a mixed-use development that includes up to 709,500 square
feet of office space, about 92,000 square feet of residential space with 65
residential rental units, 69,000 square feet of retail, restaurant and civic
space with 650 below-grade parking spaces.

Boston Properties has pledged a total of about $10 million in mitigation
funds for the Fort Point neighborhood.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Hidden Costs of War, 6/24, Art @ 12

The Hidden Costs of War Closing Reception
Thursday, June 24, 4-5pm
Harbor Gallery, UMass Boston

The reception will be followed by a reading in Fort Point:

Grace Paley & Sandra Taylor Memorial Reading:
Patrick Sylvain, Brian Turner, Bruce Weigl, Ellen LaForge Poetry Prize Winner Mary Legato Brownell
June 24, 7pm
Art @ 12, 12 Farnsworth Street, Boston MA




Thursday, June 17, 2010

Distillery Redevelopment Meeting

There will be a Distillery Redevelopment Impact Advisory Group (“IAG”) Meeting on Thursday, June 24, 6:00-7:30PM, at the Boys and Girls Club, 230 West Sixth Street in South Boston. The purpose of the meeting is for the development team to update the IAG on the project, which was approved by the BRA Board in September 2009.

All members of the public are welcome to attend IAG meetings.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Boston Public Market on Dewey Square

Boston Public Market
Tuesdays and Thursdays in 2010
May 27 through November 23
11:30AM - 6:30PM

Dewey Square (the greenspace in front of South Station)

History

The Boston Public Market at Dewey Square opened in June of 2006 as the first activation of the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Located near one of Boston's busiest transit stations, as well as numerous office buildings, the Leather District, Fort Point and Chinatown, Dewey Square is host to tens of thousands of people who pass by every day.

Vendors

A list of vendors is available on the Federation of Mass Farmers Markets website. Click the "Change page" links on the bottom of the page to see the entire list.

New vendors are always welcome at Dewey Square; please email bostonpublicmarket@gmail.com or call 541-521-0728 for more information.


http://www.bostonpublicmarket.org/dewey.html

Monday, June 07, 2010

Pappa Gallo Liquor License

As mentioned in a previous post, the 'Legendary Restaurant Group' is seeking a 2 AM liquor license for a new restaurant/bar called Pappa Gallo at 283 Summer St.

Even if you don't live across the street from it, this license will set a precedent for what future bars and restaurants will be allowed to do, so it's important for the neighborhood to speak up.  The Licensing Board wants to hear from residents and does listen (as we saw with Artistry and Barlow's).


If you have not, please consider writing a letter with your thoughts.  It only takes a minute and can be a brief as you like (two sentences is fine).  You can email Casey Hines at the Mayor's office and she said she would get them to the board: Casey.Hines@cityofboston.gov

A few concerns/suggestions I've heard from residents:

  • 2 AM is too late for a residential neighborhood and will attract a "last call" crowd.  For the first year, one option would be to make the license end at 11 PM (patrons out by 11:30) M-Th, and 12 (out by 12:30) on Friday and Saturday. 
  • Ensure that there is someone at the door to help patrons find taxis and to control noise.
  • Prohibit how late private parties can go.

Friday, June 04, 2010

Opening Receptions and Artists' Talks

The FPAC Gallery at 300 Summer Street

The Adventures of Innocence, June 04, 2010 - July 09, 2010
Chris Fitch and
Erica von Schilgen

Opening Reception:
Thursday June 10, 5:30 - 8 pm
opening sponsored by The Channel Cafe

Artists' Talk:
Friday July 2, 6:30 pm

The artists Chris Fitch and Erica von Schilgen are known for their charming and eccentric mechanical creations. "The Adventures of Innocence" presents new work in a variety of media ranging from the silly to the serious that explores perspectives on personal and cultural relationships with the notion of innocence in American society and how these perspectives evolve as we age.

Made in Fort Point (12 Farnsworth Street)

Meg Weed, Vehicles of Mass. Construction

Opening Reception:
Thursday June 10th, 5-7pm
complimentary refreshments from
FPAC, Sportello and Sagarinos

Artist's statement: "The inspiration for this work began about 15 years ago. I started sketching and taking photos of cranes, trucks and earth moving vehicles. As an architect I had access to some construction sites but found I had a selection of views living in the Fort Point neighborhood."

Conversations Made in Fort Point
an art and video installation
Jason Agee and Kippy Goldfarb

Through July 24, 2010

Opening Reception:
Thursday June 10th, 5-7pm
complimentary refreshments from
FPAC, Sportello and Sagarinos

Conversations Made in Fort Point presents 10 complete interviews with artists working and living in the Fort Point Area of Boston. Interviews were conducted by Kippy Goldfarb, artist and photographer and documented by videographer Jason Agee, both of Fort Point Conversations chart a course from how each artist came to the neighborhood, to the reasons why they do what they do, in an exploration of what makes the Fort Point Arts Community a unique place. Gallery installation pairs candid interviews with artwork from each of the artists.

The artists interviewed are:

Don Eyles, Liliana Folta, Amy MacDonald, Karen McFeaters, Jen Mecca, Leslie Miller, Jason Pechinski, Claudia Ravashiere, Nick Thorkelson, Karen Stein and Ben Gaydos

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Meetings Scheduled to Discuss Proposed Street Cleaning Ordinance

Two press releases from Councilor Linehan's office on his proposed "No Tow" street cleaning ordinance for South Boston:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 1, 2010
Contact: Tim Brown, 617-635-3203, Timothy.Brown@cityofboston.gov

Street Cleaning/ Towing Community Meetings


City Councilor Bill Linehan and the Boston Transportation Department will hold three community meetings in South Boston to discuss the Councilor’s proposed ‘No Tow’ Street Cleaning Program. Under the program, towing will be suspended and violators will receive a $100 ticket in the South Boston neighborhood. The City of Boston will determine whether or not to implement Councilor Linehan’s proposal based upon the outcome of these meetings, so it is important residents make every effort to attend.

Community Meetings:

Monday, June 7th 6:30 pm – Joseph P. Tynan School, 650 East Fourth Street

Tuesday, June 8th 6:30 pm – James Condon Elementary School, 200 D Street

Thursday, June 10th 6:30pm - St. Brigid’s Parish, 841 East Broadway

Councilor Linehan encourages all South Boston residents to offer their feedback in any way. Please contact his office with any questions or comments: 617-635-3203 or Bill.Linehan@cityofboston.gov

****

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 1, 2010
Contact: Tim Brown, 617-635-3203, Timothy.Brown@cityofboston.gov

Councilor Linehan’s Last Ditch Effort for “No-Tow” Street Cleaning Program


Councilor Linehan has drafted an ordinance that would allow the implementation of a “No-Tow” Street Cleaning Program in South Boston. The matter will be presented at a public hearing of the Boston City Council on Monday April 5th at 2:30 PM. Under the program, towing will be suspended and violators will receive a $100 ticket. Councilor Linehan believes the Public Works & Transportation Department can assess the program over the spring months by using this tool. Linehan’s goal is the permanent elimination of towing by private contractors in South Boston.

"I believe we can effectively clean our streets without towing," Linehan explains. "This plan will demonstrate we can improve street cleaning, increase compliance and use a less punitive approach that makes better use of our resources."

The “No-Tow” proposal will allow the City to capture more revenue while creating a greater deterrent to get cars off the street. The burden of the fine will now be equally applied with no monies going to private tow companies. Violators also won't experience the added hassle of retrieving their vehicle.

With the increased ticket, the City will have a greater capacity to clean around cars and any debris left behind by the sweeper. The plan also presents a more “green” alternative to the current program by conserving resources, discontinuing the environmentally unfriendly practice of towing and decreasing the amount of idling by multiple City vehicles while they wait for the police to authorize each tow.

Councilor Linehan credits the Mayor's office for improved and expanded street cleaning efforts during the winter months. Both offices worked together to change the hours of operation for street cleaning in South Boston from 8am-4pm to 9am-5pm. This modification has been a huge success, allowing residents an extra hour to get their vehicles off the road in the morning hours.

With the “No Tow” Street Cleaning Program, Councilor Linehan has created a new transportation zone, “Zone C”, encompassing the entire South Boston neighborhood. It is important to note that Councilor Linehan’s proposal can only be implemented if the Boston Public Works & Transportation Department adopts and uses the new “Zone C”. If the program is successful, the City will have the power to expand the boundaries of “Zone C” to include other neighborhoods.

Following the Monday’s City Council hearing, Councilor Linehan will ask that the ordinance be put to a vote of the full Council. Councilor Linehan strongly encourages all residents to offer their feedback in anyway. Please make every effort to attend Monday’s hearing, call Councilor Linehan’s office or call the Mayor’s hotline at 617-635-4500.

The Boston City Council’s Committee on Government Operations will convene on Monday, April 5th at 2:30 PM. The hearing will be in the Christopher A. Iannella Chamber on the Fifth Floor of Boston City Hall. Members of the public who wish to testify should arrive five minutes early to sign in.

Written comments can be sent to Nathan Pham at Nathan.Pham@cityofboston.gov or mailed to Boston City Council, One City Hall Square- Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02201. Councilor Linehan can be reached at 617-635-3203 or by email at Bill.Linehan@cityofboston.gov.