New Year's Eve Waterfront Sculpture Stroll

Grab your hat and camera for the largest ice sculpture walk on Boston's Waterfront and don't forget to stay for the New Year's Eve Midnight Harbor Fireworks. 

Boston Harbor Now and Waterfront businesses present 16 unique ice sculptures along Boston's waterfront in celebration of New Year's Eve in partnership with New Year's Eve Midnight Harbor Fireworks.

Spend Sunday, December 31st from 1 pm to 4 pm along the Boston Harbor and marvel at the icy works of art. Download the stroll map. Enter the "Selfie Contest" for a chance to win a "staycation" prize pack!

Locations Include:
Fanueil Hall
New England Aquarium
Boston Harbor Hotel
Yotel
Envoy: Touch-a-Truck featuring Boston's Firehouse Museum
Intercontinental Hotel
Independence Wharf
International Place
Boston Harbor Island Welcome Center
Seaport Common: 85 Northern Avenue
Courthouse Square: 60 Seaport Boulevard
Seaport Place
Boston Public Market
Fan Pier
Battery Wharf Hotel

Contest:
Enter to win a Staycation Giveaway prize package valued at over $1000 by visiting the waterfront this New Year's Eve. Prize include an overnight stay at a luxury hotel property, meal vouchers to area restaurant, a winter cruise and other exciting local experiences.

To enter:
Post a photo of yourself with any participating Waterfront Ice Sculpture Stroll ice sculptures OR Harbor midnight fireworks.
Tag @BostonHarborNow in that photo on social media (Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram).

OR

Register via Eventbrite page and be automatically entered into the raffle drawing for the Staycation Giveaway prize package. One entry per Eventbrite account will qualify.
Random drawing for the winner will be done from all qualified entries on Wednesday, January 3, 2018.

Countdown to 2018 with Midnight Boston Harbor Fireworks, viewing locations at Christopher Columbus Park, Fan Pier, Piers Park, starting at 11:59pm.

If you have friends visiting, there is a new garage in town, One Seaport Garage located at 75 Sleeper Street (across from the Envoy Hotel) is now open.  

Wind Chill Advisory

The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Chill Advisory in effect starting Wednesday night at 7PM until Thursday at noon. Expect wind chills to range from 5 above zero to 20 below zero. The wind chills will cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes to exposed skin. If you must be outside, make sure you are dressed in layers for extreme cold. Please check on elderly neighbors. 

Boston City Council Ends Year With Preservation, Acoustic Music, Marijuana Tax, Schools & More

City Council President Michelle Wu publishes notes from Boston City Council meetings. The Boston City Council considered the following items and more at their December 6, 2017 meeting and at the final meeting of the year on December 13, 2017:

Community Preservation Committee: The Council voted to confirm the Council’s four nominees to the Community Preservation Committee. As previously reported the four individuals are Matthew Kiefer for a term of 1 year, Kannan Thiruvengadam for a term of 2 years, Madeligne Tena for a term of 3 years, and Ying Wang for a term of 3 years. They will join Mayor Walsh’s appointees: Chris Cook (Boston Conservation Commission), William Epperson (Parks and Recreation Commission), Felicia Jacques (Boston Landmarks Commission), Carol Downs (Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) Board), and Kate Bennett (Boston Housing Authority).

Acoustic Live Entertainment:  The Council voted to remove the sunset clause from the ordinance passed last year that eliminated the permit requirement, hearing, and fees for small businesses in business districts to host acoustic live entertainment acts with up to five performers between the hours of 10AM-10PM. The goal was to formally extend a tool to small business owners throughout the city to increase foot traffic and create more opportunities for artists in Boston, and the ordinance included a provision that it would expire at the end of 2017, in order to require review and discussion. At our hearing last week, small businesses and residents reported overwhelming support for the program, citing that it has helped bring in more customers and community members to their businesses.

Recreational Marijuana Tax: The Council voted to approve an order submitted by the Mayor to opt into a local recreational marijuana sales tax at the maximum 3%. At the hearing the Committee discussed ways to allocate the funds collected under this ordinance to a specific purpose at a future time, but which at this time will be allocated to general funds. Councilors Pressley and Jackson urged that the funds should be directed to restorative justice, workforce development, and other areas to help those that have been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs.

Community Preservation Committee Funding: The Council voted to approve an appropriations order for just over $285,000 for the administrative and operating expenses of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) for FY 2018 (July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018). The Council also voted to appropriate $17.9M from the Community Preservation Fund annual revenues for further appropriation upon the recommendations of the Committee. By statute, the administrative and operating expenses cannot exceed 5% of the CPA funds. This appropriation makes up approximately 1.6% of the current fiscal year funds.

BPS Start Times: Councilors McCarthy, Flaherty, Campbell, and Ciommo introduced a hearing order to discuss the proposed start time changes for the 2018-2019 schoolyear. Several Councilors noted that the lottery begins in January and at the very least, the plan should be pushed back. Councilors noted that the goal of later start times for high schoolers is laudable, and we understand the complexity of the BPS system as a whole, but 7:15am-1:15pm schedules do not work for working families. Many Councilors also emphasized the need for communication with much to be improved. Councilors O’Malley and Essaibi-George noted that they will present a letter to the School Committee at their meeting tonight. Councilor Jackson also introduced a resolution expressing disapproval of the new start times and calling for a special meeting of the School Committee to reconsider. Because there was not unanimous consent to act on this matter (Council rules require unanimous consent to act on a matter on the same day on which it was introduced),the Council did not take a vote.

Funding Orders from the Mayor: The Council voted to approve the Mayor’s orders authorizing the City to accept and expend the following grants:

• $17,000 grant from various donors for the Climate Ready Boston Leaders Program. This grant, to be administered by the Environment Department, will fund increased community education, translation of educational materials, and awareness of climate impacts and possible solutions.
• Nearly $4,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to reimburse four police officers on the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force who are traveling to the 2017 ICAC Conference in December.
• $2,000 grant from the MA Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs for the Sustainable Materials Recovery Program. This grant, to be administered by the Environment Department, will fund existing waste reduction program or facilitate new low cost initiatives including purchasing items such as backyard composting bins which are sold to Boston residents at a discounted price.
• $45,000 grant from Harvard Business School for the Office of Neighborhood Development to shape housing policies and real estate projects that will improve the lives of Bostonians.
• A $151,100 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, to be administered by the Fair Housing and Equity Commission in order to fund the processing of housing discrimination complaints.
• $170,000 grant from MassDOT, to be administered by Elderly Commission, to fund mobility management software and hardware to improve efficiency of Boston’s Senior Shuttle operations.
• $440,000 grant from MassDOT, to be administered by the Boston Fire Department, which would reimburse the BFD for maintenance and upkeep of foam capability for firefighting equipment in the highway tunnels throughout the City.
• $50,193 grant from the Friends of Puddingstone Park, Inc. (Kevin W. Fitzgerald Park) to be administered by the Boston Police Department to fund an electronic security project to enhance public safety in Mission Hill.

Next meeting: The next scheduled Council meeting will be January 1, 2018, right after the inauguration!

For complete notes on Boston City Council meetings, visit MichelleForBoston.com or sign up to receive these notes automatically each week by email. 

Fort Point Landmarks December Meeting

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

Thursday, December 14, 2017

6:00 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.from Faneuil Hall).

Design Review

18.690 FPC 303 Congress Street: At front facade install aluminum blade sign

18.687 FPC 258 Summer Street - Sidewalk: Replace an existing light pole with a new light pole that includes telecommunication equipment within its base and an antenna attached at the top.

17.247 FPC 27-43 Wormwood Street: Repair existing smokestack and modify existing wireless communications facility. 

18.689 FPC 25 Thomson Place: At front façade install wall signage and sidewalk patio dining area; and install rooftop mechanical equipment.   

Review and Ratification of November 9, 2017 Public Hearing Minutes and November 30, 2017 Sub-committee Public Meeting Minutes

Commissioner Nominations

Vote to recommend that the Boston Landmarks Commission amend Section 8.0 Recommendations of the Fort Point Channel Landmark District Study Report, specifically regarding commissioner nominations. 

Staff Updates

Projected Adjournment - 8:00pm

FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION

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

Altemates: Thomas Rodde, Vacancy

originally published 12.7.17i

Climate Residency Open House for Fort Point, Seaport & South Boston

Greenovate, the City's community focused climate change initiative team, invite the people of South Boston to an Open House regarding the vision for a Climate Ready South Boston. Meet the project team, ask questions, and give feedback to the design team on:

Monday, December 11, 2017

6 pm - 8 pm

Mass Bay Credit Union

147 W 4th St  (off of A St behind A St Scrap Metal Co.)

R.S.V.P. (at bottom of page)

Climate Ready Boston is the Mayor's ongoing initiative to help the City grow and prosper in the face of climate change. Protecting South Boston from coastal flooding is a high priority. In March 2016, FEMA released new flood maps, which put most of the Fort Point neighborhood in the high risk flood zone. Through the Climate Ready South Boston project, the City is working to better understand current and future flood risks in South Boston, and develop strategies to protect the neighborhood.  If you haven't yet completed the Climate Ready South Boston Survey, click here.

Drop by Climate Change South Boston Open House on Monday, December 11th to learn more about climate resiliency and our neighborhood.

Related Posts

orginally published 11/22/17

South Boston Wide Neighborhood Holiday Party

Fort Point Neighborhood Association

in conjunction with 

our sister neighborhoods associations of South Boston

invite you to

2017 South Boston Holiday Party

Monday, December 11

6 pm - 9 pm

Capo Restaurant

443 W. Broadway

Suggested $10 donation

to benefit the South Boston Boys & Girls Club

 

Come meet your neighbors and enjoy an evening  filled with great raffle prizes, hot appetizers, cash bar and a short performance by members of the Boys & Girls Club at 7 pm. Transportation available via Southie Shuttle. 

*** Please note that the Fort Point Neighborhood Association's New Year's Celebration on January 11th is replacing our Year End Social originally scheduled for December 5th. ***

Seaport Retail & Restaurants, Winter Market & Coming Attractions

In case you like myself are having a hard time keeping up on what is open where in the Seaport, here is a directory of open retails stores and restaurants. locations and coming attractions. Celebrating Grand Openings are For Now, a retail incubator of women and men's fashions, and La Colombe Coffee Roasters. 

SEAPORT WINTER MARKET
At the Winter Market, guests can purchase trees, wreaths and kissing balls every week, Tuesday through Sunday. All items may also be delivered via bicycle! On Saturdays and Sundays, there will be a cappella carolers and rotating vendors selling giftable items.

Location: Seaport Common, 5 Northern Avenue

Schedule: 
November 24 – December 23 
Tuesdays – Sundays
Weekday Hours: 12 - 7 pm
Weekend Hours: 9 am – 6 pm

RETAIL & RESTAURANT OPENINGS

PWC Building: 101 Seaport
Aceituna Grill
bluemercury
byChloe
Chipotle
Juice Press
Soul Cycle
Starbucks
Tikkaway
Yoki Express

Watermark Building: 85 Seaport Blvd.
Ben & Jerry's
CVS
Miniluxe
Shake Shack
YO! Sushi
Blue Hills Bank
Better Bagels 

One Seaport: Benjamin & Via Buildings
Bonobos
Equinox
For Now: Grand Opening December 7 -  December 9*
La Colombe: Grand Opening December 8th
75 on Courthouse Square (Opening Soon)
Bank of America 
Caffe Nero
ShowPlace Icon Cinema (Opening Soon)
Kings Dining & Entertainment
Luke's Lobster
lululemon 
Mr. Sid 
Seaport Barbers
Sweetgreen
Tuscan Kitchen

Filson (Opening 2018)
L.L. Bean (Opening 2018)
Peter Millar (Opening 2018)
Warby Parker (Opening 2018

*For Now is celebrating their grand opening now through December 9th. For Now is a new pop-up collective and retail incubator for men and women's fashions. It’s a place where customers and one-of-a-kind e-commerce brands can connect in real life; no screens attached. Be sure to stop by their new location at 68 Seaport Blvd. More details.

• Friday 12/8, 1 pm - 7 pm with Alice Walk: Meet the South Boston founder of Alice Walk and watch them paint their newest fabric which will then be cut and sewn right down the street in Southie. Serving up (spiked) Sips from Beacon Blend.

• Saturday 12/9, 11 am - 1 pm with Thelma: Meet the Charlestown, SC founder of Thelma and see why her penny loafer will be your new staple shoe. Serving up (spiked) Sips from Beacon Blend.

Closer to home Hopsters will be opening soon at 51 Sleeper Street in the renovated and expanded former Sleeper Street Cafe. Get a sneak peek and tour during the Fort Point Holiday Stroll Friday. December 8th from 4 pm - 7 pm.

Looking For Holiday Cheer?

Look no longer and look no further than your own backyard to get in the holiday spirit. The seventh annual Fort Point Holiday Stroll, hosted by the Friends of The Fort Point Channel, is Friday, December 8, 2017 from 4 pm - 7 pm. 

There will be treats by Row 34, Bastille Kitchen, Pastoral, Bon Me and more
There will be beverages for sipping at Menton, Mayhew Wine Shop, Craft Beer Cellar, Envoy and more
There will be gifts for sale at the 249 A St Artist Cooperative, Boston Children's Museum, Fpac Space at the Envoy and more
There will be singing by Emerson's premier acapella group, The Treble Makers
It is a wonderful time of the year in Fort Point

Click here to register and start planning your stroll. 

You may pick up the Fort Point Holiday Stroll map at the Atrium at the Residence Inn by Marriott located at 370 Congress Street or at any participating business. Be sure to collect stamps at every stop for a chance to win prizes from local businesses and restaurants. 

At the end of the night rest those weary feet at a free screening of the Fort Point Theatre Channel's We Are Egypt at 7:30 pm at Midway Artist Studios.

Return this weekend for more shopping at the 249 A Street Holiday Studio Sale on Saturday 12 pm to 5 pm, and Holiday Pop Ups at the fpac space Saturday and Sunday 12 pm - 6 pm and at Row 34 on Sunday from 4 pm - 6 pm. For more information read our previous post, It's Time To Put On Your Holiday Walking Shoes. 

Boston City Council Looks At CPA, Marine Park, Plastic Bag Ban, Marijuana Tax & More

City Council President Michelle Wu publishes notes from Boston City Council meetings. The Boston City Council considered the following items and more at their November meetings:

Appointments: Mayor Walsh made the following appointments, subject to Council confirmation:

• Lynn Smiledge and David Berarducci, reappointed as members of the Boston Landmarks Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2020*.
• Kirsten Hoffman and Felicia Jacques, reappointed as members of the Bosotn Landmarks Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2019.
• Diana Parcon, reappointed as an alternate member of the Boston Landmarks Commission for a term expiring June 30, 2019.
• John Karoff, reappointed as member of the Fort Point Channel Landmark District Commission for a term expiring May 1, 2020.

 * Also serve on the Fort Point Channl Landmark District Commission. 

Community Preservation Committee: The Mayor submitted an order to appropriate just over $285,000 for the administrative and operating expenses of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) for FY 2018 (July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018). The order also included appropriations of $17.9M from the Community Preservation Fund annual revenues for appropriation upon the recommendations of the CPC. The order was assigned to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Boston Arts Academy:  The Council voted unanimously to support a $123M appropriation for the construction of a new facility for the Boston Arts Academy, located on the existing site at 174 Ipswich. Because this is a capital appropriation, there are two votes required at least two weeks apart with a 2/3 majority. The matter is now assigned for further action.

Raymond Flynn Marine Park PILOT Agreement: The Mayor gave notice to the Council of a PILOT agreement that the City reached with the Economic Development and Industrial Corporation of Boston (EDIC), the owners of Parcel R in the Raymond Flynn Industrial Park. Instead of being subject to taxes between now and Fiscal Year 2025, the developers will pay $100,000 for FY 2018, $400,000 for FY 2019, and thereafter a rate per square foot on the construction that has been completed, starting with $6 in 2020 and increasing to $10 in 2024. If construction has not begun by FY 2020, the site will be subject to taxes.

Funding Orders: The Council voted to approve the Mayor’s orders to authorize accepting and expending the following grants:

• A $13.8M grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, passed through the MA Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, to be administered by the Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management. The grant will fund the continued support of planning, exercises, trainings, and operational needs, that will assist in building enhanced and sustainable security capacities to help prevent, respond to and recover from threats or acts of terrorism, including chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive incidents.
• A $628,365 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for the Boston Fire Department to fund pre-fabricated fire props to train firefights on wind-driven fires; mid and hi-rise operations; plus expenses for a 4 day driver training program that will bring the BFD into compliance with National Fire Protection Association standards.
• A $200,000 grant for the Beta Blocks grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to be administered by the Mayor’s office for experiments that support Boston’s efforts to create a process for deploying sensors in urban environments.
• A $179,000 grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for the FY18 Local Culture Council program, administered by the Office of Arts and Culture. The grants fund sub-awards for arts, humanities and science related programming.
• A $100,000 grant from the Rockefeller Foundation to be administered by the Mayor’s Office to fund the cost of researching and planning an Economic Mobility Lab to advance economic mobility and security for lower and lower-middle class Bostonians.
• A $69,975 grant from FEMA to fund a consultant to update the functional needs of specific populations and neighborhoods into all aspects of the City of Boston Emergency Management Program.
• A donation of 3 bicycles for use by the District C-6 of the Boston Police Department.

Plastic Bag Ban: The Council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance sponsored by Councilor O’Malley and me to reduce plastic bag waste in Boston (Councilor Jackson was not at the meeting and therefore couldn’t vote, but he did send in a letter of support that was read into the record). This legislation would ban single-use plastic checkout bags; retail establishments in the City would be required to offer only recyclable, reusable, or compostable bags at checkout with a minimum 5-cent fee that would incentivize customers to bring their own reusable bags. Plastic bags are created using petroleum, increasing our dependence on fossil fuels. As Councilor O’Malley noted in his remarks, approximately 370 million single-use plastic bags will be used in Boston this year alone, most for a matter of seconds before ending up as litter in countless parks, streets, and neighborhoods. Taxpayers are already paying for these bags, from cleanup costs and the price of our recycling contractor removing 20 tons of plastic bags each month from their equipment all of which are paid for with taxpayer dollars, to the long-term costs of climate change and degradation that we are paying and our children will pay for years to come. The measure now goes to Mayor Walsh for his signature or veto.

Recreational Marijuana Tax: The Mayor submitted an order for Boston to opt into the municipal sales tax on recreational marijuana at the maximum amount allowed by state law. The order would have the City of Boston accept the provision of Section 3 of Chapter 64N of the General Laws – allowing us to impose the sales tax – and it would set that sales tax at the maximum of 3 percent. The matter was assigned to the Government Operations Committee for a hearing.

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

• Tuesday 12/5 at 6:00PM: Hearing on Docket #0293 - re: BPS Student Assignment Process (Education) [Ianella Chamber, 5^th Floor City Hall]
• Thursday 12/7 at 10:00AM: Hearing on Docket #0196 - re: the Regulations & Enforcement of the Residency Policy for BPS Students (Education) [Ianella Chamber, 5^th Floor City Hall]
• Thursday 12/7 at 4:00PM: Hearing on Docket #1099, Early Education and Childcare Briefing Series on the topic of expanding childcare access (Healthy Women, Families, and Communities) [Codman Square Library, 690 Washington St, Boston, MA 02124]
• Monday 12/11 at 10:00AM: Hearing on Docket #1399 – re: the FY18 Boston Public Schools Transportation Budget (Joint Committee on Ways and Means & Committee on Education) [Ianella Chamber, 5^th Floor City Hall]
• Monday 12/11 at 2:00PM: Hearing on Docket #1062 - re: the benefits of net-zero carbon requirements & incentives for future construction in the City of Boston (Environment & Sustainability) [Ianella Chamber, 5^th Floor City Hall]
• Tuesday 12/12 at 1:00PM: Hearing on Docket #1427 - re: Jitney/Star Shuttle, Inc. (Parks, Recreation & Transportation) [Ianella Chamber, 5^th Floor City Hall]

For complete notes on Boston City Council meetings, visit MichelleForBoston.com or sign up to receive these notes automatically each week by email. 

Make A Child Smile

Make a child smile this holiday season. Donate an unwrapped new toy to the Marines Toys for Tots program. The local Toy for Tots program is requesting toys for newborns through ten year olds.

If you don't have a Toys For Tots box in your building, the closest drop off sites are: City Tap House at 10 Boston Wharf Rd, 451 D St. and LearnLaunch at 281 Summer St on the 2nd floor. Toy donations are being accepted now through December 10, 2017.

For the last 70 years, the United States Marine Corps Reserve has distributed over 542 million toys to more than 250 million children.

It's Time To Put On Your Holiday Walking Shoes

Start by walking over to the South Boston Christmas Stroll Thursday, November 30, 2017. Festivities start at 4 pm at the South Boston Library and carolers will be strolling around East & West Broadway entertaining all in anticipation of Santa's arrival at 5 pm. Bringing Up Baby is hosting puppet shows beginning at 5:30 pm. Don't forget to check out the Shop, Sip and Dine deals. In addition, the South Boston Arts Association gallery, Arts Around the Corner, will be open from 4 pm  - 7 pm at 317 E Street. 


Friday, December 1st marks the second annual tree lighting at Seaport Common (85 Northern Ave). Join your neighbors from 6 pm - 8 pm for holiday tunes by Rich Dimare, sips and treats from Seaport restaurants and giveaways. Light Up Seaport benefits Massachusetts Fallen Heroes and The Galvin Foundation. Register for this free event. 

Mayor Walsh invites you to the annual South Boston Tree Lighting on Sunday, December 3rd at Medal of Honor (M) Park. There will be ponies (yes, ponies), ballon animals, music, refreshments and more. The free event starts at noon and is part of the 22nd Enchanted Trolley Tour bringing holiday spirit to children across Boston.

Shop Local: Unique Handmade Gifts by Local Artisans
Holiday Pop Ups kick off this weekend and run through December 17th. These special gift buying events are hosted by the Fort Point Arts Community (FPAC) at the fpac space at the Envoy on Saturdays and Sundays from 12 pm - 6 pm, and by Row 34 at their restaurant on Sundays from 4 pm -  6 pm. 

fpac space Holiday Pop Ups: Dec 2 - 3, Dec 8-10 and Dec. 16 - 17 from 12 pm - 6 pm with the exception of Friday, December 8th special  hours 4 pm - 8 pm in conjunction with the Fort Point Holiday Stroll
. 

Row 34 Sunday Holiday Pop Ups: December 3, 10, and 17 from 4 pm - 6 pm. 

The Artist Cooperative at 249 A Street is hosting a Holiday Studio Sale: Friday, December 8th from 4 pm - 8 pm in conjunction with the Fort Point Holiday Stroll and on Saturday, December 9 from noon to 5 pm.

Don't take off those walking shoes yet, you will want to stroll through historic Fort Point sampling treats, shopping and being entertained by live music during the Fort Point Holiday Stroll hosted by the Friends of Fort Point Channel Friday, December 8th from 4 pm - 7 pm. Click here for more information and to register, and watch the Fort Point Boston Blog for your guide to holiday strolling Fort Point style. 

GE Innovation Point: December 2017 Update

The December construction update for GE Innovation Point is now available at www.gereports.com/boston and below for your reference. These updates will occur about monthly in frequency, or when there are major transitions in the construction process. As always, if you need to get in touch with the project team or would like to receive updates directly in your inbox, please contact GE at innovation.point@ge.com.

Innovation Point Construction Update – December 2017

·         Temporary fire protection inside the buildings to support the construction has been completed.

·         Stormwater system installation across the site is complete, connecting the existing system in the Gillette parking lot to the brick buildings to allow connection of both area drains and roof drains.

·         The site trailers are being relocated and a portion of the Gillette parking lot will be returned to parking operations.

·         Abatement of windows containing asbestos material followed by temporary window installation will be completed in early December.

·         Abatement of roofing materials is underway and will continue as openings in the roof are required.

·         Temporary shoring, necessary to support the structure as it is opened up to receive the new construction is underway inside the buildings.

·         Ground floor existing slab on grade is being removed to prepare for the new first floor slab.

·         Pile installation inside the buildings and in between the buildings will begin in December in preparation for placement of the foundations for the new elevator and stair towers inside the building.

·         Selective demolition of the center of the building to make way for the new elevators and stairs will begin in December.

·         Utility installation from A Street to Necco St,, across Necco St., and in Necco Ct., will be performed over the next several months.

A Public Art Celebration Ceremony At Noon

Encounter Seaport's newest street art installation, 'Quarks', by Fort Point’s beloved artists Claudia Ravaschiere and Michael Moss. Hear more about the project directly from the artists, take a short walking tour of art around the Seaport and enjoy some sweet treats.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017
12 pm - 1 pm
District Hall
75 Northern Ave
Register for this free event

Discover Newly Changed Plans For Seaport Square

updated 11/16/17: Seaport Square at BPDA Board for approval 11/16/17 at 6:10pm (per agenda) at City Hall, 9th floor, room 900. View Seaport Square Board Memo and revised PDA.

updated 10/20/17: Seaport Square returns to BCDC on Tuesday, October 24 at 5pm, room 937A, City Hall. Public invited to attend. 

updated 10/18/17: Remember to submit public comments by end of day, October 27, 2017 (details below).

Last week (9/12/17) WS Development, who in 2015 purchased the remaining 12.5 acres of Seaport Square, filed a Supplemental Information Report (SIR) to their Notice of Project Change submitted seven months prior. The filing responds to the many public comments submitted from Boston residents, performing art organizations and others including the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) and Boston Parks & Recreation Department. WS Development also filed an amendment to Seaport Square Planned Development Area 78  three days later.

Two of the largest calls came in response to the jettisoning of a 200,000 sf arts center and the elimination of Seaport Hill Park. 

Discover the new plans for performing art spaces, open green spaces and other changes at: 

• Seaport Square IAG Meeting: November 8, 2017 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm at District Hall, 75 Northern Ave. The Impact Advisory Group (IAG)will be discussing the changes made to the PDA and cooperation agreement. The public is welcome to listen. View revised PDA
• Boston Civic & Design Commission (BCDC): October 24, 2017 at 5 pm in room 937A, City Hall.  View Presentation.
• Seaport Square Community Meeting: October 4th from 6pm - 8pm at District Hall, 75 Northern Ave. 
• Seaport Square Community Meeting: September 27th from 6pm - 8pm at the Seaport Hotel, in Seaport Ballroom #1, 1 Seaport Lane. View Presentation.
• Seaport Square IAG Meeting: September 20 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm at District Hall, 75 Northern Ave. The Impact Advisory Group (IAG)will be discussing the changes made to the proposal. The public is welcome to listen.
• Boston Civic & Design Commission (BCDC): September 19, 2017 at 4 pm in room 937A, City Hall. View Presentation. 

View the Seaport Square Supplemental Information Report and amendment to Seaport Square Planned Development Area 78.

Public Comment Deadline: October 27, 2017
Submit comments to BPDA Project Manager Michael Rooney. 

Related Posts

originally published 9.18.17

City Council Hearing For Seaport/Fort Point Public Facilities (Civic Spaces) & Services

Updated  11/14/17: City Council Hearing is postponed pending a new date.

City Council President Michele Wu is sponsoring a hearing (docket #1320) to review plans for public facilities (including civic spaces) and services in the Seaport on:

Thursday, November 16, 2017

11 am

City Hall

5th Floor, Christopher Iannella Chamber

Public is welcome to attend and offer testimony (details below:)
Watch Live

• Whereas, The South Boston Waterfront or Seaport neighborhood has undergone an unprecedented residential transformation, with the population more than doubling between 2000 and 2015; and

• Whereas, The residential population of the Seaport neighborhood is set to continue to grow at a high rate, given that more than 4,100 new units of housing were approved between 2010 and 2016 with some estimates that the population will exceed 20,000 people by 2030; and

• Whereas, Residents in the Seaport and Fort Point do not have immediate access to civic spaces or public facilities, as there is no school, library, community center, fire station or police station in the neighborhood, and

• Whereas, The ongoing and projected developments in the neighborhood represent important opportunities to address the lack of public facilities and services; Now Therefore Be It

• Ordered, That the appropriate committee of the Boston City Council hold a public hearing to review the unprecedented residential transformation of the South Boston Waterfront and to discuss plans to expand access to public facilities and services in the neighborhood. Representatives from various City of Boston Departments and other interested parties shall be invited to attend. 

Members of the public are cordially invited to attend and testify.  If you have not testified at a Council hearing before, please arrive (5) minutes before the call of the hearing to sign up and become familiar with the hearing format, testimony locations, and sound system. Please bring fifteen (15) copies of any written documentation you wish to present at the hearing. Written comments may be made part of the record and available to all Councilors by sending them by email. If you know of others who may be interested in this hearing, kindly notify them.

Committee Liaison: Juan Lopez. Contact via email or call 617-635-3041
Committee on Planning & Development Chair: City Councilor Michael Flaherty

Special Meeting For Bastille Kitchen

The Fort Point Neighborhood Association (FPNA) invites neighbors and abutters of Bastille Kitchen to attend a meeting regarding Bastille Kitchen's request for a live entertainment license on:

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

6 pm

Chalet @ Bastille Kitchen 

49 Melcher Street

Bastillle Kitchen and Chalet are requesting a live entertainment license for private functions and as live background music at brunch and dinner. 

Attend to learn more.

Tuesday Is Election Day

On Tuesday, November 7, 2017, Boston residents go to the polls to elect a Mayor, four City Councilors-At-Large and a District City Councillor.  The polls are open 7 am - 8 pm. 

For residents of Fort Point and the Seaport, the place to vote is the Condon School located at 200 D. Street (off of W. Broadway and behind the Laboure Center).

View District 2 Sample Ballot to see who is running 

and how the candidates will appear on the ballot. 

Exercise your civic right and vote. 

If you live and/or work in Fort Point and the Seaport, then you know the neighborhood is rapidly growing and evolving. Infrastructure improvements can't keep pace with development. We need the City's help to get more city services (fire & police), transportation improvements (buses, bridges & bike lanes), civic/cultural spaces (libraries, schools & community centers), and open green spaces (parks) to support and enhance our community and neighborhood. The Mayor and City Council play an instrumental part, and they look at voter turnout. Please make time in your busy day to vote for our next Boston Mayor, District 2 City Councilor and four Councilors-At-Large. Let the City know we live here and are in engaged in our neighborhood.

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Fort Point Landmarks November 2017 Meeting

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

Thursday, November 9, 2017

6:00 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.from Faneuil Hall).

Design Review

18.391 FPC 343 Congress Street: Replace an existing metal cut-out blade sign with a neon lit painted aluminum sign.

18.454 FPC 55 Thomson Place: At front facade install wall signage.

Review and Ratification of October 12, 2017 Public Hearing Minutes

Discussion Item

Amending Section 8.0 Recommendations of the Fort Point Channel Landmark District Study Report, specifically regarding commissioner nominations.

Staff Updates

Projected Adjournment - 7:00 pm

FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION

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

Altemates: Thomas Rodde, Vacancy