FPNA Kicks Off Fall With Neighborhood Gathering

Fort Point & Seaport
Neighborhood Fall Kickoff

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

 6 pm

Zoom Sign In

Our C-6 Community Service Officers

State Representative David Biele

4th Suffolk District

About the Neighborhood

Updates from FPNA, Friends of Fort Point Channel, FPAC & ICA 

& special guest Carolina Aragon

Suite Six Medical Aesthetics

311 Summer Street

requesting a zoning change of use

Stone Provisions (formerly Sagarino's Market)

an opening update

Please click on the Zoom Sign In. You will receive an email confirmation with the link and one tap mobile details for those joining us by phone. We recommend you sign in advance of our 6 pm kickoff on September 29, 2020.

UPCOMING

Monday, Sept 28: 401 Congress St. IAG Public Meeting at 6pm hosted by the BPDA for proposed change of use to include Life Sciences. More details.

Wednesday, Sept 30: Last day to complete the 2020 Census . You count. You want to increase neighborhood amenities. Help improve our chances by taking 10 minutes to complete the 2020 census. Can't find your code? Don't worry. Here are the simple instructions for completing the census. 

Wednesday, October 7: 244 - 284 A St (Channelside parking lot) Urban Design & Climate Resiliency public meeting 6 pm - 8 pm. Register today.

Saturday, October 24: Last day to register to vote or change your party affiliation. More Details. 

Wednesday, October 28: Last day to apply by 5pm for a mail-in ballot. NOTE: USPS recommends you request your mail-in ballot at least 15 days before Election Day and mail your ballot at least 7 days before November 3d. 

If you have any neighborhood events, news or concerns, please contact FPNA.

originally published 09.21.20

Boston City Council Upcoming Public Meetings & News

Boston City Council September 23, 2020 meeting may be viewed on Youtube.

MOTIONS, ORDERS AND RESOLUTIONS FROM
COUNCIL MEETING:

Councilor Baker offered the following: Home Rule Petition for a special law re: An Act Directing the City of Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for police officers for Daryle P. Lamonica. 

Councilors Flaherty and Flynn offered the following: Order for a hearing regarding relief for our local Cultural Civic and War Veterans Clubs during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Councilor Bok offered the following: Order for a hearing regarding a Boston Sestercentennial Commission to mark the 250th anniversary of 1776 through inclusive historic preservation and commemoration.

Councilors Mejia and Essaibi-George offered the following: Resolution recognizing September as Suicide Prevention Month in the City of Boston.

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND HEARINGS: Monday September 28, 2020 at 11:00 AM (Virtual Meeting) City & Neighborhood Services hearing on Docket #0890 - Order for a hearing to discuss internet access and digital equity in the City of Boston Tuesday September 29, 2020 at 10:00 AM (Virtual Meeting) Government Operations hearing on Docket #1003 - Petition for a special law re: An Act directing the City of Boston Police Department to waive the maximum age requirement for Police Officer Daryle LaMonica Wednesday September 30, 2020 at 12:00 PM (Virtual Meeting) Council Meeting: Watch Live Thursday October 1, 2020 at 10:00 AM (Virtual Meeting) Government Operations working session on Docket #0225 - Ordinance to create the Special Commission on Ending Family Homelessness.

Outdoor Dining Extended, Boston Police Task Force Recommendations, Resiliency Fund Update & More

EXTENSION OF OUTDOOR DINING

• The Mayor announced an extension of the Outdoor Dining Program beyond its original end date of October 31. Restaurants using private outdoor space can continue to do so for the duration of the public health emergency. And restaurants using public space on streets and sidewalks can continue until December 1.

• The City will also waive application fees for the use of outdoor propane heaters in dining areas. Restaurants will still need a permit from the Fire Department, and safety regulations around their use will remain in place. Restaurants can use electric heaters without a permit, as long as no cords are crossing sidewalks.

POLICE REFORM TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS

The Boston Police Reform Task Force has completed its initial, draft recommendations to bring lasting, systemic change to the Boston Police Department (BPD), and enhance enforceability, accountability, trust, and transparency, improving the relationship between the BPD and the Boston community that it serves and protects. The recommendations are translated into five languages, and the full report is available here. There is a two-week public comment period before the final recommendations are submitted to Mayor Walsh.

The Task Force is encouraging the public to review the recommendations and provide feedback within this timeframe. There will also be a public listening session on Tuesday, September 22 at 4 pm where residents can give spoken feedback in any language.

Written feedback will be accepted until Friday, September 25, in any language. Learn more: bit.ly/BPDreform.

BOSTON RESILIENCY FUND UPDATE

• In the past month, the Boston Resiliency Fund has provided new grants totaling over half a million dollars, to 25 local organizations. 

• Since launching the Fund, the City has invested more than $26 million to meet the vital needs of our residents. About half of those funds have gone to feed children, families, and seniors. 

• The City is launching a new partnership this week to expand food access in Boston’s immigrant communities. Fair Foods is a local nonprofit that gets nutritious food and produce to families who need it.

• Using a Resiliency Fund grant, Fair Foods will partner with over a dozen grassroots organizations that serve immigrant communities---where many do not qualify for state or federal assistance. They’ll provide fresh produce and food vouchers to families in need, regardless of their immigration status. 

• Fair Foods sites have been added to the City’s food resources map at boston.gov/FoodResourcesMap. 

 

RFP ANNOUNCED FOR SMALL BUSINESS TECH PROGRAMS

The City of Boston has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) inviting proposals from small business technical assistance entities to provide technical assistance to small businesses in the City of Boston.  The RFP is designed to expand economic and entrepreneurial opportunity throughout the city, and support a safe and equitable economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.  Completed proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis each month, beginning on September 30, 2020 and ending Friday, January 31, 2023, and can be submitted electronically via the Supplier Portal. Changes to the upcoming Technical Assistance RFP round include: Providers may submit bid contracts for a period up to three years, an increase from the previous 18-month period, providing greater consistency for TA Providers; TA provider applications will be open on a rolling, monthly basis, allowing the City to respond to evolving needs of our small businesses; Inclusion of a request for providers that can support certification of minority and women-owned businesses (MWBEs). Prospective TA providers are encouraged to participate in an upcoming information session to address questions relative to the content of the RFP. A session will be offered virtually on Zoom on Tuesday, September 21 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Links to these sessions on the Office of Economic Development Facebook page.  Every month, on the first business day of the month, applications will be downloaded from the City of Boston Supplier Portal website for review. The RFP will appear live again the next day for the following month. In order to participate in these online procurement activities, bidders must register with the Supplier Portal. COVID-19 CASES The City of Boston has 16,430 positive cases of coronavirus. So far, 13,045 of these 16,430 residents have fully recovered. Unfortunately, there have been 759 COVID-19 related deaths in Boston.  The City posts race and ethnicity data for deaths, as well as for confirmed cases here. The Boston Public Health Commission will be providing the updated total of cases in Boston residents as it is received from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Information can be found at boston.gov/coronavirus or bphc.org. Massachusetts has 124,139 positive cases of coronavirus and 9,051 deaths reported at this time.

Transportation & Parking: 244 -248 A Street Development Meeting

updated 9/18/20 with meeting presentation and meeting video (links below).

The Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) will be hosting a second 244-284 A Street (former Channelside parking lot) Public Community meeting on September 16 from 6 pm to 8 pm. This meeting will focus on transportation, new streets and parking for the new development and the impact on A Street and surrounding neighborhood, especially with the most recently approved 15 Necco building. 

244 - 284 A Street: Transportation & Parking Meeting

Wednesday September 16, 2020

6 pm to 8 pm

View Presentation

View Meeting Video

In addition, Jim Fitzgerald from the BPDA's Transportation Planning team and Pat Hoey from the Boston Transportation Department will also be in attendance.

Due to the large scale of this project (6.5 acres, office, residential and life sciences plus Fort Point & Channel parks), it is being broken down into several topic specific meetings. 

September To Be Proclaimed Flood Awareness Month In Massachusetts

State nonprofits, state agencies and others join together to bring the awareness of flooding to Massachusetts stakeholders.

The Governor, along with members of the Massachusetts Legislature, are proclaiming September Flood Awareness Month in Massachusetts.  This is being done to align with National Preparedness Month, which is also September.

Massachusetts has the highest number of repetitive loss properties in New England, and is repeatedly threatened with winter Nor’easters and Hurricanes.  Our communities regularly battle flooding both coastally and inland from the various sources of water our state has.  Residents, business owners, and property owners across the Commonwealth continue to face the loss of lives, business and property in instances of inland and coastal flooding, and seek assistance in preparing for and minimizing catastrophic loss.

The month will kick off with a press conference and announcement of events at the Fort Point Channel, in Boston, adjacent to Binford Park, which is the site of flooding in past years.  The press conference will begin at 1 pm on Wednesday, September 16th.  The press is invited to attend.

After the kick off, thanks to collaborations with the Office of Representative Patrick Kearney (Scituate, D), State nonprofits, state agencies, and others, there will be educational events and webinars for the entire month of September.  Additionally, National Preparedness Month events are being coordinated to include flood awareness information.  A list of events, and a home page for Flood Awareness Month in Massachusetts, can be found www.floodawareness.org.   

For more information, or for any questions, please email Joe Rossi at info@floodawareness.org 

Fort Point Cannabis Shop Community Meeting

updated 09/15/20 with Facebook meeting video.  Comment period open.  Video link and contact information below. 

The Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services will be hosting a 

Virtual Community Meeting
 Proposed Cannabis Establishment 

Monday, September 14, 2020

6:30 pm to 8:30 pm 

VIEW MEETING ON FACEBOOK

Operator: Keltic Green
Location: 324 A Street (Blue Dragon)
Zoning Change Request: Restaurant to Cannabis

Please join your neighbors and our elected officials to hear the proposal to convert the Blue Dragon restaurant into a recreational cannabis shop. Our elected officials and the Cannabis Commission want to hear your concerns and feedback on this proposed Fort Point location. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and make comments. Keltic Green presented a preliminary plan at the FPNA September 2019 Neighborhood Gathering.

Let the City know what you think. Comments should be sent to:

• Councilor Ed Flynn, District City Councilor
• Haley Dillon, Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services South Boston Liaison

originally published 09/03/20

Fort Point Landmarks September 2020 Meeting

updated 09/09/20 with revisions to agenda. 

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

Thursday, September 10, 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  899 5393 5015 #. 

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

or via Twitter @bostonlandmarks.

I.  DESIGN REVIEW HEARING

APP # 21.0141 FPC  44 Farnsworth Street
Applicant: T-C Fort Point Creative Exchange LLC

Proposed work: At the Farnsworth Street façade main entrance, construct new entry portal with new stone, storefront doors, and signage; and replace granite pavers with brick. 

APP # 21.0142 FPC   253 Summer Street (removed from agenda by staff)
Applicant: Synergy Financial LLC

Proposed work: At the entrance to the 27 Melcher Street lobby, re-clad non-historic brass entry doors, transom, and surround with dark grey metal casing.

APP # 20.797 FPC 300 A Street (moved to Administrative Review)

    

II.  ADVISORY REVIEW 

22 Boston Wharf Road. Proposed work: Construct a head house and roof deck. 

III. Administrative Review

PP # 20.797 FPC 300 A Street 
Applicant: Red Hat Proposed work: Install new HVAC mechanicals at the roof (modify Certificate of Design Approval). 

APP # 21.0136 FPC  332 Congress Street: At the Congress Street façade above the main entrance, replace rotted wood and caulking in kind and paint to match existing. 

IV: Ratification of 8/18/20 Public Hearing minutes (postponed to 10/08/20)

V. Staff Updates

Projected adjournment: 7:30 pm

FORT POINT CHANNEL LANDMARK DISTRICT COMMISSION

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

Alternates: Thomas Rodde, Vacancy

originally published 09.03.20

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