Dear Members and Friends:
We wish you an enjoyable Labor Day, and hope this moving season has been easy on you! Housing continues to be a hot issue in the Fenway, and we continue to advocate for responsible development. We encourage you to engage, whether it’s participation in IAGs, CACs, attendance at public meetings, submitting comments through the BPDA’s project website, or sending your concerns to local elected officials.
IMPORTANT VOTING REGISTRATION DEADLINE: SAT. SEPT. 2
https://www.boston.gov/departments/elections/how-register-vote
The deadline to register for the upcoming Sept. 12 Municipal Elections is Saturday, Sept. 12th. You can register online, by mail, or in-person – check this site for detailed instructions.
Did you just move? You may need some CITY OF BOSTON SERVICES, APPLICATIONS, PERMITS, PAYMENTS. Click here to go to the city’s site.
Click here for City of Bos Trash and Recycling info; including schedules, mattress pickup, hazardous waste disposal and more.
The Fenway is so wonderfully situated that it seems everyone wants to build here, increasing density and bringing more transportation challenges. September is an important month for the Fenway Transportation Action Plan, currently in the analysis phase, soon to be in the design phase. Now is the right time to voice your concerns.
Fenway Transportation Action Plan – Click here for info The Plan will identify and advance projects for implementation and prepare redesign concepts for Kenmore Square, Brookline Avenue, and Van Ness Street / Ipswich Street. Staff will be available through September for informal, in-person “Chat with a Planner” events to learn about community needs and thoughts on travel and transportation in this neighborhood. Next events in the Fenway, (please check their website, as dates may change):
1 Comm Ave at the BU Bridge (September 12, 11:00 AM–1:00 PM)
2 Roxbury Crossing (September 14, 7:00 AM–9:00 AM)
3 Kenmore Square (September 20, 7:00 AM–9:00 AM)
4 Back Bay Fens near Jersey Street (September 21, 4:00 PM–6:00 PM)
In case you’ve forgotten… there is a LOT of upcoming development:
BPDA – PROJECTS follow the links for more info:
Visit BPDA’s website to see details on development projects. You can search by neighborhood, and by Project/Plan Status.
“Letters of Intent” 645 Beacon Street; 142-146 St. Mary’s Street
“Under Review”: 409 Huntington Avenue, 2 Charlesgate West, 165 Park Drive, 1400 Boylston Street, and in neighboring Back Bay: Belvidere Student Housing (converting Sheraton Hotel south tower into student dormitory)
“Board Approved” are clear to proceed.
NOTICES / NEWS / SURVEYS
BPDA Design Vision Survey Take the survey to share your vision for design in Boston. Community Engagement taken through Oct. For survey info click :http://www.bostonplans.org/planning/urban-design/boston-design-vision . To take the survey, click here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Y6HL5YS
THE WEEK AHEAD
° Recover from the moves!
° Take a few surveys…
° Save the dates for upcoming events
° Read some fascinating local history from the 1920s… THE FENMORE: A PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S APARTMENT HOTEL at 1109 Boylston Street – Living with a private family or in boarding houses had been popular with unmarried working women for decades, but by 1920, urban women in the professions were instead attracted to a newer option known as the apartment hotel. Also, there are some fascinating links to oral histories, some photos, and great insight into Fenway’s past. A great read!
UPCOMING
Sunday, Sept 17, 1-3 p.m., Carlton Street Footbridge – Official re-opening celebration. Restoration of this 1894 footbridge connecting Brookline’s Longwood neighborhood with Riverway Park in Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace was completed on August 11. Come celebrate the reopening with the community!
ONGOING
Wednesdays (every other week) Fenway Cares food distribution.
Next date: Wednesdays, August 30, Sept. 13 & 27 – 3:30 p.m.
Need food? Fenway Cares distributes fresh produce, grains, and more at Fenway Community Center and Symphony Community Park. For info: https://fenwaycommunitycenter.org/fenway-cares/. Repeats every-other Wed. Volunteers needed! https://forms.gle/mqo5YoxbmhcL9Ckm8
Free First Thursdays – Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum 3-9 p.m.
first Thursday of each month
registration required – RESERVE your free ticket online
https://www.gardnermuseum.org/experience/thursday-nights
City of Boston neighborhood liaison Maggie Van Scoy. Coffee hours to be scheduled; to contact Maggie, visit her web page here.
The Station and 401 Park Drive park: view programming at The Station and The Green at 401 Park., Events Calendar .
The Fenway Cohort programming by/for the LGBTQ+ community here.
Red Sox baseball… when they’re in town? printable calendar
MBTA SEPTEMBER SERVICE CHANGES here
See you around!
Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood
Fenway Civic Association 