Dear Members and Friends:
This week brings the year’s shortest days, until winter solstice on December 21st, when daylight hours begin to grow again. The symbolic rebirth of the sun sparks hope, joy, and light. Happy Holidays, Fenway Friends!
One hope is for a better functioning MBTA: Click here to read full notice of disruptions and alternative routes, including shuttles and free bus lines. Click here for Green Line alternatives options.
As growth continues in the Fenway new developments are also coming to Longwood Medical Area with plans for an enlarged 14-story rebuild at 1 Joslin Place (meeting details below). Is all this growth being considered in the Fenway Transportation Action Plan? We haven’t heard much on this front in awhile. Open Space has never been so important, which may motivate you to attend Tuesday’s meeting on proposed zoning amendments to Article 33.
For details, please read on….
THE WEEK AHEAD
Tuesday, December 19, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Open Space Zoning Updates Public Meeting Click here for more info and to Register
The BPDA Planning team will host a virtual public meeting on December 19, on proposed amendments to Article 33, the zoning article that regulates Boston’s Open Space Districts. Discuss draft updates to Article 33 that would create a new stadium and public amphitheater zoning district, in order to enable greater investment and amenities in the city’s open spaces, including those like White Stadium. Also discuss how this proposed zoning district would be applied to already existing locations in the city’s parks and open spaces.
Wednesday, December 20 3:30 p.m.until supplies last, Fenway Cares – Food Distribution EAST FENWAY (full details below)
WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE (ends Thursday, December 21)
In partnership with the Boston Public Health Commission and the Fenway Civic Association, hosted by the Fenway Community Center. Please bring new or clean, gently worn clothing and shoes – new warm winter clothing is especially encouraged, as well as new undergarments and socks.
Drop off at FCC, 1282 Boylston Street (enter on Jersey Street):
Monday and Tuesday 12/18 and 12/19 @ 12-4pm
Thursday 12/21 @ 12-7pm final collection date.
UPCOMING
First Night Boston – https://www.firstnightboston.org/
Boston Symphony Orchestra – free Community Chamber Concerts – starting in January
Check out the BSO’s community chamber concert page to see a series of free concerts at various locations including the Fenway Center, 77 St Stephen St, Boston, MA 02115. Follow this link to view the list of concerts, click on the performance you want to see, then click the Ticket button for your free tickets! There are multiple dates for daytime performances at the Fenway location through March.
Thursday, Jan 04, 2024, 6:00 PM – 7:30 p.m., 1 Joslin Place Project – Public Meeting (online) PROJECT PAGE
The Project is anticipated to involve the demolition of the existing Joslin Diabetes Center Building and the construction of a new approximately 14-story building containing approximately 300 inpatient beds and 20 observation beds for Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI), together with clinical support space on lower floors for Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a below-grade inpatient imaging department for DFCI and a below-grade garage containing approximately 250 accessory vehicle parking spaces.
How to Participate
Register in advance:
Meeting ID: 160 224 7248
Toll-free call-in number: (833) 568 – 8864
Tuesday, January 9, 5:30 p.m., Monthly Community Police Meeting in the conference room of Morville House, 100 Norway Street.
Monthly community police meetings have resumed in the East Fenway. Meetings will be held the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 5:30 in the conference room of Morville House, facilitated by D-4’s Officer Evans. Come hear your community news and discuss concerns with District 4!
TO BE RESCHEDULED: The BPDA Virtual Public Meeting on 2 Charlesgate West project. (Dec 21 meeting date postponed.)
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Draft Project Impact Report (DPIR) that was filed and its potential impacts. The meeting will include a presentation followed by questions and comments from the public. The Proposed Projectconsists of approximately 290,000 square feet. The program will include 406 residential units, 2,860 SF retail at the Ipswich Street level and indoor bike parking for 408 bikes. The Proponent is proposing the Project to provide 61 units (15%) of on site affordable housing units exceeding the City of Boston’s applicable IDP requirements. There is no onsite parking planned for the Project. A new publicly accessible open stair and enclosed public elevator is proposed, joining Ipswich Street with Boylston Street and providing access to the Back Bay Fens.
ONGOING
Winter in The Fenway
The Rink 401 Park
M–F: 3–9PM SAT: 11AM–10PM SUN: 11AM–8PM
The Fenway Tree Farm
OPEN DAILY: 9 AM – 9 PM @ 1400 BOYLSTON STREET
Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m.until supplies last, Fenway Cares – Food Distribution Upcoming Dates
WEST FENWAY: 12/27 (No home deliveries on this date)
EAST FENWAY: 12/20 (*Home deliveries for Morville House and Church Park) https://fenwaycommunitycenter.org/food-distributions/
To ensure we provide food to all who need it, choose one site only – either East or West Fenway – on site dates indicated below. Note: pick up at either location is not available to those who sign up for delivery. We thank everyone for this cooperation!
West Fenway – Fenway Community Center, 1282 Boylston Street (enter at Jersey Street), every other Wednesday: Dec. 27, Jan. 10 etc.
East Fenway – Symphony Community Park, 39 Edgerly Road, every other Wednesday: December 20, Jan 3 etc.
Volunteers are welcome to sign up for all dates and both locations! To sign up, visit our Fenway Cares Volunteer Sign up Form
To learn more, visit: https://fenwaycommunitycenter.org/fenway-cares/.
MGH/MBG Community Care Health Clinic – 2-5 p.m. on Fenway Cares dates, East Fenway, inside Morville House, 100 Norway Street. Current offerings include blood pressure monitoring, COVID-19, flu, and a limited number of pneumonia vaccines.
DEVELOPMENT LINKS for BPDA PROJECTS
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
“Under Review”: Fenway Corners (West), 409 Huntington Avenue, 2 Charlesgate West, 142-146 St. Mary’s Street, 1400 Boylston Street, and in neighboring Back Bay: Belvidere Student Housing (converting Sheraton Hotel south tower into student dormitory); in Longwood Medical Area: 1 Joslin Place
“Board Approved” are clear to proceed
See you around!
Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood
Fenway Civic Association 