Dear Members and Friends:
January is typically a time of introspection, hibernation and planning… perhaps you need to do some research or catch up on your reading? We could soon enjoy the benefits of a local library branch, as is in discussion with the 1400 Boylston project. You’ll need to plan your public travel this month, as T work continues. As students return from intersession (as evidenced by the crowds in the coffee shops) you might enjoy a coffee with Maggie, our City Hall liaison, on Fridays at the FCC. Speaking of students, there’s a student housing development BPDA meeting regarding 840 Columbus on Tuesday.
On January 9th, Mayor Wu delivered her State of the City Address, outlining her vision of Boston as a home for every generation. Part of this vision is a reworking of the BRA/BPDA structure – related to this, House Bill H4065 will be introduced this Monday at the Statehouse.
Squares + Streets is yet another new planning and zoning initiative which is described as “creating new plans that can be implemented within 5-10 years.” What those plans are, where they come from, why and how we navigate yet another government layer while the BRA and BPDA are morphing, with seemingly non-stop development meetings… the rapid-fire changes are causing concern and controversy in the civic realm.
Maybe you’ve made a resolution to live a healthier new year? Drop by the the YMCA on Sat Jan 27 for the Fenway/Kenmore Healthy Neighborhood Initiative event!
For this and more, read on…
OUT AND ABOUT?
MBTA disruptions continue: Shuttle Buses Replace Green Line from North Station to Babcock Street, Heath Street, Kenmore January 16-28 for Critical Track Work. Click here for shuttle info and alternative route options.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Monday, January 22, 11:00 a.m.-02:00 p.m. in A-2 , Bill H.4065 MA Statehouse Hearing For details click here.
An Act to improve and modernize planning and community development in the city of Boston, a petition of Daniel J. Ryan (with the approval of the mayor and city council) for legislation to improve and modernize planning and community development in the city of Boston.
Tuesday, January 23, 6:00 – 08:00 p.m. 840 Columbus Avenue, Public – Virtual Meeting NEW DATE: (originally scheduled for January 8)
The BPDA is hosting a joint Task Force and Public Meeting to discuss the recent Supplemental Information Filing for the 840 Columbus Avenue project on the Northeastern University Campus. This project consists of a 23-story, approximately 453,800 sf mixed-use building containing an active community-focused ground floor and student housing above, anticipated to accommodate up to 1,370 beds as well as a student amenity space on the second floor.The Project will provide replacement of 500 “beds” representing students that currently occupy buildings owned by Northeastern and located in Fenway.
To register for the meeting use this link: bit.ly/47cAjSz
Meeting ID: 161 170 6553
Toll-Free Call-in Number: 833.568.8864
Fridays, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Fenway Community Center 1282 Boylston St., Fenway, Coffee Hour with The Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services liaison, Maggie Van Scoy. This is an opportunity to connect with your neighborhood liaison to receive support connecting with City departments, addressing any concerns, or just to say hello and to connect joyfully. https://www.boston.gov/calendar/back-bay-beacon-hill-mission-hill-and-fenway-kenmore-liaison-coffee-hours
Repeats weekly on Friday, starting from January 12, 2024, until November 8, 2024
Saturday, January 27, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m., Fenway/Kenmore Healthy Neighborhood Initiative at the YMCA, 316 Huntington Ave
An afternoon of sharing health & wellness, community, food resources, and more! The Fenway/Kenmore Healthy Neighborhood Initiative includes: Fenway Community Development Corporation (@fenwaycdc), Fenway Community Center (@fenwaycommunitycenter), the Fenway Alliance (@fenwayculture), Audubon Circle Neighborhood Association, Fenway Health (@fenwayhealth), Fenway Civic Association (@fenwaycivicassociation) and Operation PEACE (@operationpeaceboston). Supported by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Beth Israel Lahey Health (@bethisraellaheyhealth).
ONGOING
Fridays, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Fenway Community Center 1282 Boylston St., Fenway, Coffee Hour with The Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services liaison, Maggie Van Scoy.
Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m.until supplies last, Fenway Cares – Food Distribution Upcoming Dates
WEST FENWAY: 1/24 (plus Home deliveries*)
EAST FENWAY: 1/31
EAST FENWAY:(*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 – and pickup every other week. 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 (enter-Jersey)
East Fenway – Symphony Community Park, 39 Edgerly Road
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, flu, and a limited number of pneumonia vaccines. And now offering blood sugar testing!
ARTS & RECREATION
Boston Symphony Orchestra – free Community Chamber Concerts
Check 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 concerts list, 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.
Kaji Aso Studio announces winter art class offerings, including in-person and mixed modality classes in calligraphy, watercolor, sketching, ceramics, poetry, haiku, singing and piano. Check their site for details.
Winter in The Fenway / The Rink 401 Park
M–F: 3–9PM SAT: 11AM–10PM SUN: 11AM–8PM
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. Click on the bold status text to see list of each 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,
“Board Approved” are clear to proceed
Roxbury: Under Review
840 Columbus Avenue project on the Northeastern University Campus
In the Longwood Medical Area: a few to watch:
Under review: 1 Joslin Place
Board approved: Longwood Place at 305 Brookline – related to Simmons; Merck Research Laboratories at 33 Avenue Louis Pasteur – in conjunction with Emmanuel
See you around!
Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood
Fenway Civic Association 