Dear Members and Friends:
February is Black History month — With celebrations and events across the city, the City of Boston has compiled links to educational and historic resources, local events, concerts, black owned businesses and more to celebrate: https://www.boston.gov/news/february-black-history-month-3.
BACK BAY FENS – TREE AND PATH IMPROVEMENT NEWS
Back Bay Fens – Tree Removals news
You may have seen some trees marked for removal around the Fens. Each tree was assessed by at least 3 certified arborists as either dead or high risk trees, many of which are ash trees that have emerald ash borer and elm trees which have died due to dutch elm disease. In total, 46 tree removals are scheduled for late February to early March when the ground is hard and work can be done without damaging the surrounding ground. It is best management practice to remove trees with emerald ash borer in the dormant season to decrease further spread.
Back Bay Fens – Tree plantings
The Back Bay Fens Pathways project will include planting of new trees as part of the larger project scope including rehabilitation of pathways at the Back Bay Fens to improve accessibility and site conditions. This historic park is under the jurisdiction of the Boston Landmarks Commission. The project includes the assessment and prioritization of pathway work, as well as Boston Parks standard project design work. The project will also include items along and adjacent to pathways, such as site furnishings, utilities, and plantings.
Fenway Civic Association will be announcing a new tree initiative at the Annual Meeting, on March 27, details to come soon!
THE WEEK AHEAD
Monday, February 19 – Presidents Day
- City offices, Boston Public Libraries, and BCYF Community Centers are closed.
- Parking meters are free with no time limit.
- Daytime street cleaning is canceled, but overnight street cleaning is on a normal schedule.
- Trash and recycling pickups are delayed in some neighborhoods during the holiday week. To check your schedule, use the Trash Day app.
Massachusetts – A state rich with presidential history. Did you know that four US Presidents were born in MA? And many others have ties to the state, check out this link for more info.
BU Athletics is offering City of Boston residents free admission to athletic home games between Friday, February 16th and Sunday, February 25th.
Residents can view the game schedule and reserve up to eight free tickets per game by logging onto www.GoTerriers.com/BostonWeek.
ONGOING
MBTA Planned Service Alerts: Click here to see upcoming PLANNED service alerts.. Green line will have service disruptions starting on Feb. 20th, and starting the 15th, some elevator closures.
Coffee Hour with Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services liaison, Maggie Van Scoy: Fridays from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Locations rotate and include Fenway, for the most updated information, visit: https://www.boston.gov/calendar/back-bay-beacon-hill-mission-hill-and-fenway-kenmore-liaison-coffee-hours
Wednesdays, 3:30 p.m.until supplies last, Fenway Cares – Food Distribution Upcoming Dates
EAST AND WEST FENWAY: 2/28
Fenway Cares distributions will take place at both locations every other Wednesday on the same day of the month.
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, blood sugar testing, COVID-19, flu, and a limited number of pneumonia vaccines.
UPCOMING
Monday, February 26, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM 1 Joslin Place (New Cancer Hospital) Task Force and Public Meeting (Virtual Meeting)
Meeting of the 1 Joslin Place Task Force to review the proposed Institutional Master Plan project. The Task Force serves as the advisory body for the 1 Joslin Place institutional development. Please note that this is a joint Task Force/Public meeting. The meeting will begin with a 30-minute presentation of the project by the development team, followed by a 45-minute discussion of the Task Force, followed by 45 minutes of public Q&A.
How to Participate Register in advance: bit.ly/1JoslinTF
Toll-free call-in number: 833.568.8864 Meeting ID: 160 124 8468
Thursday, March 14, 1-2PM, BOSTON TREE ALLIANCE GENERAL MEETING
Join the Boston Tree Alliance General Meeting to talk about the development of the program’s tree planting and care grants. Details on how to join this event: https://www.boston.gov/calendar/boston-tree-alliance-general-meeting
March 19 & 21, THE MAYOR’S OFFICE OF HOUSING WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU
Please save the dates! The Mayor’s Office wants your input on setting the priorities of use for an estimated $143 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funds may be invested in housing, homeless assistance and community development programs that serve low to moderate income residents over a 5-year period from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2029 and cover these HUD programs:
- Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
- HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME)
- Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)
- Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)
Hearing #1 (Virtual – Zoom)
Tuesday, March 19, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Video call link: https://boston-gov.zoom.us/j/5995592565?omn=83698691556
Meeting ID: 599 559 2565 Or dial: 1-646-558-8656
Hearing #2 (In Person)
Thursday, March 21, 6:00 pm to 7:30pm
Boston Public Library, Copley Square, Commonwealth Salon, 700 Boylston Street.
Attend one or both, no registration required. Translation services can be arranged by request at least 7 days in advance of the hearings: email mohcomments@boston.gov or call 617-635-3880.
Saturday, April 6th, save the date for the annual Northeastern off-campus Spring Clean-Up. This event celebrates a successful year of weekly litter clean-ups and seeks to include our off-campus student leaders, student residents, and Boston community members in a day of beautification projects across neighborhoods.
ARTS & RECREATION
Boston Symphony Orchestra – free Community Chamber Concerts
Follow this link to view the concerts through March.
Kaji Aso Studio announces winter arts offerings and special events announced via their emailing list. Check their site for details. You might wish to enter the 35th International Haiku Contest, Submissions Due on April 15, 2024 Please see details on their website.
Winter in The Fenway / The Rink 401 Park
M–F: 3–9PM SAT: 11AM–10PM SUN: 11AM–8PM
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
BPDA Fenway Projects:
As a neighborhood with millions of square feet in proposed development, the BPDA impacts all of us who rent, own, live or wish to continue to live in the Fenway. Civic engagement is essential in ensuring we retain a meaningful voice in the planning processes that shape our community. We encourage members to stay involved as these discussions continue.
Currently, there are 19 active developments impacting the Fenway.
(click on links to visit the BPDA project pages)
1. 645 Beacon Street [Retail /Research Lab]
2. Fenway Corners (West) [Office/Rental/Residential/Retail/Research Lab]
3. Boston University – Warren Towers Renovation [campus dorm]
4. 409 Huntington Avenue [Rental / Residential /Retail]
5. 2 Charlesgate West [Rental / Residential /Retail] *DPIR Comment Period Ends Feb 22
6. 142-146 St. Mary’s Street [Rental]
“Board Approved” are clear to proceed
7. 1400 Boylston Street, [Cultural / Retail / Research Lab]
8. 165 Park Drive [Ownership/Rental/Residential ]
9. Fenway Corners (North) [Office/Retail/Research Lab]
10. 819 Beacon Street [Institution / Rental / Residential / Retail]
11. 601 Newbury Street [Rental / Residential]
12. Simmons University 2019 IMP Projects [Dormitory]
13. 1241 Boylston Street – [hotel]
14. Kenmore Hotel – [hotel]
16. Fenway Center –
Roxbury:
Under Review
17. 840 Columbus Avenue project [dormitory] Boston Civic Design Commission meeting 2/20 5PM
Longwood Medical Area:
Under review:
18. 1 Joslin Place [hospital, institutional master plan] *Task Force and Public Meeting 2/26
Board approved:
19. Longwood Place at 305 Brookline – related to Simmons
See you around!
Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood
Fenway Civic Association 