Dear Members and Friends:
Thanks for attending The Annual FCA Rose Garden Picnic last Tuesday. We are so grateful to our park partners, business community donors, volunteers, neighbors and our elected officials who support this event, and to all who attended to make the evening so special.
Celebrate Juneteenth on Wednesday, and at many events throughout the week.
This week we’ll have the first of two important development meetings centering on the West Fens- a new proposal for housing at 112-114 Queensberry (this Tues 6/18), and in July, an ongoing discussion on a tower proposal at 2 Charlesgate West (date changed to Monday 7/1), abutting the Back Bay Fens. Your input is highly valued, important, and meaningful in shaping our neighborhood. Please see details below in the Development section.
July is full of music as Kaji Aso Studio hosts a Two-day Star Festival of music (and art) on 7/6 and 7/7; the Sunset Concert Series at Symphony Park begins on 7/9; and the ever fabulous Swingin’ in the Fens returns to Ramler Park on 7/17.
THE WEEK AHEAD
Tuesday, June 18, 5-7:30 p.m.; this project scheduled for 5:45 p.m. – Boston Civic Design Commission Design Committee – 2 Charlesgate West meeting link
BCDC meeting to discuss the public realm impacts of major projects currently being reviewed by the BPDA, this meeting is from the DESIGN perspective. Commission meetings are open to the public.
Tuesday, June 18, 6-8 p.m., BDPA virtual meeting on 112-114 Queensberry (details in DEVELOPMENT section). A 6-story housing development.
JUNETEENTH – Wednesday, June 19
Check out the celebrations in Boston from City of Boston links: Celebrating Juneteenth in Boston See what’s offered by the Boston Juneteenth Committee: 2024 Boston Juneteenth Emancipation Observance ; Check out the EMBRACE IDEAS FESTIVAL;
The MFA is hosting an open house Juneteenth | Museum of Fine Arts Boston; and local colleges are hosting many events as well. Celebrate our history and find what’s moving us all ahead on this important holiday.
Wednesday, June 19 at 9:30-10:30 a.m., Tai Chi at Symphony Park (see ONGOING)
Wednesday, June 19 at 3:30 p.m. ‘til done., Fenway Cares Food Distributions (and MGH/MGB clinic 2-5 p.m. at Morville House) (see ONGOING)
Thursday, June 20, 10-11 a.m., Chair Yoga at Symphony Park (see ONGOING)
ONGOING
June is Pride Month, check out the City’s Pride page with links to celebrations, events, and LGBTQ+ community resources throughout the month!
Wednesdays, 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. June and July (no class on July 3rd), Free Tai Chi
Symphony Community Park, 39 Edgerly Road. Free beginning Tai Chi Classes, taught by Sifu Huan Zhang.
Every Other Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.until done, Fenway Cares Food Distribution
Next date: 6/19 – at 2 locations:
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! Volunteer
MGH/MBG Community Care Health Clinic – 2-5 p.m. on Fenway Cares dates, East Fenway, in Morville House, 100 Norway Street. Offerings may include blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing, COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia vaccines.
Thursdays, 10-11 a.m. Chair Yoga at Symphony Park
https://www.boston.gov/calendar/parks-fitness-bcbs-chair-yoga-nicole
Thursdays – Park Fitness: Chair Yoga with Michelle in Symphony Park, 39 Edgerly Road. Repeats each Thursday until August 29. Participate in a free fitness class offered by a certified instructor. Classes are sponsored by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, and the Boston Public Health Commission.
RED SOX – 2024 printable baseball schedule / Fenway Park Concert Schedule 11 concert dates are posted, first concert date is June 20th.
UPCOMING
Sunday, June 23, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Charlesgate Farmer’s Market Opening Day
The market will be held on Sundays, 11a.m.-2 p.m., June 23 – October 13
The Muddy Water Initiative will host a farmers market at Charlesgate Park featuring local farms, bakers, chefs and vendors such as Dick’s Market Garden for fresh produce, Captain Madden’s Seafood and Cape Ann Fresh Catch for fresh fish, Top Shelf Cookies, Azuluna Foods for meat, chicken, and eggs, and prepared and cooked foods from Samosa Man and Dumpling Daughter. About 30 vendors are expected.
Located under the Bowker Overpass at Commonwealth Avenue between Charlesgate East and Charlesgate West with easy access from the Fenway and Kenmore Square.
The Grand Opening will feature performers from Berklee and other festivities!
Tuesday, June 25, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m., Fenway Safety Walk follow the link for full details and to RSVP. A great opportunity to join Councilor Durkan, Senator Brownsberger, and the Department of Conservation and Recreation for a safe streets neighborhood walk-around. Stroll the state-owned roadways in the Fenway to identify needed safety improvements and share resident feedback.
DATE CHANGED TO Thursday, July 1st, Virtual Meeting – BPDA hosts Joint IAG and public meeting, 2 Charlesgate West (large residential and commercial project requesting exemptions) (details in DEVELOPMENT section).
Saturday-Sunday, July 6-7 Kaji Aso Studio presents TANABATA Celebration 2024 – two events – two locations – two days – Art, Music & Poetry, and Japanese Cultural Performances. Kaji Aso – Tanabata 2024
Tuesdays, 7/9 – 7/30, Sunset Concerts at Symphony Park – This series is presented by the Fenway Civic Association and the Friends of Symphony Park in collaboration with Berklee College of Music. The concerts are free and open to the public. Fair weather only.
Wednesday, July 17, 6:30 p.m. Swinging in Ramler Park (rain date 7/24) – Ron Reid’s Liberty Quartet (more details to come)
DEVELOPMENTS – BPDA ACTIVE PROJECTS
Tuesday, June 18, 6-8 p.m., BDPA virtual meeting on 112-114 Queensberry
Tuesday, June 18, 6-8 p.m.,BDPA virtual meeting on 112-114 Queensberry.
(former location of single-story Queensberry laundry building)
How to Participate Register in advance for this meeting:
bit.ly/4aFGznH
Meeting ID: 160 494 7637
Toll-free call-in number: (833) 568 – 8864
Fenway CDC proposes to develop the 112-114 Queensberry site into a building six stories above grade and one story partially below grade; with 24 units of housing affordable (in perpetuity) to individuals and households at or below 30% and 60% of area median income. A mix of studios and one-bedrooms for single people, couples, and small families. No parking will be provided onsite. For full details on this project, check out the BDPA site here.
The rendering (above) shows the lower level entrance from Ipswich Street.
Monday, July 1, 6-8:00 p.m. Virtual Meeting – Joint IAG and public meeting, 2 Charlesgate West (large residential and commercial project)
Project description from the BPDA project page:
2 Charlesgate West | Boston Planning & Development Agency
The Proposed Project consists of approximately 290,000 square feet. Proposal to 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.
MEETING INFORMATION:
This is a virtual joint Impact Advisory Group (IAG) and public meeting for the proposed 2 Charlesgate West project located in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston. 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 IAG and public.
How to Participate
Please register for the meeting using the following Zoom link:
bit.ly/3KbHilw
Meeting ID: 161 722 2542
Toll-free call-in number: (833) 568 – 8864
Below: a shot from the public presentation shows a rendering from Boylston Street side
COMMENTARY
Below: An unauthorized rendering from a local architect imagines the tower (in white) in a wider context (from height and massing as presented in first meeting):
The documents page has recordings of the meetings which include presentations and public comments: https://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/2-charlesgate-west
The April 4th public review meeting was attended by over 50 people, many of whom voiced concerns on the project not being compliant with the established zoning and Parks Ordinances, potential detrimental effects from the height and massing including increased wind at critical pedestrian routes, shadows on parklands, increased stress on existing neighborhood transportation and congestion problems, and deterioration of Parks Ordinance protections established for this very reason. A separate Boston Design Commission meeting had commissioners asking for improvements.
BPDA PROJECTS IN THE FENWAY
“Under Review”: 112-114 Queensberry St, 2 Charlesgate West, Fenway Corners (West), Boston University – Warren Towers Renovation, 409 Huntington Avenue, 142-146 St. Mary’s Street
See you around!
Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood
Fenway Civic Association 