Fenway Civic Association

Dear Members and Friends,

It is our pleasure to invite you to the Fenway’s Annual Tree Lighting on Wednesday, December 6th outside the Kelleher Rose Garden, Back Bay Fens at 6 p.m., sponsored by Fenway Civic Association in partnership with Samuels & Associates and the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services!

Join families for a special pre-lighting event at the Fenway Community Center, with arts and crafts activities and a chance to snap photos with Wally and Tessie

Gather to celebrate outside the Kelleher Rose garden, and enjoy cocoa, cider, refreshments, and music by theBoston Children’s Chorus

Enjoy an illuminated walk with Grooversity to The Station, with free fresh waffles, installations by J Arts and a tree farm – and a free community skate at The Rink @ 401 Park

And… Give Back by donating your new or clean, gently worn winter clothing to those in need at the Fenway Community Center (drop off times and dates in attached flyer)

All this and more awaits! For information, please see these details or the below flyers

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Dear Members and Friends:

Holiday season is here, time for giving, celebration and good cheer.

4th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway Thanks to the generosity of Samuels & Associates in partnership with Fenway Civic Association, Fenway Cares is excited to announce our 4th Annual Turkey Distribution (while quantities last) to Fenway residents this Thanksgiving.

Please visit http://www.tinyurl.com/FenwayThanksgiving to reserve your order and respond by Wednesday November 15th before noon – or, sign up to volunteer! Stop by Fenway Community Center (1282 Boylston St.) 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nov 18th to pick up a frozen turkey.

WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE  – Monday, Nov 13 – through Dec 21

Please see details below, and the attached flyer. 

SAVE THE DATE Wednesday, December 6, for the Annual Tree Lighting Festivities bringing neighbors together for good cheer; watch for details coming soon.

Fenway Cares is back! Now alternating between East and West Fens – please read on to see the new distribution set up.

ELECTION RESULTS:  Turnout was about 15% citywide. The Fenway cast 5,675 ballots in District 7 and 5,763 ballots in District 8. Unofficial tallies are here. Congratulations to Councillor Tania Fernandes Anderson District 7 and Councillor Sharon E Durkan District 8, and At-Large Councillors Ruthzee Louijeune, Erin J Murphy, Julia Mejia, and Henry Santana. Check the city’s web page for more details.

For upcoming events, please read on….

THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday, November 13, 3:30 p.m. WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE begins

We are happy to partner with the Fenway Community Center to host a winter clothing drive administered by the Boston Public Health Commission. We encourage residents to bring clean, warm winter clothing on the dates and times specified (see attached flyer). All clothing will be distributed to residents in need by the commission. Thank you for your support! 

Wednesday, November 15, 3:30 p.m. Fenway Cares – Food Distribution

Upcoming Food Distribution Dates (3:30 p.m. start – as supplies last)

WEST FENWAY: 11/15 | 11/29 | 12/13 

EAST FENWAY: 11/8 | 11/22 | 12/6 

Food Distributions

Fenway Cares has changed its food distribution schedule!  Distributions now will take place in the East and West Fenway on alternating Wednesdays.  Home deliveries will be made on West Fenway dates, with the exception of Morville House and Church Park addresses, which will take place on East Fenway dates.

To ensure that we can provide food to all who need it, we ask clients to choose one site only – either East Fenway or West Fenway – to pick up food and to follow the site dates indicated below.  Also, 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:  November 15, November 29, etc.

East Fenway – Symphony Community Park, 39 Edgerly Road, every other Wednesday: November 22, December 6, 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/ and remember to check the website and flyers for updates about the Fenway Cares distribution times and dates.

Wednesday, November 15, 6 p.m. (virtual)  Back Bay Fens Pathways Design Meeting.  An update on the Back Bay Fens Pathways Project, featuring a presentation by designers with a question and answer session. Want to catch up on the discussions? Check out the project page for notes and videos on all the previous meetings. There has been quite a lot of good work and thoughtful input on this important project. We look forward to the many improvements to come from this. 

Project page: boston.gov/fens-pathways. 

Join the meeting:  bit.ly/bbf-pathways

Friday, November 17, 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Coffee Hour with The Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services liaison, Maggy 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. 

Saturday, November 18 –  Winter in the Fenway holiday season opens: 

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

UPCOMING 

Fenway Cares – Food Distribution –  will alternate weekly between east and west Fens, with new home delivery dates. NEW schedule here. 

December 1st deadline to apply for the Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant  Berklee established the Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant to support community-based projects and initiatives that contribute to the vibrancy and quality of life in the Fenway neighborhood. The application deadline is December 1st, and you can find more information, including eligibility requirements, here. If you are a neighborhood nonprofit, please consider applying!

ONGOING

Muddy River Restoration Project Check out the Maintenance and Management Oversight Committee (MMOC)’s refreshed web site: www.muddyrivermmoc.org for project details, current status and more! Here’s where all the partners come together to share info. MMOC meets the second Wednesday each month, 6-7:30 p.m.

Curbside food waste collection is here! (for smaller buildings) and 

If you live in a big building, you can use Project Oscar community compost drop-offs located throughout the City to compost food scraps! Closest to Fenway is the Tobin Community Center at 1481 Tremont Street.

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”: 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)

“Board Approved” are clear to proceed – currently listing TEN projects

See you around!

FenwayCivic Association

Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood

Dear Friends,

We are pleased to announce the first annual Veterans Day Memorial Tree Planting on Friday, November 10, at 10:30 a.m. at the Veterans War Memorial Park, in the Back Bay Fens.

Please see the attached flyer for full details.

In honor of all who served.

FenwayCivic Association

Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood

Dear Members and Friends:

Library in the Fens? Yes! Learn more at Monday’s meeting on the 1400 Boylston Street project. On Tuesday, it’s time to vote. Take advantage of the fall weather and check out the fens pathways before the next design meeting. 

For upcoming events, please read on….

THE WEEK AHEAD

Fenway Cares – Food Distribution –  will alternate weekly between east and west Fens, details to come soon.

Monday, November 6, 6 – 8 p.m., 1400 Boylston Street – Public Virtual Meeting

The BPDA will host a Public Meeting to discuss a proposed project at 1400 Boylston Street and an associated proposed zoning amendment to Article 66, The Fenway neighborhood zoning article. Discussion regarding the proposed project will focus on the proposed public open space and civic space. The meeting will include presentations from the proponent and BPDA staff, followed by Q&A and comments from the public.

How to Participate

Please register in advance for this meeting through the following link:

bit.ly/3SaSIen

Meeting ID: 160 851 8527

Toll-free call-in number: 833 568 8864

Tuesday, November 7, 2023 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. City of Boston Municipal Election for City Councilors – to see a sample ballot, click here.

Vote for your district and at-large councilor seats. Click the link above to see a sample ballot, and then you can check the candidates’ sites to see their position statements. “We do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate.” Thomas Jefferson

UPCOMING

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 6 p.m. Back Bay Fens Pathways Design Meeting (virtual).  An update on the Back Bay Fens Pathways Project, featuring a presentation by designers with a question and answer session.Project page: boston.gov/fens-pathways. Join the meeting:  bit.ly/bbf-pathways

December 1st deadline to apply for the Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant  Berklee established the Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant to support community-based projects and initiatives that contribute to the vibrancy and quality of life in the Fenway neighborhood. The application deadline is December 1st, and you can find more information, including eligibility requirements, here. If you are a neighborhood nonprofit, please consider applying!

ONGOING 

Muddy River Restoration Project Check out the Maintenance and Management Oversight Committee (MMOC)’s refreshed web site: www.muddyrivermmoc.org for project details, current status and more! Here’s where all the partners come together to share info. MMOC meets the second Wednesday each month, 6-7:30 p.m.

Curbside food waste collection is here! (for smaller buildings) and 

If you live in a big building, you can use Project Oscar community compost drop-offs located throughout the City to compost food scraps! Closest to Fenway is the Tobin Community Center at 1481 Tremont Street.

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; 142-146 St. Mary’s Street

 “Under Review”: 409 Huntington Avenue, 2 Charlesgate West, 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.

See you around!

FenwayCivic Association

Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood

Dear Members and Friends:

Last week was quite busy with a number of meetings. The 1400 Boylston Street project now includes plans for a branch library, next meeting is November 6. We are happy to report that the New Edgerly Road pedestrian plaza will be dedicated in honor of John Bookston for his years of service and dedication to the community. The Red Sox community meeting took pause to honor those who passed this year, including Ed Burke, John Bookston, and Tim Wakefield. There was a general review of the RS events and community involvement, and a review of the draft concert mitigation report. The RS decided to ban concussive fireworks, and are looking at other improvements around the concert impacts. The MassDOT Public Meeting on Bowker Overpass improvements went into graphic detail on the bridge replacement and widening. Project inquiries and statements may be submitted within 10 business days of the meeting to Carrie Lavallee, P.E., Chief Engineer, via e-mail to MassDOTMajorProjects@dot.state.ma.us or via US Mail to Suite 6340, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116, Attention: Project Management, Project File No. 606496.

For upcoming events, please read on….

THE WEEK AHEAD

Early voting for the Municipal Election on November 7 is open now through Friday, November 3.

Any registered Boston voter can vote at any early voting location. You don’t need an excuse or reason to vote early. Not sure if you’re registered? Find out your voter registration status. Click here for more early voting info.

Thursday, November 2, 6-8 p.m. Boston Design Vision – Designing for a Diverse Boston  – Open House

Every Bostonian should see themselves represented in the buildings and outdoor spaces that define the city. Join online to learn more about the Boston Design Vision and share your design ideas for how we can build a Boston for everyone. How to Participate:

Click to Register in advance

Toll-free call-in number: 833 568 8864

Meeting ID: 160 192 1202

For more information and updates, visit bostonplans.org.

MFA First Fridays start Nov. 3rd, the Museum will welcome visitors from 6 pm to 9 pm on the first Friday of select months for music, dancing, exhibition tours, art-making, signature cocktails and dining. Free for members, fees for non-members. Check web for dates and details.

UPCOMING

Fenway Cares – Food Distribution –  will alternate weekly between east and west Fens, details to come soon.

Monday, November 6, 6 – 8 p.m., 1400 Boylston Street – Public Virtual Meeting

The BPDA will host a Public Meeting to discuss a proposed project at 1400 Boylston Street and an associated proposed zoning amendment to Article 66, The Fenway neighborhood zoning article. Discussion regarding the proposed project will focus on the proposed public open space and civic space. The meeting will include presentations from the proponent and BPDA staff, followed by Q&A and comments from the public.

How to Participate

Please register in advance for this meeting through the following link:

bit.ly/3SaSIen

Meeting ID: 160 851 8527

Toll-free call-in number: 833 568 8864

Tuesday, November 7, 2023 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. City of Boston Municipal Election for City Councilors – to see a sample ballot, click here.

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 6 p.m. Back Bay Fens Pathways Design Meeting (virtual).  An update on the Back Bay Fens Pathways Project, featuring a presentation by designers with a question and answer session.Project page: boston.gov/fens-pathways. Join the meeting:  bit.ly/bbf-pathways

December 1st deadline to apply for the Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant  Berklee established the Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant to support community-based projects and initiatives that contribute to the vibrancy and quality of life in the Fenway neighborhood. The application deadline is December 1st, and you can find more information, including eligibility requirements, here. If you are a neighborhood nonprofit, please consider applying!

ONGOING 

Muddy River Restoration Project Check out the Maintenance and Management Oversight Committee (MMOC)’s refreshed web site: www.muddyrivermmoc.org for project details, current status and more! Here’s where all the partners come together to share info. MMOC meets the second Wednesday each month, 6-7:30 p.m.

Curbside food waste collection is here! (for smaller buildings) and 

If you live in a big building, you can use Project Oscar community compost drop-offs located throughout the City to compost food scraps! Closest to Fenway is the Tobin Community Center at 1481 Tremont Street.

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; 142-146 St. Mary’s Street

 “Under Review”: 409 Huntington Avenue, 2 Charlesgate West, 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.

See you around!

FenwayCivic Association

Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood

Dear Members and Friends:

We just got this BREAKING NEWS – and are happy to share with you

The Boston City Council voted this week to make the Edgerly Pedestrian Plaza a permanent fixture in the East Fenway!

Here is more detail from the Boston City Council site: https://www.boston.gov/news/council-supports-pedestrian-plaza

We’ve attached a PDF of the Council’s Resolution filed on October 16, 

And an announcement for a public info meeting 

hosted by the City of Boston Transportation Department 

on Wednesday evening, October 25, from 6-7:30 p.m.

Contact:

Jacob Wessel – Boston Transportation Dept.

jacob.wessel@boston.gov

617-635-2672

Flyer and notice below.

With best regards,

FenwayCivic Association

Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood

Dear Members and Friends:

This week is super busy! with four community meetings:  

BPDA Community Advisory re: impacts of 1400 Boylston Development (Star Market site)

Red Sox Community Relations meeting

Info Session on a new pedestrian plaza on Edgerly Road 

• MASSDOT meeting on Bowker Pass major improvements plan

Three surveys are closing soon: 

Fenway Park Concert Impacts Survey; Fenway Transportation Plan; and Boston Design Vision. 

For this and more, please read on….

THE WEEK AHEAD

Sunday, Oct 22, 3 p.m. Kaji Aso Studio – Institute for the Arts – 2023 Concert Series – Pushpa Palanchoke, performs traditional songs from Nepal (see flyer for details). Want to follow Kaji Aso free events? Email administrator@kajiasostudio.com and request to be on their mailing list.

Monday, October 23 6-8 p.m., 1400 Boylston Street Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) | Virtual Meeting

The BPDA will be hosting a virtual Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting in connection with the Draft Project Impact Report (DPIR) associated with the 1400 Boylston project received by the Boston Planning & Development Agency on September 19, 2023.

How to Participate

Please register in advance for this meeting through the following link:

bit.ly/454qyER

Meeting ID: 161 375 3793

Toll-free call-in number: 833 568 8864

The community meeting was held Oct. 18th. As part of the development review process, CAC members work closely with BPDA staff to identify the impacts of a project and recommend appropriate community benefits to offset those impacts. The CAC meeting will prioritize discussion between the developer and CAC members, and is open to the public.

Tuesday, October 24 6PM, Red Sox / Fenway Park Neighborhood Meeting in the Ford Clubhouse located on 72 Brookline Avenue. 

Please take the Local impact survey – 2023 Fenway Park concert series – sponsored by the Fenway Park Concert Neighborhood Committee – before the community meeting, to allow for review and responses.

Wednesday, October 25, 6-7:30 p.m., City of Boston Transportation – New Edgerly Pedestrian Plaza Community Meeting A separate email is being sent to you with breaking details on this exciting new development! The meeting is for community feedback.

Thursday, October 26 LAST DAY TO TAKE the Fenway Transportation Action Plan survey. On Friday, October 27, the BPDA will be closing the Fenway Transportation Action Plan survey. If you have not yet taken this survey, please get your response in before the 27th! We all have stories of the challenges of transportation in the neighborhood, so it is essential that the BPDA know the experiences of Fenway residents. If  you have already taken the survey, please encourage 3-4 friends in the neighborhood to respond to the survey by October 26th as well. 

Thursday, October 26, 6-7:30 p.m. MassDOT Public Meeting on Bowker Overpass improvements over the Massachusetts Turnpike between the Charlesgate neighborhood and the Back Bay Fens. MassDOT’s plan includes removing the offramp from the Bowker to Commonwealth Avenue. For more information about the plan and to register for this meeting, click here. This is yet another major project which will impact all who live, work and travel to and through the Fenway. You don’t want to miss this.

Saturday, October 28, 2023  is the NEXT Voter Registration Deadline.

The Municipal Election will be on November 7, 2023

UPCOMING

Nov 02, 2023 , 6-8 p.m. Boston Design Vision – Designing for a Diverse Boston  – Open House

Every Bostonian should see themselves represented in the buildings and outdoor spaces that define the city. Join online to learn more about the Boston Design Vision and share your design ideas for how we can build a Boston for everyone. How to Participate:

Click to Register in advance

Toll-free call-in number: 833 568 8864

Meeting ID: 160 192 1202

At this time, the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) is continuing to host public meetings in a virtual setting for the health, safety, and accessibility of Boston residents. For more information and updates, visit bostonplans.org.

MFA First Fridays start Nov. 3rd, the Museum will welcome visitors from 6 pm to 9 pm on the first Friday of select months for music, dancing, exhibition tours, art-making, signature cocktails and dining. Free for members, fees for non-members. Check web for dates and details.

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 6 p.m. Back Bay Fens Pathways Design Meeting (virtual).  An update on the Back Bay Fens Pathways Project, featuring a presentation by designers with a question and answer session.Project page: boston.gov/fens-pathways. Join the meeting:  bit.ly/bbf-pathways

December 1st deadline to apply for the Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant  Berklee established the Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant to support community-based projects and initiatives that contribute to the vibrancy and quality of life in the Fenway neighborhood. The application deadline is December 1st, and you can find more information, including eligibility requirements, here. If you are a neighborhood nonprofit, please consider applying!

ONGOING 

MBTA OCTOBER SERVICE CHANGES here

Muddy River Restoration Project Check out the Maintenance and Management Oversight Committee (MMOC)’s refreshed web site: www.muddyrivermmoc.org for project details, current status and more! Here’s where all the partners come together to share info. MMOC meets the second Wednesday each month, 6-7:30 p.m.

Curbside food waste collection is here! (for smaller buildings) and 

If you live in a big building, you can use Project Oscar community compost drop-offs located throughout the City to compost food scraps! Closest to Fenway is the Tobin Community Center at 1481 Tremont Street.

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; 142-146 St. Mary’s Street

 “Under Review”: 409 Huntington Avenue, 2 Charlesgate West, 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.

See you around!

FenwayCivic Association

Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood

Dear Members and Friends:

Last week our beloved friend, neighbor, and community activist John Bookston passed away on October 8, 2023. John served on Fenway Civic Association’s board since 2016 and was generous in deed, kind in spirit, and compassionate and honest in advocacy. We keep you in our hearts, dear friend.

There is much to do this week: Wednesday join the public virtual meeting on the 1400 Boylston Street development to see the plans for this area and submit your comments. Thursday – check out the FCDC Career Fair. Friday, Drop into the BPL for coffee with Maggie Van Scoy. Saturday, help us mulch trees in the West Fens. Have you taken the surveys? We need to hear your voice – also, let your neighbors know it’s their chance to comment. And please mark your calendars for upcoming election, grant application and meeting dates. 

Please take the Local impact survey – 2023 Fenway Park concert series sponsored by the Fenway Park Concert Neighborhood Committee. We need to know what you think: how were you impacted by the Fenway Park 2023 concert series? The survey asks for evaluation of the four areas of mitigation in the signed agreement for concert management: sound / transportation / trash & sanitation / impacts on public parks and pathways; BUT there’s an opportunity to give additional comments. 

Survey link: https://forms.gle/i3RJseyHk7Y4rwNf8

Results will be shared at the Red Sox / Fenway Park Neighborhood Meeting on October 24 at 6:00pm in the Ford Clubhouse located on 72 Brookline Avenue. Thank you for participating.

We also need to hear your voice on the Fenway Transportation Action Plan survey (closed to comments on Oct 27th. See below).

THE WEEK AHEAD

Wednesday, October 18, 6 p.m-8 p.m 1400 Boylston Street (Development) Public Meeting | Virtual Meeting

The BPDA is hosting a Public Meeting for the 1400 Boylston Street project (current location of the Star Market, the “Station” and Star lower parking lot) in the Fenway, to discuss the Draft Project Impact Report. The meeting will include a presentation followed by Q&A and comments from the public. How to Participate: Please register in advance for this meeting through the following link: bit.ly/3RvAc01

Meeting ID: 160 342 2795

Toll-free call-in number: 833 568 8864

Thursday, October 19, 2023, 3 -7 p.m., Fenway CDC Career Fair, at the YMCA, 316 Huntington Ave, Boston. Job seekers, please sign up at 

Workforce Development

Check the website for a list of spoonors/partners and opportunities.

Friday, Oct 20, 10-11 a.m. Coffee Hour with City of Boston neighborhood liaison Maggie Van Scoy, Newsfeed Cafe at BPL Central Library 700 Boylston St.  Maggie’s  web page here. 

Friday, October 20 – 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. MFA LATE NITES ARE BACK.  The next edition of the MFA’s signature after-hours party celebrates new exhibitions across the Museum including Fashioned by Sargent and Strong Women in Renaissance Italy. From 8 pm to 1 am, MFA Late Nites guests can enjoy dancing and DJs, pop-up performances, exploring the galleries, art-making activities and more. Tickets required, fees listed on website.

Saturday, October 21, 10 a.m. – 1-2 hrs duration; West Fens Tree Mulching  Volunteer Opportunity! Once again we thank student volunteers from Northeastern University and West Fens community volunteers! We will be mulching roughly 32 tree pits with 40 bags of mulch on St. Stephen Street, Symphony Road, and Gainsborough St.. We need a few more volunteers to help mulch Hemenway and Westland. If you can help/please reach out to the Fenway Civic Association via email fenwaycivic@aol.com. It’s a wonderful way to connect with NU student volunteers who do a lot for the Fens, and to meet your neighbors while giving the trees some TLC.

UPCOMING

Tuesday, October 24 6PM, Red Sox / Fenway Park Neighborhood Meeting in the Ford Clubhouse located on 72 Brookline Avenue. Have you taken the survey yet? Please do so before the meeting.

Thursday, October 26 LAST DAY TO TAKE the Fenway Transportation Action Plan survey. On Friday, October 27, the BPDA will be closing the Fenway Transportation Action Plan survey. If you have not yet taken this survey, please get your response in before the 27th! We all have stories of the challenges of transportation in the neighborhood, so it is essential that the BPDA know the experiences of Fenway residents. If  you have already taken the survey, please encourage 3-4 friends in the neighborhood to respond to the survey by October 26th as well. 

Saturday, October 28, 2023  is the NEXT Voter Registration Deadline.

The Municipal Election will be on November 7, 2023

MFA First Fridays, 6-9 pm Nov. 3rd and beyond; advance tickets available online. Starting this November, the Museum will welcome visitors from 6 pm to 9 pm on the first Friday of select months for an exciting evening of music, dancing, exhibition tours, art-making, signature cocktails and dining. Free for members, tickets required for entry, fee for non-members. Check web for dates and details.

December 1st deadline to apply for the Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant  Berklee established the Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant to support community-based projects and initiatives that contribute to the vibrancy and quality of life in the Fenway neighborhood. The application deadline is December 1st, and you can find more information, including eligibility requirements, here. If you are a neighborhood nonprofit, please consider applying!

ONGOING 

Want to know what’s going on with the Muddy River Restoration Project? Check out the Maintenance and Management Oversight Committee (MMOC)’s refreshed web site: www.muddyrivermmoc.org for details on the project, current status and so much more! What an incredible transformation we have been witnessing; here’s where all the partners come together to share info. MMOC meets the second Wednesday each month, 6-7:30 p.m.

MBTA OCTOBER SERVICE CHANGES here

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

Curbside food waste collection is here! (for smaller buildings) and 

If you live in a big building, you can use Project Oscar community compost drop-offs located throughout the City to compost food scraps! Closest to Fenway is the Tobin Community Center at 1481 Tremont Street.

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; 142-146 St. Mary’s Street

 “Under Review”: 409 Huntington Avenue, 2 Charlesgate West, 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.

See you around!

FenwayCivic Association

Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood

Dear Members,

We have lost an intrepid board member and a kind and sympathetic human being.  John Bookston, who had served on Fenway Civic Association’s board since 2016 passed away on October 8, 2023 after a battle with multiple myeloma. John lived his compassion for struggling and disenfranchised people on all levels of his life, from his professional career as a teacher to his everyday volunteerism in the Fenway neighborhood.  He was an unintimidated spokesman for FCA  at public hearings, eloquently peeling back the truth in common terms, and demanding consideration for our Fenway neighbors. His work in the community spanned from volunteering at Fenway Cares food distributions, work with ADCO on short term rentals and electronic billboards and the NICs Communicate and Connect group to assisting with community tree lightings, flower shares, picnics, and anything else that helped to connect and support Fenway residents. He will be missed and remembered.

Dear Members and Friends:

This weekend there’s a lot to celebrate, LatinX Heritage, Indigenous People’s Day, The Fenway Cultural Alliance members Opening their Doors – we hope you can get out and about and enjoy it all. After all the fun, you might need to attend to business; well you’re in luck with the city truck coming back to the Victory Gardens. And mark your calendars with upcoming important election and development meeting dates. 

Please take the Local impact survey – 2023 Fenway Park concert series sponsored by the Fenway Park Concert Neighborhood Committee. We need to know what you think: how were you impacted by the Fenway Park 2023 concert series? The survey asks for evaluation of the four areas of mitigation in the signed agreement for concert management: sound / transportation / trash & sanitation / impacts on public parks and pathways; BUT there’s an opportunity to give additional comments. 

Survey link: https://forms.gle/i3RJseyHk7Y4rwNf8

Results will be shared at the Red Sox / Fenway Park Neighborhood Meeting on October 24 at 6:00pm in the Ford Clubhouse located on 72 Brookline Avenue. Thank you for participating.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Monday, October 9th is Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

The Boston City Council, in honor of the histories and cultures of Indigenous Peoples, adopted a resolution recognizing October 9th, 2023 as Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The Council ordered to raise the flag of the Massachusetts Tribe at Ponkapoag over City Hall Plaza on October 6th. Flags from nation states around the world have flown at Boston City Hall, but Boston has never before flown the flag of an Indigenous nation. 

Monday, October 9 – Fenway Alliance’s flagship festival Opening Our Doors – a celebration of the Fenway Cultural District – 

The festival line up is live on this website – https://www.fenwayculture.org/ood-2023-schedule. New this year is a main stage at The Station at 1400 Boylston performances from 12pm – 4pm. A fun day full of free events – a chance to enter our great local cultural institutions with fun and family focused events all day. The event kicks off with song, dance, celebrations and a parade at the Reflecting Pool area by the Christian Science Church. 

Monday, October 9 at 12:30 and 1:30 p.m., Music in the Gallery with Mikiko Sato at Kaji Aso Studio, 40 St. Stephen Street. Part of the Opening our Doors festival (free, open to public). Mikiko is a Japanese singer-songwriter/composer & Concert Series Director of Kaji Also Studio. Enjoy these 20-minute sessions while exploring the current exhibition “Dreaming of Space” – five large acrylics by founder Kaji Aso on view through Oct 27.

Wednesday, October 11: Fenway Cares Food Distribution 2 locations Symphony Community Park & Fenway Community Center 3:30 p.m.– info here.

Thursday October 12 & Friday Oct 13: 10 a.m – 11:30 a.m, CITY HALL ON THE GO TRUCK: KENMORE-FENWAY – bringing essential municipal services to you

Oct 12: Kenmore Square, 623 Commonwealth Ave

Oct 13: Fenway Victory Gardens, across from 1200 Boylston Street. 

The City Hall On The Go truck has scheduled 2 stops in the neighborhood, bringing essential municipal services right to you – get your business done on a wide range of services – check the web for a full list.

Please note, no cash payments on the truck.

Saturday, October 14, 2-7 p.m. – Closing Fiesta en la Plaza – at Boston City Hall Plaza 

The closing celebration of the LatinX Heritage month celebrations – with panels and a final concert. See flyer below.

ONGOING & UPCOMING

Wednesday, October 18, 6 p.m-8 p.m 1400 Boylston Street (Development) Public Meeting | Virtual Meeting

The BPDA is hosting a Public Meeting for the 1400 Boylston Street project (current location of the Star Market, the “Station” and Star lower parking lot) in the Fenway, to discuss the Draft Project Impact Report. The meeting will include a presentation followed by Q&A and comments from the public. How to Participate: Please register in advance for this meeting through the following link: bit.ly/3RvAc01

Meeting ID: 160 342 2795

Toll-free call-in number: 833 568 8864

Tuesday, October 24 6PM, Red Sox / Fenway Park Neighborhood Meeting in the Ford Clubhouse located on 72 Brookline Avenue. 

Saturday, October 28, 2023  is the NEXT Voter Registration Deadline.

The Municipal Election will be on November 7, 2023

December 1st deadline to apply for the Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant  Berklee established the Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant to support community-based projects and initiatives that contribute to the vibrancy and quality of life in the Fenway neighborhood. The application deadline is December 1st, and you can find more information, including eligibility requirements, here. If you are a neighborhood nonprofit, please consider applying!

City of Boston neighborhood liaison Maggie Van Scoy to contact Maggie, visit her web page here. Or attend a coffee-hour on Fridays, 10-11 a.m. locations vary, check the website here. Oct 13th – Mission Hill

MBTA OCTOBER SERVICE CHANGES here

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

Curbside food waste collection is here! (for smaller buildings) and 

If you live in a big building, you can use Project Oscar community compost drop-offs located throughout the City to compost food scraps! Closest to Fenway is the Tobin Community Center at 1481 Tremont Street.

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; 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.

See you around!

FenwayCivic Association

Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood