Dear Members and Friends:
January was named for the Roman god Janus, the protector of gates and doorways, symbols of beginnings and endings. Janus is depicted with two faces: one looks into the past, the other sees into the future.
Our own Johnson Gates were erected in 1902 by our visionary predecessors to mark a grand entrance from the Back Bay Fens to the Emerald Necklace parks system. 121 years later, we hold the responsibility to protect the parklands into the future.
A petition is circulating to protect the Emerald Necklace by requesting the BPDA to adhere to its Interim Longwood Medical Area Guidelines, which would limit shadows and building heights for Longwood Place. To read the petition and sign, visit: https://chng.it/BYxwkNbRby
Protect the Emerald Necklace parks—please don’t take our sunlight away!
The Week Ahead – starting Monday 1/9/23
Out with the old!
1. MATTRESS REMOVAL City of Boston begins a new mattress recycling program this month. Help keep landfills mattress free.
2. RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE. The Department of Public Works picks up Christmas trees in January to be shredded for compost. If you have two recycling days, they pick up trees on your first recycling day. Check the Trash and Recycling Day app to find your tree collection dates. Please place your trees on the curb by 6 a.m., without ornaments or lights.
In with the new(s)!
3. COVID-19 UPDATE: Boston elevated to high COVID-19 risk by CDC https://www.boston.gov/news/cdc-elevates-suffolk-county-high-covid-19-risk Please be aware.
4. Boston Parks launches Winter Fitness series – online & free!
Ready to get moving? Everyone, at every fitness level is invited to join in, feel good, visit https://www.boston.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/boston-parks-fitness-series to learn more!
DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING MEETINGS
1. Tuesday Jan 10 6-7:30 p.m. Back Bay Fens pathway meeting #2
https://www.boston.gov/calendar/back-bay-fens-pathways-design-meeting-2 (Virtual meeting): Join Boston Parks and Recreation for a community engagement meeting regarding the Back Bay Fens pathway restoration project – a presentation followed by a question-and-answer session.
2. Wednesday Jan 11 6-8 p.m Public meeting on Linkage and Lab Uses Update
Click here for details. The City of Boston recently commissioned a nexus/feasibility study to better understand how the City can increase the current fees, and recommendations were to increase the base linkage and to create a new rate applicable to lab uses. In order to do that, updates to the zoning definitions of the Zoning Code as well as to Article 80 must be put into effect. We are seeking general input from the public through the website and through a public meeting on January 11, 2023. Please submit comments by January 15, 2023.
3. Wednesday Jan 11 6-8 p.m Boston University Task Force and 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 Impact Advisory Group, followed by 45 minutes of public Q&A.
For meeting details and registration link click here.
*The 1/12/23 165 Park Drive Public meeting meeting has been rescheduled for 1/30/23* see below
UPCOMING ARTS EVENTS
Monday Jan 16 10 a.m.-5 p.m. MLK Day – Free Admission at Boston MFA
https://www.mfa.org/event/special-event/mlk-day-open-house
Join the MFA for its annual MLK Day Open House, presented in partnership with Citizens. This year, MFA Boston offers free admission—including access to “Life Magazine and the Power of Photography”—for Massachusetts residents. Celebrate the legacy of Dr. King by surrounding yourself with art making, performances, and talks with members of our community! Tickets available in person on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is free with a valid Massachusetts zip code.
Friday Jan 20 – 7 p.m. Concert at Kaji Aso Studio
Local concert pianist & contemporary music composer, Yuhang Li, performs Mozart, Schumann, Chopin and original music. This event is free. Complete info at: www.kajiasostudio.com
UPCOMING DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING MEETINGS
Tuesday Jan 17 6 p.m. NIC meeting
https://berklee.zoom.us/j/92462899737?pwd=NXF4elVMazQ4TFgvVWY4SkdsUWE0UT09
Meeting ID: 924 6289 9737 Passcode: 251907
Hear from Berklee and the NIC* regarding new Fenway legislative maps, Institutional Master Plan updates, Berklee funded community grants, Traffic Calming plans for the East Fenway, and subcommitee updates. *The Neighborhood Improvement Committee (NIC) is an all volunteer group of Fenway Neighborhood residents, organizations and businesses, facilitated by Berklee College of Music, with the goal of encouraging shared stewardship of the Fenway Neighborhood.
Thursday Jan 19 5:40 p.m. BPDA meeting, including hearing on Longwood place (scheduled for 5:40)
The Boston Redevelopment Authority d/b/a the Boston Planning & Development Agency (“BPDA”), pursuant to Sections 80A-2 and 80C-5.4 of the Boston Zoning Code (“Code”), hereby gives notice that it will hold a virtual Public Hearing on Thursday, January 19, 2023 at 5:40 p.m., televised on Boston City TV (Xfinity Channel 24, RCN Channel 13, and Verizon Fios Channel 962) and live streamed on boston.gov, to consider the proposed Development Plan for Planned Development Area No. 134, Longwood Place, submitted by SCD Pilgrim Road Master Planner LLC c/o Skanska USA Commercial Development Inc. Members of the public may participate in this Public Hearing by registering at https://bit.ly/JanBPDAMeeting or emailing your testimony to BRABoard@boston.gov. Emailed testimony will be read aloud during the hearing. The Proposed Project may be viewed at the following link: https://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/longwood-place
*This meeting has been rescheduled from 1/12/23*
Monday Jan 30 – 6-8 p.m 165 Park Drive Public meeting
The BPDA will be hosting a virtual public meeting for the 165 Park Drive project; construction of two 7-story residential buildings in the rear of the site of the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral. A Letter of Intent is under review. You may submit your comments now through Feb 3 by going to the project page and filling out the online comments form.
Fenway Civic Association 