What are ways you could help to help us reform BPDA?
There are still work to be done regarding planning and designing from a community-based perspective. New administration gives hope to
For Eastie, there’s daily construction everywhere. What could happen to ensure we do it correctly?
We should put a pause on building and luxury development to ensure we can create a framework for community building
From Councilor Mejia’s Chief of Staff:
Hi Everyone, Thank you so much for inviting us to join you this evening. My name is Sandra and I am Councilor Mejia’s Chief of Staff. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if there is any way that we can be helpful;. Councilor Mejia’s email is Julia.Mejia@boston.gov and my email is Sandra.Saavedra@boston.gov….. — also follow us on social media: @juliaforboston to keep up with us! Thank you again. 🙂
Police updates
Officer Tommy Domenico
Increase of drug activities in the neighborhood
A few car breaks: most recently on Bremen St.
Traffic crash on Chelsea and Porter St. on 6/19
There was a break-in on 124 Gove St.
On-going construction on Gove St. due to water and sewer lines
City hall updates
Nathalia Benitez
Coffee Hour with Mayor Wu on 7/13 from 9:30-10:30 am at East Boston Stadium
Mayor Wu is hosting a block party on City Hall on 6/30
Questions regarding Sumner Tunnel closure
Mitigation offered by MassDOT: discount on using Tobin Bridge; greening and beautifying tunnel portals; minimize noise, vibration, dusts, and pests
Asks made by elected officials: public transit – free blue line, continue East Boston ferry, adequate blue and silver line, open MassDOT parking lot; minimize congestion; emergency services: coordination with highway operations center and EMS dispatch, outline plan for emergency services when tunnels are closed, fund overnight shift for EMS in East Boston
Carlos Munoz: Free Blue Line and ferry service during the project.
Bluevelvet: a plan should’ve been in place prior to any closures or last minute needs for our community. the airport traffic is being diverted into our neighborhood
Jane O’Reilly: There should be a moratorium on new developments
Massport: This 5/26 Thurs 10:30 am – there will be a WWII Memorial – 13 Lovell St.
Community updates (20 min)
BPD update from Sgt. Cintolo and Tommy Domenico
Report of male exposing himself in front of woman and children on Bremen St.; there is a warrant for his arrest
On 4/29, there was 115 Gove St. break-in
On 5/9, there was a car damage
5/19, Bremen auto-body shock, fist fight
Drug OD
No major incidents around Greenway and surrounding area
Drug unit has been very active, making arrests
Commercial break-ins have taken place around overnight hours
Catalytic converter thefts are still occurring
Parking is a major issue in the area – call 911 and they will come to tag the vehicle
Water and sewer pipe replacement happening in neighborhood
There has been shaking happening to buildings when they are replacing water and sewer pipe.
Readings are normally below the threshold. Currently, they are doing minor replacements, so it shouldn’t be causing shakings. If anything, please contact Victor Pacella and/or Ryan Shea
How long will this take place?
Timeline updates:
Cottage St is expected to go until August, but may be shifted to September due to permitted work hours
May want to shift up the time start at 7am, pending BPD approval and community feedback
Orlean St. is aiming to complete by Nov. 2022
What impact will this have for me?
The goal is to improve the infrastructure of pipes. Will have a positive impact to prevent water from overflowing during extreme weather
Contact: Ryan Shea @ BWSC SHEAR@BWSC.org Victor Pacella – RJV Construction Corp. – Project Manger – 617-504-0315….Please do not hesitate to call
East Boston liaison – Nathalia Benitez
Mayor Wu announced two new programs for renewable efficiency: Solarize Eastie -Solarize Eastie will reduce costs for solar panel installation and the Community First Partnership will expand energy efficiency opportunities for environmental justice communities. Access Increased to Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency | Boston.gov
Phase 2 of waterfront initiative is close to completion – awaiting final approval from Environment Department; Nathalia will plan to bring in a contact to a future meeting
Coffee Hour – July 13th 9:30-10:30 am at East Boston Memorial Park
Projects (60 min)
99A Cottage St
Background
Ariana Weihn – bought house in 2018 and loved the roof deck. But in 2021, had to knock down the entire roof deck to replace the leaky roof
Hired a local contractor to fix leak and construct new deck
Engaged an engineer to evaluate structural integrity and providing necessary drawings
Filed application for rebuild and received ISD refusal letter that the deck was not previously permitted
Boston Police Dept. update from Officer Curtis Mosley
Rise in shots fired and gun arrest – be mindful and careful of your area
Recovered 4 firearms recovered last week
On Liverpool St., there has been 2 incidents
Telephone scams seem to be decreasing
Fraud report with Bitcoin
Central Sq. still seeing shoplifting
Several citations on public drinking
Car breaks and catalytic thefts still seem to be issue
Commercial plates issues in the Eagle Hill area
There was a body found near the old casket – State Trooper leading efforts
Drug arrest that happened near South Bremen St. area
On 4/23, there was an arrest for aggravated assault near S. Bremen St.
Water and sewer pipe replacement in Gove Street area
There is ongoing water main, sewer drains, and pipes infrastructure being updated in the Gove Street neighborhood.
BWSC is asking us to separate existing combined sewers in East Boston. This includes the replacement of approximately 3,950 linear feet of combined sewers / sanitary sewers, and the installation of 7,355 linear feet of storm drains. This work also includes installing 8,800 linear feet of water mains, and the rehabilitation of approximately 2,310 linear feet of existing wastewater pipes.
Upcoming Blue Line service disruption: shuttle buses and ferries
Blue line diversion taking place from 4/25 to 5/8. Buses will be running from Government Center to Airport. There’s also ferries shuttling individuals between the Lewis Mall and Long Wharf.
Later, there are blue line diversions May 12 to May 29 between Orient Heights and Wonderland
East Boston neighborhood liaison, Nathalia Benitez-Perez Updates on fire at 183 Maverick Street in February
Coffee Hour with the Mayor on 5/4 from 9:30-10:30 am – there will be iced coffee and plants; also BPD will be present
Rodent walk with Office of inspectional services taking place next week. Please add areas to address to Nathalia
89 Orlean St. occupants have been taken cared of by insurance
91-93 Orlean St. most residents are staying with family and friends; Noah has been helping with; if you drop anything off, please email Nathalia (nathalia.benitezperez@boston.gov)
Neighborhood clean up can share tools – can work with Public Works
Flight attendant crash pad on Geneva Street
Fire department went to location, which then brought forth ISD and it was deemed as an environment not suitable for living
The owner is working with ISD to see if this can be addressed
Natasha Perez on Bremen/Orleans project
Piers Park III design update, Boston Waterfront Initiative Trustees (10 min)
Providing update of the improved design based on community feedback
Discussion ongoing on route of shuttles – more information to come
Coffee with Michele Wu – location TBD
May 4th at East Boston Memorial Park, Tentative time is 9:30 am.
Still waiting for confirmation. Please come if you can, this is a great opportunity to talk to the Mayor, other elected officials and ask questions about specific issues involved since we’ll have many departments there to answer.
Questions:
What is the city doing with rat issue near Gove St?
Information forthcoming for walkthrough by inspectional services
Contact info: nathalia.benitezperez@boston.gov
Bremen & Orleans Development Project, Natasha Perez (5 min)
Continuing process with BPDA – working on incorporating recommendations into design
Aiming to present an updated design in future Gove Street meeting
Questions:
When is construction supposed to start?
No. Still very early in the process with BPDA.
Can community weigh into process with development?
There was initial community input. All of this will be directed to the developers, including the developers.
Will there be more Impact Advisory Group (IAG) meetings?
The city may decide the plans for meetings. There have been two meetings, but there has not yet been additional ones.
Can connect with Jason at BPDA on process
How will Porter St. support auto-rich projects
There are a series of traffic studies that have to be reviewed with the city.
For follow-up questions, perez_natasha@outlook.com
Signatures to put Andrea Campbell on ballot for Attorney General (1 min)
Cheryl Harding, Field Director, Andrea Campbell campaign
She needs 10K signatures to get on the ballot by May 1st
Volunteer event taking place on Thursday 3/30 in Dorchester
Cheryl@andreacampbell.org 857-251-2193 Thank you
284 Maverick Street Development, Drago and Toscano, LLP – Community Presentation (30 min)
Introduction
Presentation by Jeffrey Drago
Developer: Odessit Capital
Seeking to erect a new four-unit building
Lot size: 1924 sq.ft.
Presentation link:
Use area is 3F, seeking 4F variance. Total of 7 variances.
Questions
Is there a headhouse built?
No.
Comments about the exterior colors of the building being dull
What are the proposed units?
Currently they are proposed rentals
3 bedroom; 2 bath
Units are around 1,150 sq. ft.
Concerns about lack of elevator in the building
Common to not have elevator in the building
Where does storage and heating/electrical going?
Heating and electrical units will be located within each unit
Storage for trash is located in the back
How many variances will be requested?
7 variances
Will there be green space in the back?
Yes
How do you maintain and repair the walls with only a 2 1/2 ft space — over the many years the building will be standing
This is typical of new constructions. If there are any major leaks, this will be addressed from within the building.
When can we vote on this project?
Meeting can take place next month
“Loftel” Development Project at Orleans/Porter (175 Orleans Street), Richard Lynds – Community Updates (30 min)
Updates:
Work has started on the building – with windows being installed
Expected to completely rehab the building to convert into a 123 room hotel
There will be 65 parking slots
There had been delays due to telecommunication installation. This was important to get this in place.
Full service restaurant and lounge will be available open to the public
Updates to the masonry, but minimal changes overall
There will be new plants/trees that will be installed along Porter and Orlean, as well as at the parking lot
Developer commitments:
Installation of new lighting around the perimeter of the building to improve pedestrian safety
Public realm improvements, including new landscaping, reconstructed sidewalks
Creation of 150 construction jobs over the course of project
Creation of 20 permanent full-time jobs
Commitment of up to $10K to repairs of Porter St. bridge to either City of Boston or Commonwealth of Mass.
Place and manage trash cans along the adjacent streets
Provide access for neighbors to use hotel’s parking lots during snow and state emergencies provided spaces are available above those required by hotel guests
Provide or pay for the costs associated of Zoom account used by GSCA
Grant permission to use to host the monthly board and member meetings
Contribute $5K for 10 years towards cost of regular maintenance to the Greenway
Questions and comments
Are some of the 65 off-street parking spaces available for non-hotel guests who may be eating at the restaurant?
Prioritized for hotel occupants. But this could be made possible.
Is the restaurant and lounge already chosen? Average hotel room costs?
Currently seeking to have hotel operator run the restaurant and lounge
Please make as many trees as possible
Need to make sure the installation of trees will meet city of Boston’s requirements for sidewalk width
The prior community-approved agreement included that the entrance to the parking would be on Frankfort, and that cars would enter on Frankfort and exit on Orleans (or vice-versa) to minimize traffic. This looks like it has changed, and that would, I believe, invalidate the previous agreement
Cars will enter on Porter St and go through circulator to exit on Orleans St.
Project plan was reviewed by BPDA
What will the landscape look like? Lighting?
There will be 5’ landscape along the side
Back will be a driveway
Can work on fence to mitigate the noise
Lighting study included in the original submitted – has been reviewed by BPDA
Which part of the window façade will be repaired?
Plan is to repair 70% of the façade. Wait until the structural repair for the column can be done. Then complete the rest of the façade repair
Will any on-street parking be eliminated?
None will be eliminated.
What is the plan to/from airport?
Goal is to not have any vans
What is the branding?
Cambria Hotel
How long will construction take?
Aiming to wrap up by end of 2023/summer 2024. But this is dependent on supply chain and minimized impacts by COVID
What are the construction times?
Work under permit can take place: M-F 7 am until 5 pm
Heavy construction can only start after 8 am
What is the off-street parking?
65 parking spaces were approved prior by BPDA; it is a 50% parking-to-room
Most of the attendees will be flying/into airport
Parking will be charged comparable to other hotels in the area
When was the developer commitments made?
In Article 80, there are several requirements to obtain a certificate from BPDA. Developer has to make commitments for the community.
Who will be moving the telecommunication equipment?
A combination of Jamsan contractors and the telecommunication company at the expense of Jamsan.
More information on update: fire started 3:40 and put out around 7:30; 25 families were displaced; no fatalities; impacted 4 houses – 2 children; looking for winter clothes, basic necessities – can drop off at BCYF; Red Cross helping housing, but working with the City; cause of fire still under investigation
Updates from new East Boston liaison to the mayor’s office, Nathalia Benitez
Introduction of Nathalia Benitez – new City of Boston liaison – residing on Chelsea St.
How can Nathalia help?
Community outreach – connecting constituents with services to City Hall; addresses needs and wants of the neighborhood; manages development process for developers and residents; licensing for East Boston of restaurants and cannabis; schedule abutters meetings
Mayor’s shift to focus on waterfront development in East Boston (new municipal harbor plan)
Very early in development – want to address and help East Boston
Working with BPDA to create plan for constructions
Hope to provide more updates next month and going forward
Updates on policies related to COVID-19
Vaccine mandates were lifted for restaurants and city workers as of last week
Questions for Nathalia Benitez: nathalia.benitezperez@boston.gov / 617-635-2681
Community updates from Boston Police Department officer Sgt. Cintolo and Tommy Demenico
Fire started 3:26 am; MBTA helped with buses
Crime
Motor vehicle crimes happening more frequently taking advantage of unlocked cars – please lock your car and keep valuable items in the trunk
Catalytic converter theft occurring
Commercial vehicles after 9pm must be removed – recommends calling 911 to have police come remove vehicles
Scams involving gift cards and bitcoins are still happening – if unsure, please hang up
Community service phone number: 617-343-4752
Open discussion
Loftel: will ask to have the group provide update in the next meeting
Question about separate JPNA and Gove St. associations: started 3 years ago because of the large number of developments and constructions
Nathalia can share monthly updates on developments; each association has its own process – anyone that lives within 300 ft of building joins the abutters meeting