星期五, 5月 15, 2015

BRA Board approves $65.8 million in new projects at May meeting

BRA Board approves $65.8 million in new projects at May meeting
Approved projects will introduce over 600 units of housing and target needs of specific populations

BOSTON – The Board of Directors for the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) approved three new development proposals at last night’s meeting and revisions to two previously approved projects. The new projects represent over $65.8 million of investment in Boston’s economy, and over 1,600 construction jobs are expected to result from all the projects that received approval. New housing projects were approved for South Boston and Brighton, with the latter calling for construction of new senior units to help meet existing demand and advance Mayor Walsh’s agenda for housing a changing City by 2030. The Copley residential and retail expansion and a residential project at 1350 Boylston Street in Fenway obtained new approvals for relatively minor project changes.

The local economy gained additional support through a citywide amendment to the Boston Zoning Code. The approved amendment makes it easier for small businesses to open throughout the City, by allowing “low-impact” uses in all of Boston’s commercial districts. Art galleries, and specific entertainment, retail, service, and trade venues defined as low-impact may now open citywide, without business owners having to navigate dense, neighborhood-specific zoning restrictions. This update to the Zoning Code makes good on the Mayor’s call to streamline the permitting process for small businesses, which he discussed in a December speech to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce. City Councilor Ayanna Pressley supported the measure, specifically as it relates to art galleries.

Below is a summary of the projects that are set to move forward.

Copley Place residential and retail expansion moves forward with boundary amendment and updated affordable housing agreement


Total Project Cost: $500,000,000

Total SF: 1,960,000

Construction Jobs: 1,477

The Copley Place residential and retail expansion site boundaries have been revised and redrawn to accommodate overhangs on the façade. This adjustment was made to prevent exterior features from encroaching onto areas outside the approved site, and will enable the Elkus-Manfredi-designed project to progress.

The project is comprised of two components: an expanded retail base at the plaza near Stuart and Dartmouth Streets and a residential component to be built above. The 690,000 square feet of new residential space will include amenities for approximately 542 residential units, with 76 one-, two-, and three-bedroom units created on-site as affordable housing. The BRA facilitated negotiations with Simon Properties, the developer, and the community to include five additional affordable units from what was previously approved.

The retail expansion and residential programming are designed to dramatically improve the site’s character, refine the overall pedestrian experience, and support sustainable design goals, with the development team stating a commitment to achieving LEED Silver Certification.

49 residential units approved for 14 West Broadway at Cornerstone Pub location


Total Project Cost: $35 million

Total SF: 90,000

Construction Jobs: 84

CPC Cornerstone Development, LLC gained approval to redevelop a site that is currently occupied by the Cornerstone Pub in South Boston.

The development team proposed construction of an approximately 90,000 square foot mixed-use building, with either the first or second floor reserved for commercial use. The remaining space would house the 49-unit residential component, featuring a mix of one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units, six of which will be maintained as affordable. The project also includes 70 below-grade parking spaces.

The neighborhood economy will benefit from new commercial and retail spaces along Dorchester Avenue and West Broadway. The streetscape and pedestrian experience will be enhanced with new trees and other landscaping.

Construction is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2015 and be completed in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Two new residential buildings slated for construction at 815 East Fifth St. & 812 East Sixth St.


Total Project Cost: $8 million

Total SF: 31,673

Construction Jobs: 23

815 East 5th Street, LLC received final approval to construct two new residential buildings on a 17,500 square foot site at 815 East Fifth Street and 812 East Sixth Street in South Boston. The two buildings will be separated by an open space garden courtyard that will serve as an important natural bridge between the nine-unit and ten-unit buildings.

The nineteen-unit development consists of one (1) one-bedroom unit, twelve (12) two-bedroom units, and six (6) three-bedroom units, two of which will be created as affordable housing. The project will also include an underground parking garage with 33 off-street residential parking spaces. There will be approximately 19 spots reserved for bicycles (one per unit) within the garage.

 

Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly adding 61 units to Chestnut Hill campus in Brighton


Total Project Cost: $22.8 million

Total SF: 56,172

Construction Jobs: 40

Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly (JCHE) received approval to construct 61 apartment homes on its Chestnut Hill campus. These would enhance the existing 700-unit campus, which provides reasonably-priced housing for seniors. Residents will have immediate access to a senior-specialized fitness center, uniquely equipped computer center, multi-lingual library, auditorium, recreational space and additional amenities.

JCHE will apply universal design principles to the greatest extent possible so that all residents can age independently in their own apartments. The project is also designed to assist other special populations. Through a partnership with Hearth, seven units will serve formerly homeless seniors, and a 5-unit studio grouping for aging adults with lifelong disabilities will be developed in conjunction with Jewish Children & Family Services.

The project also includes approximately 3,500 square feet of retail and commercial space to be occupied by a tenant who will serve both the 900 residents in JCHE’s Brighton community and their neighbors along Chestnut Hill Avenue. By offering a neighborhood-friendly commercial use on the first floor of the new building, JCHE hopes that seniors on its campus will have an opportunity to engage with members of the surrounding community.
                    

 

Tentative designation approved for Boston Marine Industrial Park’s Parcel Q-1

Skanska USA Commercial Development, Inc. received tentative designation to lease and develop Parcel Q-1 in the BRA-owned Marine Industrial Park. The 36,799 square foot site is one of only two parcels in the industrial district that does not restrict development to either maritime or industrial projects. Skanska plans to capitalize on this opportunity by constructing 215,000 square feet of office space with first floor retail.

WGBH慶亞裔傳統月 十五日放映“宴之魂” 廿日聚會賞三片

WGBH電視/廣播電台將於五月廿日晚六至九點,在電台內舉辦第七屆亞美太平洋島民傳統月慶祝會,放映“九人”等三部亞裔影片的精彩片段。
WGBH的三名亞裔監督員(overseers),陳秀英,李超榮,羅薌來(Susan Luo),和該台電視部及世界頻道總經理程必璧共同策畫了今年的亞太裔傳統月慶祝活動。
WGBH2WGBX44,以及WGBH世界頻道,將在五月份內放映共39部亞太裔影片。
在五月廿日的慶祝活動上,他們將放映“九人(9-Man)”,“贏女孩(Winning Girl)”,“柬埔寨兒子(Cambodian Son)”等三部影片的選段,並邀卡耐基美倫大學企業管理教授Sridhar Tayur,談論成功打破”竹天花板(Bamboo Ceiling)“的業界,社區亞裔領袖。
WGBH將放映的亞裔影片中,除了五月五日已放映,曾在大波士頓院線上映,描述台山人獨特九人排球賽,大波士頓華人阮浩鑾在片中出現多次的“九人”,以及五月九日放映,描述美國第一位越南裔國會議員高光映的“高先生到華府“等片外,五月十五日將放映著名華裔導演王穎於2013年完成,描述舊金山“福祿壽(The Mandarin)“餐館創始人江孫芸(Cecilia Chiang)把地道中國美食引進美國的紀錄片“宴之魂(Soul of Banquet)“。
波士頓也有至少一家的華館(P. F. Chang’s)“餐廳,就是江孫蕓的兒子江一帆所開的著名連鎖餐廳。
WGBH五月廿日的亞太裔傳統月慶祝活動,入場免費,須先註冊。 

僑商網『臺灣寶島意難忘』活動開跑

  • 僑商網『臺灣寶島意難忘』活動開跑!

  • 為推廣全球僑商服務網,宣導僑商網多元服務,使海內外朋友進一步認識僑商網,擴大招募網站新會員及臉書粉絲,僑務委員會於104年5月26日起至6月23日辦理「僑商網臺灣寶島意難忘」活動,以懷舊臺灣為主軸,邀請僑胞朋友票選出最具臺灣代表性事物,讓身處在外地的僑胞們能藉此勾起故鄉暖暖回憶。並有機會獲得首獎ASUS平板等多項精美獎品。



    活動詳情如下:

    一、活動日期:104年5月26日至104年6月23日

    二、活動對象:全球朋友均可參加。

    三、活動時程:
    第一重票選:點擊首頁”投票去”按鍵,票選柑子店照片,即可參加抽獎!
    第二重徵稿:點擊”懷舊照片徵稿”按鍵,上傳臺灣懷舊主題照片,即可參加抽獎!

    四、活動獎品:
    *優良作品獎:由主辦單位依評選標準擇定前3名,活動結束後三周內於活動得獎名單公佈。
    第一名:
    ASUS MeMO Pad8 ME181CX 平板(市值約新臺幣6,000元) 1名。
    第二名:
    Pringo P231 口袋相印機(市值約新臺幣4,000元)  1名。
    第三名:
    Google Chromecast 電視棒(市值約新臺幣1,500元) 1名。
    *投票獎:羊年限定隨身碟 (市值約新臺幣600元) 6名。

    五、活動方式:
    參加活動請上全球僑商服務網內的活動專區www.ocbn.org.tw或活動網頁http://ocbn7.events.pixnet.net/參與僑商網臺灣寶島意難忘活動後,填寫資料,即有機會獲得眾多好禮!

家居護理工人爭取調高時薪至十五元

百人經1199 SEIU工會號召,十三日中午聚集到麻州州政府大樓前,舉告示,喊口號,訴心聲,呼籲州政府修訂薪資法,把家居護理工作人員的時薪提高到十五元。
華人前進會召集支持者和華裔家居護理業工作人員,高舉“提高工資,改善福利”,“提高工資,擺脫貧窮”等中文標語牌,夾在穿著紫色T恤,高舉 “團結力量大”,“醫院工作者和個人護理員為尊嚴團結”,“清潔工要未來”,以及“十五元”等英文,西班牙文標語牌的工會成員行列中。
華人前進會共同主席陳玉珍表示,這次集會示威主要因為麻州約三萬五千名家居護理工人的合約,將於七月一日到期,相關工作人員希望把工資提高到每小時十五元。
麻州去年才把最低工資提高為每小時九元。麻州家居護理工人目前的時薪為十三點三八元。
麻州眾議會議長狄樂歐(Robert DeLeo),眾議員Jim O'Day這天都出席致詞,支持該一要求。狄樂歐並說,要讓麻州真正共同富裕。
            出席示威者中包括“醫療資源居家護理(Medical Resources Home Health)公司的華裔,拉丁裔員工。他們表示,已申請組織工會,希望將來在工資,醫療保險,病假等權益上獲得更多保障。
        在“醫療資源家居護理”公司已服務多年的雷媚表示,在多個組織遊行數次後,她的工資已由最初的時薪八元增加到現在的十元多一點,但她仍需每週工作五十多個小時,才能勉強因應生活所需,也沒有健康保險,不受公司尊重。
            住在君子樓的馬華表示,像他這樣的耆英,沒有會講粵語的家居護理人員幫忙,日子不會過得舒坦,所以儘管他行動不便,還是要出席支持爭取行動。
            示威群眾在麻州政府大樓喊口號之後,魚貫進入州政府大樓,敲門拜會州議員,陳情籲請支持。
            住在美順樓的姚峰說,她女兒也是一名家居護理工作人員,儘管病了已有一段時間,由於沒有薪病假,一直拖到實在不行了,才去醫院。希望這次的示威活動,能改善家居護理工作人員的整體工作條件。

圖片說明:

            馬華加入集會示威行列,支持家居護理工人爭取提高時薪。(戴斯夢攝)

            1199 SEIU工會及華人前進會號召支持者到麻州政府大樓前集會示威,支持家居護理工人爭取提高時薪。(戴斯夢攝)


            麻州眾議會議長狄樂歐(Robert DeLeo)出席支持工人。(戴斯夢攝)

華美福利會就業展三小時吸引四百多人

華美福利會昨(十四)日在瑞吉路易斯體育中心(Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center)舉辦就業展,有四百多人在三小時內穿梭廿三個企業,機構攤位,探問資訊。
華美福利會表示,事前報名的約有二百八十多人,但昨日有很多人直接來到現場,甚至不願留下個人資料,估計出席總數共有四百八十左右,其中約有一半為亞裔。
昨日參展的企業,有部分是特別為招聘亞裔員工而來。
美國銀行設於羅德島州普域敦斯(Providence)的“公司應付帳款(corporate accounts payable)”部門,希望招聘約三名懂得亞洲語言的營業分析員。
該公司助理副總裁Tammy L O’Connor表示,該部門為很多亞洲地區客戶服務,在溝通及閱讀,翻譯文件上,都有特定語言需求。該部門將持續擴展,估計年底增聘至十人。
Tammy L O’Connor透露,他們在這次的就業展中收到五,六十份履歷表,也對他們見到的探詢者程度,表示滿意。
菁英服務(Elite Services)希望招聘一名能說廣東話兼國語的門房(concierge)。該公司最近接下波士頓華埠內信義大下的門房服務業務,還一直未能覓得足夠的符合需要人手。該公司透露,這次來擺攤,只有一個職位空缺,但收到了廿五份履歷表,成績很好。
昨日參展的企業,機構,種類非常多樣化,金融類最多,包括美國銀行,桑坦德(Santander)銀行,東方銀行,道富集團,普天壽波士頓金融集團,有大約五家,各自在現場收取了五,六十份履歷表。
政府機構有波士頓消防局,薩福克郡治安官部門;學校有波士頓大學;醫藥保險領域有麻州藍十字藍盾, 鄰里健康計劃(Neighborhood Health Plan),波士頓醫療中心,CVS,沃爾格林(Walgreen’s);非牟利機構有ABCDProject Place,其他還有大理石通訊(Granite Telecommunications),家得寶(Home Depot),KeolisManicube,尼門馬可斯(Neiman Marcus),Piantedosi烘培公司,Snap Chef等。    
            華美福利會就業服務協調員Cyndy Chapm-Levesque表示,參展企業,機構提供的職位,從初入行到高級主管都有。
            華美福利會副行政主任史華姿(Sunny Schwartz)表示,在就業服務部分,該會的服務已經是面向整個社區。一百家以上的該會企業合作夥伴中,昨日只有一小部分參展。
            華美福利會就業服務協調員Cyndy Chapm-Levesque透露,該會稍後將重新檢視報名參加活動者遞交的履歷表,若發現有與參展雇主需要符合者,將另行聯繫,進一步洽談,嘗試提供修改履歷表,指點學歷認證等服務,以幫助更多人就業。
她表示,有不少移民教育程度很高,卻以為那學歷在美國不被承認。其實除了醫師,護士等專業牌照必須重新考試,申請之外,一般學歷只要經過適當認證,都有效。

圖片說明:

            華美福利會副行政主任史華姿(左)向出席者說明該會服務項目。(菊子攝)

            美國銀行派出三人為“公司應付帳款(corporate accounts payable)”部門辦理招聘。(菊子攝)


            菁英服務公司指名要請會廣東話的人。(菊子攝)

李氏公所聚餐慶雙親節

紐英崙李氏公所日前趁時序跨入五月,氣温恰好在70-80度那天,聚集了一百七十多名宗親,在潮洲城酒樓共享豐盛午餐,慶祝雙親節,同時向母親,父親致敬。
餐會由書記李奇舜主持,主席李炳輝致詞。他們表示,紐英崙今冬遇上有史以來最大風雪,不但溼冷,還道路泥濘,舟車不便,大家都有被困多時之感,如今好不容易,雪已融了,天也暖了,能夠輕鬆的和宗親們聚首話舊,實在令人高興。
一百七十多名李氏宗親當天在酒樓內歡聲笑語不斷,彼此打趣的說,母親固然偉大,父親也不容忽視,子女向長輩表心意,可不能“挂一漏萬”,所以既要慶祝母親節,也要慶祝父親節,最後當然就是慶祝雙親節了。
            母親節是當今社會,眾人熟知的節日,各國慶祝的日期不一。根據維基百科,母親節源起於古希臘,美國國會於1913年時訂定每年五月的第二個星期日為母親節。由於母親節後來變得過於商業化,促使美國訂定母親節的安娜賈維斯(Anna Jarvis)所成立的母親日國際協會,在安娜賈維斯於1948年過世後,仍持續抗議。
            維基百科上的資料指出,父親節始於廿世紀初的美國。各國的父親節日期也不盡相同。包括香港及澳門,大部份地區訂為六月的第三個星期日。台灣則因八月八日與“爸爸”諧音,訂該日為父親節。

圖片說明:

            紐英崙李氏宗親會慶祝雙親節後合影。(圖由李氏宗親會提供)