星期一, 2月 12, 2018

波士頓經文處長賴銘琪拜訪佛蒙特州州長



賴銘琪拜會佛蒙特州州長史考特(Phil Scott)並應邀於州議會商務暨經濟發展委員會發表演講

駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處賴處長銘琪夫婦偕廖副組長文安及王秘書麗芬於26日至7日赴佛州第一大城Burlington及首府Montpelier拜會佛州州長等政要,代表中華民國(臺灣)政府感謝渠等長期支持臺灣,並促請佛州與臺灣強化實質合作與交流。
史考特州長歡迎賴處長乙行來訪,主動詢及花蓮地震災情表達關切,賴處長稱謝並允將州長關懷轉陳國內。史考特州長肯定我用心經營與該州在各項領域發展合作之努力,對提升雙方在經貿上的合作抱持高度興趣,另亦對如何吸引臺灣人民到佛州觀光充滿期待。賴處長表示佛州擁有極佳的天然休閒環境,四季分明,風光明媚,若佛州考慮重新在臺設立經貿辦事處,樂於代為促成,以提升佛州在臺灣之能見度及雙方經貿合作。雙方晤談30分鐘,互贈禮品後結束拜會。
賴處長另赴佛蒙特州議會商業暨經濟發展委員會發表演講,出席議員約15-20名,主要內容為促請佛蒙特州研議與我簽署駕照互換協議、國人赴美免簽計畫實施良好、臺美經貿關係密切、感謝支持我國加入國際組織及推動佛州在臺成立辦事處等。現場許多議員發言踴躍,多就如何提升臺灣與佛蒙特州間互動進行提問,賴處長均逐一答覆,互動熱絡,場面溫馨。
臺灣與美國經貿往來密切,2016年雙邊經貿往來達650億美元,臺灣為美國第十大貿易夥伴,對美國農產品之人均消費力為全球第二大;就雙邊投資而言,美國是臺灣最大外資來源,而臺灣在美國的投資與貿易亦為美國創造超過32萬個工作機會,緊密合作可見一斑。2016年我國為佛州第8大出口市場,第11大進口來源國。2016年佛州對臺灣出口金額9,600萬美元,進口約4,000萬美元,主要輸臺產品包括電子零組件及相關設備、塑橡膠製品、光學醫學儀器、石材石膏及木製品等。
賴處長此行除拜會史考特州長外,並拜會副州長兼參議長David Zuckerman、眾議會議長Mitzi Johnson、眾議會多數黨領袖Jill Krowinski(兼任兒童貧窮委員會主席)、眾議會助理多數黨領袖Kate Webb、農林產品委員會主席Carolyn Partridge、商務暨經濟發展委員會主席Bill Botzow、副主席Michael Marcotte、教育委員會主席David Sharpe、眾議員Sam R. Young、聯邦參議員Patrick LeahyD-VT)之選區主任John Tracy及聯邦眾議員Peter Welch(D-VT)之選區主任George Twigg等人,代表我政府及人民感謝佛州議會過去13年來通過各項友我決議案,讚揚蔡總統推動臺美關係及維護亞太區域和平之努力並支持我國參與國際社會。(經文處新聞組提供)

Martin Walsh: BPD was inappropriate

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR MARTIN J. WALSH
BOSTON - Monday, February 12, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today released the following statement:

"Yesterday's tweet from the Boston Police Department was completely inappropriate and a gross misrepresentation of how we are honoring Black History Month in Boston. We are celebrating the accomplishments and limitless contributions of the Black community to our city and the entire country, from Harriet Tubman to great leaders of today such as Chief Justice Ireland, artists like New Edition and Michael Bivins, powerful activists including Mel King and Superintendent Lisa Holmes, the first African-American woman to lead the Boston Police Academy training program. I am personally committing to the people of Boston that we will always honor our Black leaders, activists and trailblazers with the respect they deserve, not just in February, but every day and every month of the year."

星期六, 2月 10, 2018

陳必先波士頓音樂會 觀眾數度起立鼓掌

中華表演基金會會長譚嘉陵(右)邀陳必先(左)再度回到波士頓演奏。(周菊子攝)
(Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 大波士頓人熟悉的著名鋼琴家陳必先,127日從德國回到波士頓,在新英格蘭音樂學院喬丹廳,為中華表演藝術基金會舉辦演奏會,觀眾數度起立鼓掌致敬。
陳必先演奏,聽眾獻花。(周菊子攝)
5歲開始學鋼琴,9歲以天才兒童之資被送到德國國立科隆音樂學院進修,其後得獎無數的陳必先,一直旅居德國,在弗萊堡音樂大學任教。過去這十幾年,應中華表演藝術基金會之邀,每年夏天她會回波士頓,在胡桃山音樂營的大師班教課。今年很特別,她在冬季回到波士頓辦演奏會,彈奏了莫札特C小調幻想曲KV475,荀伯格(Schoenberg)五鋼琴曲第23章,布列茲(Boulez)1962第三奏鳴曲,以及壓軸的舒伯特(Schubert)E大平調奏鳴曲D568
本來她是要以巴哈的曲目開場,但因為127日這天是莫札特(1756)的生日,陳必先特地把開場曲改成了莫札特的C小調幻想曲KV475,聊表敬意。
陳必先與譚嘉陵相識多年,感情甚篤。(周菊子攝)
近年注重當代音樂的陳必先,這晚還演奏了華人作曲家梁雷的作品,”我的窗 (1996-2007)”鋼琴組曲,包括”天”,”光波”,”焰戲”,”佇聽風聲起”等。
梁雷是近年備受矚目的華人作曲家,2015年才以薩克斯風與交響樂協奏曲”瀟湘”入圍普立茲獎。他為這場音樂會特地寫了篇註記,簡述他的創作淵源。
              波士頓音樂情報(The Boston Musical Intelligencer)David MoranLee Eiseman都為這場音樂會寫了樂評。
Lee Eiseman 形容陳必先出場時,謙卑、客氣的走向鋼琴,沒有一點大牌的態度,彈起莫札特的C小調幻想曲KV475,卻奏出讓人完全訝異的驚滔駭浪,有如那是來自統治者揮舞燃燒著的手,她緊攫人心,不肯放手。他指出,陳必先自己也形容莫札特這作品有如不可遏制的長跑。
新英格蘭音樂學院前校長(左ㄧ)也來向陳必先致意。(周菊子攝)
在彈奏荀伯格的五首鋼琴曲時,簡直沒有一個手勢,動作是事前未鑽研的。她的思緒流動快速,帶著聽眾穿越邏輯迷宮而不需要大開頭顱,她讓人覺得自己完全懂得荀伯格的世界。她的彈奏讓作曲者的架構清晰又充滿情感意象。
Lee Eiseman指出,陳必先自己也說了,彈奏荀伯格作品時,最重要的是表達。荀伯格教學生時也強調,永遠要認真表達自己的感覺。另外,在表達荀伯格作品意思上,12音技巧是必須的。五首鋼琴曲是荀伯格第一次使用12音排。
中華表演基金會會長譚嘉陵(中)與鋼琴家黎卓宇的父母,黎小堅(左),
卓超英(右)。
另一名樂評人David Moran形容陳必先的整場音樂會都十分鏗鏘有力,還把陳必先演奏的每首曲目都點評了一番,連開始演奏布列茲的第三奏鳴曲之前,陳必先提醒聽眾,要對奇怪的事感到高興,都記了一筆。
現年已68歲的陳必先,在鋼琴前的坐姿已有點佝僂,但她彈奏時的十指流暢飛舞,面部表情的專注投入,彈奏的水準卻一如既往。演奏會後在休息室外,包括新英格蘭音樂學院前校長,許多人都是傑出音樂家,都排著隊等著和她敘舊。青年鋼琴家黎卓宇的父母也專程出席,表達他們對音樂家的尊重。
中華表演藝術基金會接下來的音樂會,將是預定於331日晚8點在新英格蘭音樂學院喬丹廳演出的于翔、徐鴻音樂會。(圖片已於2月1日發表)
              
陳必先(中)與姐姐陳碧瑤,姊夫劉世均。(周菊子攝

星期五, 2月 09, 2018

大波士頓台商春茗 不忘捐款賑濟花蓮災民

駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪、雲雯蓁夫婦(右五,四)與部分出席商家合影。前排右起,經文處副處長陳銘俊,游勝雄,蔡明機,蔣宗壬,史美芳,黎煥忠,教育組組長陳幗珍,外交部王麗芬。右一為新聞祖父組長趙昌倫,右二為僑教中心主任歐宏偉。(周菊子攝)
駐波士頓經文處處長賴銘琪鼓勵台商多交流。(周菊子攝)
               (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導)駐波士頓台北經濟文化辦事處28日在帝苑大酒樓舉辦第二屆台商年終交流茶會,鼓勵台商交流,互助,踴躍參加訂四月舉辦的台灣五加二產業,新南向及台北經濟展望研討會,六月將有200多台商來參加的北美生技產業展( BIO)           
         由於臺灣花蓮在二月六日才剛發生嚴重震災,已有12人死亡,5人失聯,276人受傷。出席台商們在活動開場前先沉默致意一分鐘。會上並有林朝仲代表Eink捐款3000元,游勝雄捐款500元賑濟災民。
Eink全球金融項目處長林朝仲(左)代表該公司捐款3000元,賑濟花蓮
震災受難者。駐波士頓經文處處長賴銘琪(右)代表接受。(周菊子攝)
                 波士頓經文處處長賴銘琪在開場致詞中表示,去年118日該處第一次舉辦台商年終交流茶會,效果很好,今年再接再厲,還特地把場地佈置成沒有座位的接待會形式,並要求出席台商每人做三分鐘自我介紹,宣傳產品,藉機徵才,藉以鼓勵出席台商們在會場多走動,認識朋友,開發商機。
             賴銘琪透露,大波士頓地區,今年將有兩大商務活動,一為四月十三日,經文處和布蘭岱斯大學(Brendies)合作,舉辦台灣五加二產業,新南向及台北經濟展望研討會,屆時經濟部國外攬才團將配合來訪,舉辦覽才活動,本地有徵才需要的廠商,歡迎屆時一併展示。此一業務將由經文處林美呈副組長負責。
Terason創辦人史美芳(左)鼓勵台商做醫療設備。Infotree董事長楊義煌
回應軟體應用仍然很廣。(周菊子攝)
             六月四日至七日,則是生物科技創新組織(BIO)的國際會議回到波士頓舉行,將有來自70多個國家的16,000多名專業人才,以及1800家廠商出席。台灣也會有200多人組團來參加,希望本地台商屆時能協助接待。這活動將由經文處副處長陳銘俊負責。
             賴銘琪還在會上說明,去年台灣是美國第十大貿易夥伴,美國是台灣第六大貿易夥伴,兩國雙邊貿易達660億美元,臺灣不但為美國創造了32萬個就業機會,台商在麻州的投資也高達八億五千萬元,經文處秉持服務精神,希望台商在麻州做生意時,不必客氣,有問題都可以找經文處幫忙。
抽獎環節,波克萊台商會前會長蘇鴻昌(左)抽中Eink的獎品。
林朝仲代表送出。(周菊子攝)
               駐紐約的駐美投資貿易服務處主任孫良輔和秘書侯穎蓁當晚特地出席,拜會大波士頓台商。孫良輔表示,波士頓的經濟組去年一月一日裁撤,納入紐約的共九州轄區。由於之前他在芝加哥待了三年,對美中地區十州商務也很熟悉,將來和這19州有關的商務,他都可竭盡所能地協助台商。
               孫良輔指出,今年六月還有另一個大活動,是六月廿至廿五日,將有一個規模最大,名叫”Select USA的台灣投資美國論壇,預定在華府舉行。去年有84家廠商,約130140名成員參加,歡迎波士頓台商也去參加,一訂會有收穫。
張宣業律師(左)和高平(Kopin)公司執行副總裁曹伯禹(右)談技術
有共同語言。(周菊子攝)
駐美投資貿易服務處主任孫良輔(左)和秘書侯穎蓁(右)從紐約趕來。
(周菊子攝)
               28日晚的出席台商,背景十分多元,生技方面有做癌症治療的Pinteon Therapeutics創辦人魏碩,剛和生醫巨頭Shire簽署協議的AB Sciences首席科學家李政欣,做人工水晶體等醫療設備的應用奈米醫材董事長樂毅宏,提供電子病歷服務的U Ark創辦人陳立洋。半導體領域有創辦Terason超音波醫療設備的史美芳,主業務為微型顯示的上市公司高平(Kopin)執行副總裁曹伯禹,元太科技麾下已電泳製作電子紙等產品的Eink全球金融項目處長林朝仲,以及目前是執業律師,但手上持有指紋辨識硬體設計專利,以及另一軟體專利的張宣業。做軟體的InfoTree董事長楊義煌,創辦Musicpainter,音樂遊戲產品已在安卓市場上出售的李務熙。做房地產的有曾經擁有七家餐廳,現在有七座商場的波克萊台商會顧問游勝雄,做房地產經紀的新英格蘭台灣商會會長歐陽露,做建材採購,一年處理7000個貨櫃的廖生財,有過許多創業經驗的黎煥忠,在做教育領域創業的波克萊談灣商會會長楊羅東,做保險理財的波克萊台灣商會前會長蘇鴻昌等等。                                    波士頓僑務委員蔣宗壬,波士頓臺灣人生物科技協會會長李以如,紐英崙玉山科技協會會長宋晶晶等人,也都在會上做了自我介紹。(圖片已於稍早發表)
經文處新聞組父祖長趙昌倫(左)看好李務熙(右)研發的音樂類產品。
(周菊子攝)
              

波克萊台灣商會會長楊羅東(左起),顧問游勝雄,前會長蘇鴻昌
連袂出席。(周菊子攝)
左起,歐宏偉,曹伯禹,波士頓經文處處長賴銘琪,林朝仲,
張宣業,趙昌倫。(周菊子攝)
左起,新英格蘭玉山科協宋晶晶,陳立洋,聯邦政府公平事務處處長
安豐貴,經文處副處長陳銘俊,新英格蘭台商會會長歐陽露。(周菊子攝)
出席台商。(周菊子攝)
出席台商,左起,應用奈米醫材董事長樂毅宏,InfoTree楊義煌,
黎煥忠。(周菊子攝)

New residential units in Mattapan, Jamaica Plain and South Boston approved at February Board meeting

New residential units in Mattapan, Jamaica Plain and South Boston approved at February Board meeting
Projects to yield 1,000 residential units, 379 of which will be affordable
Boston – Friday, February 9, 2018 - The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board of Directors approved four new development projects and four Notices of Project Change at the February Board meeting. The projects represent a combined investment of $1.1 billion and will generate 1,000 residential units, of which 379 will be designated as affordable units. Thursday’s approvals include Phase I of the redevelopment of Suffolk Downs, 520,000 square feet of office space, which once complete will bring 2,500 permanent jobs to East Boston.

The 1,000 new residential units that span across the City build on the significant progress the City of Boston continues to make to meet Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s goal of creating 53,000 new units of housing by 2030. Recommitting to making affordable homes a reality to support a strong middle class, Mayor Walsh announced his intention to increase the City’s targets for low-income homes, moderate-income homes, senior housing, and overall units during his inaugural address on January 1, 2018.

Development Projects

Phase I of Suffolk Downs redevelopment moves forward, bringing 520,000 square feet of office space to East Boston

Live: 1.4 acres of open space, 2,500 square foot community space in building/plaza
Work: 2,500 office jobs, 400 construction jobs
Connect: 100 low-emission parking spaces, 19-dock bikeshare station
Size: 520,000 square feet

Suffolk Downs Phase I represents a 1,092,655 square-foot portion of the larger 4,756,315 square foot parcel known as Suffolk Downs. Phase I includes 520,000 square feet of office space, in two approximately 260,000 square foot buildings, with supporting corporate space on the ground floor. Both buildings will be approximately 124 feet tall, and will include terraced outdoor spaces with a landscaped, open-air walkway between the two buildings. The two buildings will share approximately 500 parking spaces. Approximately 12 acres of existing open space will remain as-is, and approximately 1.4 acres of new open space will be developed, including pedestrian access to the adjacent Suffolk Downs MBTA Blue Line station.

The buildings will be designed with energy conservation measures to achieve an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 44 compared to 59 for conventional buildings, resulting in an approximate 24 percent energy usage savings and an approximate 22 percent reduction in stationary source greenhouse gas emissions. The project will integrate the stormwater management system into the open space network, to address potential increases in storm intensity due to anticipated climate change, in accordance with recent Boston Water and Sewer Commission guidance.

The project will include approximately 2,500 square feet of community space for use by the East Boston community, as well as a historical display commemorating the history of Suffolk Downs.

To increase safety at the vehicular entrance to the site, the site entrance at Route 1A and Tomasello Drive (a private onsite drive) will be improved to physically deter illegal left turns from the site onto Route 1A headed southbound, through construction of a barrier/extension of the existing Route 1A median, in partnership with MassDOT.

The project will result in a payment of nearly $3.5M in linkage funds for the Neighborhood Housing Trust, and nearly $700,000 for the Neighborhood Jobs Trust, to create affordable housing and workforce development opportunities.

559 housing units move forward in Jamaica Plain, including preservation of 199 income restricted units

Live: 559 housing units, preservation of 199 affordable housing units, 145 new affordable housing units, transit oriented
Work: 364 construction jobs, 15 permanent operations, management and maintenance staff jobs
Connect: 260,000 square feet of site improvements, new pedestrian and bicycle path, central connecting green, play area, accessible connections
Size: 320,000 square feet

The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) issued a request for proposals for the 125 Amory Street property in July 2015 in an effort to preserve the existing 199 units at 125 Amory Street, and provide new housing on the adjacent vacant land. The project, the result of a partnership between the Community Builders, Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (JPNDC), and Urban Edge, will preserve the 199 existing affordable units, and build 145 new affordable units and 215 market rate units.

125 Amory Street is an approximately six acre site owned by the BHA. The renovation portion of the preservation of the existing Amory Street Apartments, including new windows, high-efficiency mechanical systems, accessibility improvements, reprogrammed and improved common spaces for 4 residents, facade repairs, and interior unit upgrades. Existing additions to the building will be demolished, and improvements will be made for parking and open space around the site. The building will include up to 209 units of affordable senior housing, including an additional ten units that will be constructed in areas currently used by the BHA, which will be relocated offsite. Common program spaces will be upgraded within the building, and residential parking will be re-organized with replacement spaces adjacent to the building.

The project includes construction of three new residential buildings totaling approximately 308,950 square feet. Building A will be a six story building over parking with approximately 147 rental apartments, including approximately 37 apartments affordable to households earning up to 70 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Approximately 25 percent of the units will be two-bedroom or larger units sized for families. The building will include approximately 57 below grade parking spaces. Building B will be a six story building over parking with approximately 140 rental apartments, including approximately 35 apartments affordable to households earning up to 70 percent of the AMI. Approximately 25 percent of the units will be two-bedroom or larger units sized for families. The building will include approximately 58 below-grade parking spaces. Building C will be a four and five story building with approximately 62 affordable rental apartments, with approximately 76 percent sized for families. At least eight units will be set aside for residents earning under 30 percent of the AMI, with the remainder for residents up to 60 percent of the AMI.

Mixed-use, mixed-income residential and commercial complex will bring economic activity to Mattapan Square

Live: 144 new transit-oriented housing units, 69 affordable units, nine homeownership family units
Work: 392 job opportunities, 233 construction jobs, four full and 10 part-time property management jobs, 25 commercial/retail jobs
Connect: 10,000 square feet of commercial space, 2,000 square feet of community space, public outdoor space, new pedestrian plaza, mix of destination and neighborhood retail, connection to the Neponset River Greenway
Size: 166,750 square feet

The Mattapan Station Project will create a vibrant, mixed-use, mixed-income transit-oriented development project that will serve as a catalyst for future investment and development in the Mattapan neighborhood. The project will be constructed on an existing parking lot located at the Mattapan MBTA Station.

The project will create 135 units of rental housing, approximately 10,000 square feet of commercial space and an approximately 2,000 square foot community room to be made available to residents and members of the community. Phase I includes 70 sub-grade parking spaces intended for use by the residents, along with approximately 8 on-street parking spaces to support the commercial space on River Street, and a 50-space at-grade parking lot intended to be operated by the MBTA on a fee-per-use basis. Phase II consists of 9 condominium units. In addition, the project includes new sidewalks and a dedicated bike lane linking to the Neponset River Greenway.

51 percent of the total housing units will be affordable, including 54 units to households earning 60 percent of AMI or less, seven units affordable to households earning 50 percent of AMI or less, and eight units affordable to households earning 30 percent of AMI or less.

457-469A West Broadway approval to bring 44 residential rental units to South Boston

Live: 44 housing units, 38 market rate units, six affordable units, two ADA accessible units
Work: 40 construction jobs, $19.5 million investment, future job opportunities in commercial/retail spaces
Connect: $80,000 in community benefits, transportation infrastructure improvements, non-profit grant application funding
Size: 65,282 square feet

457-469A West Broadway will construct a five story, 65,282 gross square-foot, mixed-use development in South Boston. The building will contain 44 residential rental units, a 13,500 square foot commercial space and garage parking for approximately 66 spaces with vehicular access via Silver Street. The proposal will demolish three existing and underutilized structures.

The residential units will include a mix of eight one-bedroom units and 36 two-bedroom units. Six inclusionary development policy units will be made affordable to households earning not more than 70 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).

The commercial space has the ability to be divided into multiple spaces and uses. The below-grade garage parking also includes two spaces for handicapped vans, bicycle storage, a resident’s gym, a community room and trash recycling. The rooftop consists of common space, private decks and a dog walking area.

Notices of Project Change (NPC)

Readville Yard 5 in Hyde Park moves forward with project updates

Work: 100 construction and 300 permanent jobs near public transit
Connect: Transform former railyard into a vibrant neighborhood “maker” space for creative and manufacturing uses, improve environmental conditions on a site that has been closed off from the public, new multi-use path to improve pedestrian realm
Size: 249,845 square feet

The Readville Yard 5 Industrial Development is located on a 21 acre parcel at 8 Industrial Drive in Hyde Park. For over 100 years the project site was used for railroad maintenance, passage, and materials storage. In 1987, the site was acquired by the MBTA and at present, the site is vacant except for the occasional storage of railroad equipment and material. In 2011, the MBTA completed an extensive site remediation for environmental contamination that has prepared the location for select public uses. The Readville Yard 5 Industrial Development will further improve the environmental conditions of the site and will create public pedestrian access, which has been closed off to the public for over a century.

The project, originally approved in 2014, has been revised with an approximately 84,090 square foot reduction in the total gross floor area by decreasing the project size from six to five buildings, and decreasing the size of one of the remaining buildings. The proposed project now includes leasing four acres of the site to National Grid as a service center for natural gas repairs for customers of the City of Boston, and five buildings totaling 249,845 square feet.

Stavis Seafood project NPC to increase ground floor area, decrease overall building footprints

Work: Seafood processing facilities and light industrial/office space, water-dependent industrial and accessory uses
Connect: 56 bike parking spaces, interior and exterior bike parking with employee cyclist amenity space
Size: 10,360 square feet

The Stavis Seafoods Development is located on a portion of Parcel M-1 within the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park (RLFMP) on land that is subject to a long term ground lease by and between the BPDA and the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport), commonly referred to as the Massport Marine Terminal (MMT). The project site is comprised of approximately 7.2 acres.

This fourth NPC for the Stavis project proposes updates including physically separating the northern and southern portions of the building proposed in the third NPC into two stand-alone buildings to be built in phases, with an accompanying reduction in the square footage of the northern portion from 91,000 square feet to approximately 65,790 square feet, and an increase in square footage of the southern portion from 110,000 square feet to approximately 145,570 square feet. The northern building will be developed as a one-story seafood-related building anticipated to be used by Stavis Seafoods. Consistent with the entire project, the other building, on the southern portion of the site, is anticipated to be developed as a three-story building with uses that are fully-compliant with the ground lease by and between EDIC and Massport, and Chapter 91.

The proposed updates will increase the aggregate gross floor area of the project buildings from 201,000 square feet to 211,360 square feet, but will decrease the overall building footprints from the original 130,000 square feet to approximately 115,270 square feet.

Fan Pier NPC & Second PDA Amendment moves forward to increase residential units for South Boston Waterfront

Live: 155-170 condominium units
Work: 300,000 square feet of office space, 13,000 square feet of retail space
Connect: New open space located at Parcel E, balance of public green
Size: 562,214 square feet

The Fan Pier Development project is a multi-phase, mixed-use development located on Boston’s Fan Pier that includes nine buildings on lettered Parcels A through J (there is no Parcel G). The Second Amendment and corresponding NPC relate to the last remaining undeveloped parcels of the Fan Pier Development, Parcel E and Parcel H, which are yet to be developed above-ground.

This proposed Second Amendment to Planned Development Area (PDA) No. 54 requests the elimination of the current requirement in the Original Development Plan that "at least one of the parcels on which hotel use is permitted shall be developed in whole or in part as a hotel.” The two parcels in the Fan Pier Development on which hotel use is permitted remain undeveloped, Parcels E and H. Parcel H is the parcel where the hotel was proposed to be built. The elimination of the hotel requirement from the original development plan will allow Parcel H to be dedicated to residential use with ground and second-floor facilities of public accommodation, including civic/cultural space.

This NPC relates the intent to develop Parcel E as an all office building with ground floor retail and other facilities of public accommodation, and with no laboratory space. This updated program for Parcel E is already allowed by the original development plan, but reflects an update to the uses for Parcel E last considered under Article 80B of the City of Boston Zoning Code, governing impact review.

Old Colony Phase 3 approval to bring 135 affordable units to South Boston

Live: 301 affordable units, Boston Housing Authority redevelopment, 1:1 replacement with 51 additional units
Work: 400 construction jobs, education and job readiness with Tierney Learning Center, transit-oriented access to jobs
Connect: Tierney Learning Center to serve children, youth and adults with access to Head Start, Boys & Girls Club, ESL, nutrition, career training, summer programs, and computer learning programs
Size: 347,000 square feet

The Old Colony Phase 3 site is 1.89 acres located between Dorchester Street and Patterson Way in South Boston. The Boston Housing Authority (BHA) will demolish the existing buildings and construct an affordable housing residential project on the same site, where existing residents will be able to return to live. In this phase, the BHA plans to construct an approximately 163,000 square foot development comprised of 135 one, two, three and four-bedroom residential units in two four-story elevator buildings. The buildings will have accessory property management and maintenance space located on the first floor. Parking is available on the adjacent public streets and other amenities will include laundry rooms, bicycle storage, trash/recycling areas, and the Tierney Learning Center. The proposed project will generate over 100 construction-period jobs as well as several new on-site property management and maintenance positions.

麻州政府有多麼多元化? 媒體想查 政府擰頭


      (Boston Orange 周菊子整理報導)麻州政府的人事聘用族裔分佈資料,到底可不可以公開? 麻州公共紀錄部說可以,麻州州長辦公室以及數個半官方機構說不行,認為那會影響員工的個人隱私及人身安全。
      波士頓環球報28日發表了一篇長得1500字的文章,聲稱如果州長辦公室還不同意提供資料,就提告。
      波士頓環球報的焦點調查小組想要了解,有90,000多名員工的麻州政府,在人員聘僱上到底是否多元化,因此發函索取州政府及半官方政府機構員工的族裔,薪資,人名等等資訊。
      在麻州公共紀錄部門說資料可以公開後,州政府官員有10天時間來提供資料,或者要求公共紀錄部門主管重新考慮其決定。
      全國有色人種前進協會(The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People)會長Tanisha M. Sullivan表示,透明非常重要,獲取未處理過的數據並分析,對所有人都是好事。
麻州主計長(Comptroller)Thomas G Shack III卻仍然猶豫。州長貝克的一名女發言人也表示,一旦公佈可以辨識個人的資料,州府員工的身分被盜及人身安全危險度都可能增加。是否公布資訊他們還沒做最後決定,但他們採取的是不要讓任何人受傷害的方式。
波士頓環球報最初是根據州政府的公共紀錄法索取資料,藉以撰寫麻州政府有權勢職位普遍不見黑人或其他有色人種的故事。
在麻州主計長Shack和貝克政府都以公共安全,恐怖主義及其他顧慮等危險因素為由,不肯提供有關州府員工族毅等詳細資訊後,波士頓環球報像公共紀錄部門上訴,週一(25)時,該部門主管Rebecca SMurray以書面否決了扣押資訊的理由。
      曾任波士頓市議員的查李楊西(Charles C. Yancey )也表示不明白辨識員工是白人,黑人,拉丁裔或亞裔的數據,會怎麼樣讓員工們遭遇更多的身分被竊,恐怖主義或其他傷害。
      楊西在競選波士頓市長時,收到了波士頓市政府30年的員工數據,包括族裔,任用,加薪,升級等資訊。他沒有發現有任何人因為這些資訊的公開而受到傷害。
      楊西表示,如果真想確定拿到的是正確資訊,個人細節很重要,譬如沒有員工姓名,一份分析就可能少算或重複計算,也不可能知道,同一名員工同時在另一個部門領薪水。

      2016年時,波士頓環球報也贏過幾乎一樣的個案,並逼使波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin J. Walsh)公開了同樣資料。
      波士頓環球報焦點小組在做種族歧視系列報導時,就重點指出,麻州企業,公家機關及政治權力圈都不構多元化,共有11人的國會議員,全是白人,州長貝克及其他五名民選官員全是白人,共有9人的州長內閣只有一名有色人種。主計長的6人顧問委員會也全部是白人。
      在麻州政府內職位最高的亞裔是企業發展署助理署長范文南(Nam Pham),麻州公共衛生部助理卿蔡維衡(Daniel Tsai),麻州難民移民服務署署長張瑪麗(Mary Troung)。麻州財政長及麻州總檢察長辦公室各有一名副座是亞裔。
      波士頓市政府自從陳毓禮退休卸任採購部主管,馬丁華殊上任市長後,新波士頓人辦公室主任從陳清音換成拉丁裔的Aljandra St. Guillen,市長幕僚長高丹尼(Daniel Koh)離職參選聯邦眾議員後,主管職位上現在只有波士頓公校總監張欽棠一人。
      昆士市政府除了華人亞裔社區已熟悉的昆士市長助理邱潔芳之外,在市政府內任職的亞裔也屈指可數。
      摩頓市市政府自從市長助理于艷離職加入創投公司後,現在大體上仍是舉目不見亞裔。

BCNC Pao Arts Center “Chinatown Presents” Series Highlights Asian Artistic Voices

BCNC Pao Arts Center
“Chinatown Presents” Series Highlights Asian Artistic Voices

 
Boston, MA—From a world music trio performance to literary karaoke, Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC)’s Pao Arts Center is thrilled to announce the launch of its performance series, Chinatown Presents. This exciting new series brings a span of performative arts to Chinatown. Through partnerships with artists and arts organizations, the Pao Arts Center amplifies voices of New England-based Asian and Asian American artists by giving them a space to share their work with the public. See the upcoming events in the Chinatown Presents series below:

No-No Boy—A Multimedia Concert, Saturday, February 10th, 6:00-8:00pm: National touring musicians and Brown University doctoral students Julian Saporiti & Erin Aoyama bring their multimedia concertNo-No Boy to Boston. Taking inspiration from interviews with World War II Japanese incarceration camp survivors and his own family’s history living through the Vietnam War, Saporiti has transformed his doctoral research into folk songs in an effort to bring these stories to a broader audience.

Boston Asian American Film Festival (BAAFF) – March 1st, April 5th, May 4th, 6:30-8:30pm: Boston Asian American Film Festival (BAAFF) curates a series of documentary films that showcase both contemporary and historic Asian American experiences.

Meet the Authors—Anelise Chen and Q.M. Zhang, Friday, March 23rd, 6:30-8:00pm: Kaya Press authors Anelise Chen and Q.M. Zhang come together to discuss trauma, memory and the writing.  Both authors push the boundaries of genres with their hybrid and experimental texts that resist categorization.

Voci Angelica Trio, Saturday, April 29th, 3:00-4:30pm: Come experience the Voci Angelica Trio, an international band with members hailing from three continents. Straddling the genres of world folk and classical music, the trio creates an ambitious blend of cultures, reinvigorating traditional songs for contemporary audiences. All ages welcome for this interactive participatory concert.
Kundiman Literaoke Night, Friday, May 11th, 6:30-8:00pm: When literature and karaoke collide, welcome to Literaoke! Come get lit with Kundiman—a nonprofit organization dedicated to nurturing generations of writers and readers of Asian American literature—as they host a night of writers of color who will take the stage to sing their favorite hits, then read some of their writing. Join us for a night of music, writing, & mic-drops!
The Chinatown Presents series is generously supported by Eleanor and Frank Pao. Suggested donation of $10 for all performances. See www.bcnc.net/pao for more information and registration.