BPDA awards tentative designation to Related Beal and DREAM Development to redevelop parking lots into 402 housing units

BOSTON - April 11, 2024 - The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board of Directors today awarded tentative designation to Related Beal and DREAM Development for the redevelopment of the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) Lots located in Roxbury into 402 housing units. This designation is in direct response to the City’s 2022 land audit, which identified this site as a high-priority opportunity site for community planning and redevelopment. The new mixed-use development will help address the City’s most urgent needs including affordable housing, community development, and climate resilience. "This critical designation moves us forward to turn parking lots into housing that addresses residents' needs," said Mayor Wu. "I'm grateful to our City teams for their cross-departmental collaboration to take stock of all of our City-owned properties and ensuring that our redevelopment efforts truly advance public land for public good. We look forward to partnering closely with Related Beal and DREAM Development to ensure the community's vision for this critical development is realized." “We were very fortunate to receive two great proposals for the Boston Water and Sewer Commission Lots, which made for a competitive process, and I’m grateful to both teams for their participation. I’m excited to move forward with this designation for such a large amount of land in our City, with a proposal that will add significantly to our housing stock, and genuinely advance this disposition of public land for public good” said Chief of Planning Arthur Jemison. “Ensuring that this land is a public benefit for the future responds to years of engagement with the community through the Roxbury Strategic Master Plan and PLAN: Nubian Square. I’d like to thank our staff for helping make the community’s vision here become a reality.” "We look forward to partnering with DREAM Development and Related Beal, alongside the Roxbury community, to transform the Boston Water and Sewer parking lots into much needed housing and community assets,” said Housing Chief Sheila Dillon. “This project will deliver a variety of housing types, including rental, homeownership and homes for our older adults. However, this initiative is more than just a housing solution; it's a commitment to undoing the damage of urban renewal, fostering inclusive growth and contributing to a resilient, thriving community." The five parking lots cover 17 parcels in Roxbury between Melnea Cass Boulevard, Harrison Avenue, and Washington Street. The Related Beal and DREAM Development proposal would convert those parking lots into 402 residential units, 89 percent of which would be income-restricted rental and homeownership opportunities. The proposal includes 79 homeownership units, 229 rental units, and 94 senior housing units. In addition to housing, the team intends to create wealth building programs that would help renters become first-time homebuyers. The final phase of the project will include homeownership units, with the goal of making them available to residents who live in the rental units built in earlier phases after generating equity through said wealth-building programs. This development would also include an acre of new green space, ground floor spaces including retail, dining, community services, and incubator and startup spaces. The project will be designed as LEED Platinum, with all electric buildings, and with elevated floors to protect against flooding. “We are grateful to the City of Boston, BPDA, and the Mayor’s Office of Housing for this incredible opportunity to bring affordable housing, wealth generation, workforce development and open space to Roxbury’s Nubian Square,” said President of Related Beal Kimberly Sherman Stamler, and Managing Principal for DREAM Development Gregory Minott. “Together as partners, Related Beal and DREAM are excited to work closely with the city, local stakeholders, and the Roxbury community to create a development that provides new housing opportunities and upholds the character and legacy of this historic neighborhood.” The redevelopment of the property will comply with the Roxbury Strategic Master Plan RSMP, a neighborhood-wide planning strategic framework to guide change and economic growth in Roxbury, as well as PLAN: Nubian Square (2019) which is an implementation plan to mobilize development on publicly owned parcels in Roxbury’s Nubian Square. PLAN: Nubian Square’s planning objectives include job creation for the community, development of diverse and affordable housing options, creation of resilient and sustainable design, and commitment to diversity and inclusion in the development process. BPDA staff held five community meetings to inform the draft of the RFP to ensure that this project is community-led development in action. From those engagements, and in concert with the Roxbury Strategic Master Plan and PLAN: Nubian Square, the development objectives for this RFP included: equitable and affordable housing and wealth creation, bolstering of community infrastructure such as small business development, daycares, laundromats, etc, addressing urban heat island effect, and development without displacement. In line with the BPDA’s RFP standards, the selected development team was required to submit a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion plan and outline commitments to including Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBEs) in all aspects of their development process. The redevelopment at this site has also been identified as a potential recipient of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds through the Mayor’s Office of Housing

BPDA implements zoning recommendations from PLAN: Mattapan, advances largest office-to-residential conversion project to create 95 units Downtown Agency takes real estate actions to preserve artist space, redevelop vacant land into housing

BOSTON - April 11, 2024 - The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board of Directors Thursday approved new Squares + Streets zoning districts in Mattapan, as well as the tentative designation of a team to redevelop the Boston Water and Sewer Commission Lots. The Board also approved five new development projects representing approximately 1.9 million square feet (SF). The new development projects will create 254 residential units, 61 of these units are designated income-restricted, and will support approximately 1,651 construction jobs and 4,552 permanent jobs. These projects will make Boston a more resilient, affordable, and equitable city.  Planning & Zoning BPDA approves Squares + Streets districts in Mattapan The BPDA Board approved a petition to the Zoning Commission to amend the zoning code to map Squares + Streets districts in Mattapan. Mattapan is the first neighborhood in the City where Squares + Streets zoning districts will be mapped. This new zoning in Mattapan is the implementation of recommendations from PLAN: Mattapan, and additional engagement with the community over the last several months. Squares + Streets Zoning Districts vary in their use allowances, dimensional regulations, and density. The districts in Mattapan are mapped to respond to existing context and goals identified in PLAN: Mattapan. The geographic areas proposed to be amended, which provide unique and different amenities and resources to the Mattapan community, include Mattapan Square, Blue Hill Avenue, the Morton Street Commuter Rail Station, and the intersection of Cummins Highway and Greenfield Street.  Real Estate BPDA awards tentative designation to Related Beal and DREAM Development for the redevelopment of the Boston Water & Sewer Commission Lots The BPDA Board of Directors awarded tentative designation to Related Beal and DREAM Development for the redevelopment of the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) Lots located in Roxbury. This designation is in direct response to the City’s 2022 land audit in which this site was identified as a high-priority opportunity site for community planning and redevelopment. This property has the potential to become a mixed-use development that will address the City’s most urgent needs including affordable housing, community development, and climate resilience. [Read more] BPDA acquires 290 North Beacon Street to be used as a permanently affordable arts & culture space in Allston-Brighton The BPDA Board approved a demonstration project plan that will allow the agency to formally acquire the site at 290 North Beacon from the owner, IQHQ, to be redeveloped for permanently affordable arts and culture space and other compatible uses. This is as a result of the redevelopment of a nearby site by IQHQ, 155 North Beacon Street, into life science space. The sale of the 290 North Beacon Street property to the BPDA for a negligible price is a community benefit of that redevelopment. 155 North Beacon Street was previously a rehearsal and recording space for musicians within the Greater Boston area. The developer of 155 North Beacon Street, IQHQ, has committed to transferring 290 North Beacon Street to the BPDA to mitigate against the widespread displacement of artists from the neighborhood.  BPDA awards final designation for the redevelopment of 20 and 22 Drydock Avenue  The BPDA Board of Directors today awarded final designation status to 22 Drydock, LLC: a joint venture between Related Beal, Boston Real Estate Investment Fund (BREIF) and Kavanaugh Advisory Group to redevelop the land at 20 and 22 Drydock Avenue in the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park (RLFMP) into a new life science space with millions of dollars in public benefits. Demolition of the previous structures on site has already been completed and the project is expected to break ground in the next few months. The project consists of two individual parcels in the RLFMP, which were formerly occupied by offices of the Economic Development Industrial Corporation of Boston, as well as marine industrial tenants, and will be combined into one parcel with a new seven-story research laboratory and office building. The ground floor will include a state-of-the-art laboratory and classroom space for the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute. The space will serve as a satellite location for marine research, facilitate teaching opportunities, and provide access to local students and community groups. By providing this space, this project supports the RLFMP’s mission to provide a reserve for marine industrial activity. The primarily life science and research and development uses of this site are also consistent with a goal of the RLFMP Master Plan Update to encourage new economic uses. Public benefits from this project include more than $3 million in Linkage funding, with more than $2.8 million going toward affordable housing and more than $525,000 toward jobs training. Like all developers of BPDA-owned parcels in the City of Boston, the selected development team is required to meet the BPDA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion evaluation criterion, and outline commitments to including Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBEs) in all aspects of their development process. Of the current team members, approximately 60 percent are M/WBE firms. The project is also working with In Order Business Development Solutions to continue its Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives throughout construction. Development Projects 2 Hillsboro Street project will bring new income-restricted artist housing to Upham’s Corner Live: 21 income-restricted units, 18 artist live/work homeownership units Work: Shared workspace, exhibit space, approximately 21 construction jobs Connect: Close proximity to public transportation, improved public realm  Sustain: Passive House, LEED certified  This project will convert what is currently vacant land into 21 new income-restricted homeownership units in the Upham’s Corner neighborhood of Dorchester, 18 of which will be specifically designated for artists as live/work units. These will be a mix of studios, one-, two-, and three-bedrooms. Upham’s Corner is identified as an Arts and Innovation District where economic development is anchored by cultural uses. Artist housing, venues for the creative economy, and public realm enhancement are necessary to fulfill this vision, in part through strong public-private partnerships. The project at 2 Hillsboro Street fulfills these objectives by creating housing for artists in the neighborhood, and therefore creating a hub for the creative economy, along with the nearby Humphreys Street Studios, which the Arts and Innovation District seeks to achieve. 85 Devonshire Street project will convert an office building to 95 new homes in Downtown Boston Live: 95 units, 19 income-restricted units Work: Approximately 104 construction jobs Connect: Close proximity to public transit Sustain: All electric, adaptive reuse of existing building  What is currently an 11-story office building in Downtown Boston will be converted into housing, retaining the ground floor retail space. The building will include 95 units, 19 of which will be income-restricted. In order to encourage new use of underutilized office space and respond to the City’s housing crisis, the Downtown Conversion Program offers a tax abatement and a streamlined approval process to applicants who meet affordability and sustainability requirements. This project will advance key recommendations of both the 2022 Downtown Revitalization Report and PLAN: Downtown. This is the second conversion that has been approved by the BPDA Board since the program launched in the fall of 2023. 115-121 Boston Street project to bring new housing to Dorchester Live: 90 residential units, 15 income-restricted units Work: Ground floor retail space, approximately 99 construction jobs Connect: Bike parking, close proximity to public transit, subsidized MBTA passes, support for carpooling program Sustain: LEED Gold, rooftop solar panels Located in Dorchester, this project will build a new five-story, mixed-use development including 90 compact living units, 15 of which will be income-restricted. These will be a mix of studios, one-, and two-bedroom units. The building will offer amenities for residents including a meeting and recreation room and a fitness center on the ground floor. This project will improve the surrounding public realm including a new public park, better connections for pedestrians, and more than 20 new trees on site. In support of the City’s bikeshare program, this project will contribute $24,750 to the Boston Transportation Department. The project will also contribute $50,000 to the Parks and Recreation Department to go towards the upkeep of nearby parks, specifically Joe Moakley Park. In addition, this project will also make a  $7,500 contribution to the Polish Club and a $7,500 contribution to the Boston Collegiate Charter School. Project at 749-759 Dudley Street and 2 Virginia Street will build new housing in Dorchester Live: 48 residential units, six income-restricted units Work: Approximately 43 construction jobs, ground floor retail space Connect: Public realm improvements, close proximity to public transportation This project will replace two commercial buildings with a new mixed-use, multi-family development in Dorchester. The transit-oriented development will provide ground floor retail and 48 residential units, which will be a mix of studios, one-, two-, and three-bedrooms. Of those, six units will be income-restricted.  CORE on the DOT Phase 1b, 505 Dorchester Avenue, 65 Ellery Street, and 75 Ellery Street to build three new commercial, research and development buildings in South Boston Live: $16.7 million in Linkage funding to support affordable housing Work: Retail space, approximately 4,509 permanent jobs created, $3.1 million in Linkage funding to support jobs training, 1,384 construction jobs Connect: More than an acre of community open space, 150 new trees Sustain: Elevating parts of the site to protect against flooding, all electric lab buildings, LEED Gold This project is part of the On the Dot Planned Development Area Master Plan which was approved by the BPDA Board in October of 2023. This phase will construct three new commercial office, research and development, and lab buildings with ground floor retail space and bicycle parking. 505 Dorchester Avenue will be 12 stories; 65 Ellery Street and 75 Ellery Street will each be 13 stories. This project is aligned with PLAN: South Boston Dorchester Avenue and the PLAN: South Boston Dorchester Avenue Transportation Planning Study, as the commercial and lab uses and ground floor retail will activate the neighborhood in this area. PLAN: South Boston Dorchester Avenue established a framework for the area’s evolution from an industrial to a mixed-use neighborhood. The project will also include more than an acre of public open space, as well as a new street network, transportation improvements, and pedestrian safety improvements. This project will provide space for three bikeshare stations on site and contribute more than $390,000 total to the Boston Transportation Department in support of the bikeshare program. The project will contribute $16.7 million in Linkage funding to support affordable housing and $3.1 million in Linkage funding to support jobs training. In addition to these projects, the board approved: An update to a previously approved project at the Stanhope Hotel to add another floor to the building. An update to a previously approved project at 267 Old Colony Avenue to change the programming from rental units to homeownership units. An update to a previously approved project at 575 Albany Street to change the programming from rental units to homeownership units. The disbursement of $125,000 to the University of Massachusetts Boston’s Department of Urban Planning in support of the 2024 Summer Program Expanding Boston’s Pipeline for Youth of Color in Urban Planning.

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES GRANT FUNDS FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS SERVING BOSTON’S RETURNING CITIZENS

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES GRANT FUNDS FOR NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS SERVING BOSTON’S RETURNING CITIZENS Office of Returning Citizens will be hosting a job fair to support returning citizens throughout the application process for jobs at the City of Boston.

BOSTON - Thursday, April 11, 2024 - Mayor Michelle Wu today announced that applications are now being accepted for the latest round of the Returning Citizen Support (RCS) Mini Grant. This grant is one of the City’s initiatives for Second Chance Month, a national initiative to support the reentry of returning citizens and providing second-chance opportunities for those with criminal records. The RCS grant is a competitive grant with the goal of supporting non-profit organizations that provide reentry support services and programming to individuals who are returning to Boston after being released from federal, state, or county correctional facilities. This year, a total of $80,000 will be awarded to nonprofit organizations providing reentry services and programs to Boston’s returning citizens. Applications are now open and responses are due on Tuesday, May 7, 2024. “Our goal is to support returning citizens to make a smooth transition to thrive in their communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I am grateful for all of the organizations that create and open doors for second-chance opportunities, and we aim to support them in the critical work that they do.” “Providing opportunities for organizations led by and serving formerly incarcerated Boston residents is directly in line with the Mayor’s commitment of creating a Boston that is welcoming to all,” said José F. Massó, Chief of Human Services. “The needs of Boston’s returning citizens currently exceed the available supply; this investment allows us to increase our service capacity and provides opportunities for those navigating the challenges of reentry to be met with compassion and grace.” Every year, the Office of Returning Citizens supports over 3,000 individuals that return to Boston from federal, state and county prisons and jails with the healthy steps to re-enter their communities. Reentry and integration services may include, but are not limited to job training programs, peer mentoring, family reunification, community stability, food assistance, economic independence, and housing stability. Additionally this year, the City of Boston has implemented revisions to the CORI policy, in efforts to improve the hiring process. Policy revisions have been made to ensure that the language is clear, and that the City’s Human Resources professionals have received proper training on how to hire people with criminal records. ORC has been developing partnerships with various departments, such as the Parks Department, to provide more opportunities to hire formerly justice-involved individuals. Additionally this month, the Office of Returning Citizens will be hosting a job fair to support returning citizens throughout the application process for jobs at the City of Boston. “As an employer, the City of Boston strives to be a positive example for other employers across the state,” said Chief People Officer Alex Lawrence. “I am glad we have improved the processes and support within our operations to become a more supportive employer for those with criminal records.”  Later this month, the Office of Black Male Advancement will also be hosting a Project Opportunity Resource Fair and CORI Legal Clinic in partnership with the Office of Returning Citizens. Project Opportunity is an initiative that creates equitable opportunities for Boston residents with CORIs. The program connects residents with free legal consultation for sealing or expunging records; has panel discussions to address challenges and solutions for residents with CORIs; connects residents with employment and training resources; connects residents with key resources for well-being; and partners with City departments to meet the needs of residents with CORIs. The Project Opportunity Resource Fair will take place on Saturday, April 27, 2024, 10am-1pm at the Bruce E. Bolling Municipal Building, 2300 Washington St in Roxbury. “The Office of Black Male Advancement strives to improve outcomes and reduce systemic barriers to Black men and boys living in Boston,” said Frank Farrow, Executive Director of The Office of Black Male Advancement. “I am grateful for our continued partnership with the Office of Returning Citizens. During Second Chance Month we will be supporting their efforts to create opportunities and resources for residents with CORIs.”

麻州獲得370萬聯邦經費預防Worcester 及Shrewsbury淹水

 Healey-Driscoll Administration Celebrates $3.7 Million Federal Award to Prevent Flooding in Worcester and Shrewsbury 

Federal grant received for Route 20 and Grafton Street Interchange project, which extends to Flint Pond 

WORCESTER/SHREWSBURY - The Healey-Driscoll administration is celebrating a $3.7 million award from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Route 20 and Grafton Street Interchange Project. The project will provide critical relief for areas of Worcester and Shrewsbury that have long been impacted by severe flooding. The grant was awarded under the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving Transportation (PROTECT) Grant Program, as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and represents 80 percent of the total project’s costs.  

“This award is a gamechanger for Worcester and Shrewsbury. We need to act now on critical transportation infrastructure projects like this, which will provide urgently needed relief for communities impacted by flooding and strengthen resilience,” said Governor Maura Healey. “We are grateful for the support of leaders in Worcester and Shrewsbury our Congressional Delegation, and the Biden-Harris administration for helping us deliver on this project and others that will benefit generations to come.” 

“We're proud to be receiving this grant that will increase road safety and resilience on this busy thoroughfare between Worcester and Shrewsbury,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “City and town leaders were strong partners in helping our administration advance this federal funding application, and we are looking forward to rebuilding the interchange and nearby road area, so this route no longer floods during major storms.” 

“We have appreciated all the help from our congressional delegation in securing federal funding for our grant applications, including for this project which will allow us to rebuild the interchange and install flood relief infrastructure,” said Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We are grateful to our elected and municipal leaders who help us to deliver transportation infrastructure projects, especially this one, where images of the Route 20 interchange during heavy rainstorms show puddles several feet deep and extending hundreds of feet long.”   

The Healey-Driscoll Administration has taken an aggressive approach to competing for federal funding that has been successful in securing nearly $3 billion in federal dollars from BIL, as well as the Inflation Reduction Act, the CHIPS and Science Act and other sources of federal funding, to advance job creation, workforce development, economic competitiveness, climate resiliency, decarbonization and equity in Massachusetts. The administration also has more than $2 billion requested in applications currently pending before federal agencies to fund ongoing projects in communities across the state.   

“This award is an important result of our whole-of-government strategy to maximize the federal funding available to Massachusetts and put federal dollars to work in our communities improving infrastructure, increasing climate resiliency, and creating good paying jobs and equitable economic growth,” said Director of Federal Funds and Infrastructure Quentin Palfrey. “Thank you to President Biden, Secretary Buttigieg and our partners in the Massachusetts congressional delegation for making possible this exciting award.”  

“Our interchange plans including the addition of drainage infrastructure have had strong local support and we are pleased to have won this PROTECT funding as it provides an opportunity to deliver on the vision of this project and its significant benefits to the municipalities involved, the central assachusetts region, and the state as a whole,” said Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.  

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was designed to fund projects exactly like Route 20 and Grafton Street: enhancements that will make our roadways safer, more reliable, and more climate resilient while improving water quality for nearby communities,” said Senator Edward J. Markey. “I am proud to have worked with Senator Warren, Congressman McGovern, Governor Healey, Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt, and state and local officials to secure this funding.”

"With this federal funding, we’re improving our infrastructure, bolstering our resilience, and enhancing our water quality in Worcester and Shrewsbury for generations to come,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “I'm going to keep fighting for federal funding to ensure a more sustainable future alongside the Massachusetts delegation and the Healey-Driscoll administration."  

“Roadway flooding stops commuters from getting to work, kids from getting to school, and emergency vehicles from providing assistance,” said Congressman James P. McGovern. “This investment of $3.7 million in federal funding will allow MassDOT to replace and expand the outdated drainage system for the Route 20 and Grafton St. interchange in Worcester. I know this section of road is prone to flooding, and thanks to the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, passed by House Democrats, overseen by Secretary Buttigieg, and signed into law by President Biden, we got this done.”  

“These funds will bring great relief to the Grafton Street/Route 20 area under the Route 122 overpass which is prone to flooding during storms and poor drainage, impacting residents’ travel,” said Worcester City Manager Eric D. Batista.  “Thank you to our federal and state partners for bringing this project forward and investing in climate resilient infrastructure that will benefit residents for years to come.”  

"Shrewsbury's newly adopted Climate Action and Resiliency Plan notes the need to prepare for the current and coming impacts of climate change including flooding, which happens often along this section of Route 20,” said Shrewsbury Select Board Chair Beth Casavant. “With increased commercial and residential development, this funding will make our community safer by modernizing aging infrastructure to meet the challenges of today's climate. State and local partnerships like this lead to better outcomes for all. "  

The Flood Relief on Route 20, Grafton Street, (Route 122), Interchange to Flint Pond Project presents a powerful opportunity to alleviate flooding, improve water quality, and increase transportation infrastructure climate resilience for a deficient stretch of critical roadway while supporting projected growth in the Central Massachusetts region.   

There is a history of flooding in these areas, which often results in road closures, delays, safety concerns, and vehicle damage. Records show that much of the existing drainage infrastructure was built in the 1930s, predating much of the development currently abutting this portion of the highway, and is unable to sufficiently drain the highly developed watershed. In recent years, flood frequency at the project location has increased, with the Route 20 and Grafton Street Interchange experiencing serious flooding 6 to 10 times a year. Flooding on August 19, 2021, caused several vehicles to become disabled and passengers needed the assistance of First Responders to safely get to dry land.    

Through this project, a dedicated trunk line and numerous new drainage inlets will be installed, including improvements to existing drainage infrastructure. These improvements will increase the ability of the low-lying area to drain during storm events, greatly reducing flooding frequency and duration. A stilling basin will also be added at the outfall location, which includes both existing and proposed outfalls, to reduce the potential for soil erosion at the outfall.   

This project is the result of a robust conversation with the community, analysis by transportation and water resources professionals, and deep engagement by stakeholders. Since 2018, MassDOT has spent approximately $96,000 on flood evaluation and preliminary design.  MassDOT will be spending approximately $700,000 to advance the design to the 100 percent design stage, complete subsurface utility inspection, site-specific survey, and complete state and local environmental permitting.    

The PROTECT program provides $1.4 billion in funding over five years. This program provides funding to ensure surface transportation resilience to natural hazards including climate change, sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters through support of planning activities, resilience improvements, community resilience and evacuation routes, and at-risk coastal infrastructure.  For more information is available here.

波士頓體育會公佈2024春回饋獎助得主

        (Orange Orange 編譯）波士頓體育會 (BAA) 4月9日公佈，今年共有13個團體獲得回饋獎助。

          波士頓體育會發展主任Nicole Juri表示，該會從2023年春推出”回饋獎助 (Gives Back Grant)”以來，分成   3   輪，已共發放將近40萬美元，有40筆獎助發給了32個組織，其中15個收受單位專注於服務波士頓，另有17個機構服務範圍擴及麻州以外地區。

波士頓體育會的   "回饋獎助"   ，每筆金額 5000元到15000元不等。凡是符合下列條件者，都可申領，包括必須是501 (C )3非牟利機構，非政治團體，所辦活動及項目符合波士頓體育會的宗旨及目標，經由體育運動。特別是跑步，推廣健康生活型態等的運動。設址於麻州，並為麻州居民服務的團體。

 

2024春季的波士頓回饋獎助，得獎者有

* Achilles International

* All Dorchester Sports and Leadership

* Boston Lions Track Club

* Boston Road Runners 

* Boston United Track and Cross Country

* EVkids, Inc. 

* Girls on the Run - Greater Boston

* Healthy Kids Running Series

* One Summit, Inc. 

* Rise Above Foundation

* Roxbury Community College – Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center 

* Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England 

* Stride for Stride*

 

過去3年來，除了”回饋獎助”項目之外，波士頓體育會已發出將近40萬元資助本地組織或項目，以擴大實踐該會理念，包括該會和Dimock Center合作，每年舉辦的”邁向健康之路5K賽”，新英格蘭協會美國田徑賽，協助保護及娛樂部在冬天清掃查理士河通道，支持組成波士頓跑步合作的機構。

 

波士頓體育會創辦於1887年，管理現由美國銀行贊助的波士頓馬拉松賽，以及慈善，青年等活動。波士頓馬拉松賽和東京、倫敦、柏林、芝加哥，紐約等地的賽事，都是Abbott世界馬拉松大賽的一部份。

2024年的第128屆波士頓馬拉松賽是和美國銀行合作，將於4月15日舉行。查詢詳情可上網 www.baa.org.

波士頓市長吳弭2025預算46億元 增幅8%來自BPDA納入市政府

波士頓市長吳弭第3個預算早餐會。 (周菊子攝)

             (Boston Orange 周菊子波士頓報導) 在申請調漲商業地產稅，以免必須刪減預算之際，波士頓市提交的2025會計年度預算是46億4千萬元，比去年增加8%，約3億4千4百萬元。

             波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu) 在4月8日 (週一) 把2025預算案遞交給波士頓市議會後，4月10日早上在市府新建的市民館 (Civic Pavillion) 內舉辦”年度預算早餐會”，安排市府各部門首長上台，簡報自己部門的預算案重點。

波士頓市2025會繼年度預算46億元。

             吳弭市長在這預算早餐會中說明，儘管預算數據是增加了8%，但這數據其實有點不切實，因為在波士頓市議會投票通過把波士頓計畫發展局 (BPDA) 轉型為波士頓市政府旗下的一個計劃部門後，BPDA的經費及預算就也納入市府預算，這才有了增幅，要不然的話，預算額會和去年差不多。

波士頓市長吳弭 (Michelle Wu，右四)和部分出席預算早餐會
的市議員們合影。 (周菊子攝)

             吳弭說，她的母語是中文，而中文是一個個的字，其中的家字，既是住家 (Home)，也是家庭 (Family)，在波士頓市暴力犯罪率降至近年新低點，經濟發展趨勢仍佳之際，新年度預算的目標是把波士頓打造成為每一個人的家，一個能滿足所有人基本需求的大家庭。

             波士頓市財務長Ashley Groffenberger也強調，波士頓的負責任預算，奠基於可靠的財務基礎，重視確保波士頓市穩定的可持續投資，而促使年度營運預算得以成長的因素包括，七十多年來第一次的，波士頓市成立了一個新的計劃部門，把波士頓計畫發展局轉移進了市政府；藉由集體議價流程為年薪低於6萬元的市府員工提供更高的加薪幅度等。

             在波士頓市的預算中，警察、消防局編列的預算，依序佔總預算12.3%的4億5490萬元，以及10.3%的3億660萬元，也遠高於其他部門。

波士頓市長吳弭(右二)和編列預算的工作人員合影。(周菊子攝)

公立學校 (BOS)的預算在波士頓市府預算中，向來都佔最大比率，波士頓學校委員會已通過，2025年的預算為15億元。

             波士頓市府將在現有預算中的為各種房屋項目撥款4000萬元之外，增撥200萬元給新設的”收購房屋機會基金 (Housing Acquisition Opportunity Fund)，以及100萬元用於租金援助及去碳化。

波士頓市府各部門共近百人出席了預算早餐會。(周菊子攝)

             劃分在公安和公共衛生類的預算部分，波士頓市府將增撥100萬元支持市府藉由低門檻房屋來管理濫用毒品及流民問題，增撥130萬元支持新增的12名緊急醫療技師 (EMT)，把波士頓市的緊急醫療技師總人數超過400人，可以改善全市緊急事故發生時的因應時間。波士頓市府的新年度預算還編列經費，藉科技實施現代化的休班警員制度，第一次的容許平民百姓執行休班警員任務。在改善街道安全上，波士頓市府編列了1億5500萬元經費來重建馬路及人行道。

             劃分在青年及家庭類別下，新年度預算包括了額外撥款2000萬元支持高品質的教育及學習，以及13億元的修繕學校樓宇設施費，其中包括5450萬元維修游泳池，3100萬元用於Fields Corner公共圖書館，6500萬元用於Grove廳的社區中心。另外有50萬元是撥給耆英的社區聯繫服務。

波士頓市房屋長Shiela Dillon (右)和波士頓計畫局主管。(周菊子攝)

波士頓市公校總監Mary Skipper。(周菊子攝)

             至於環境與綠色空間部分，波士頓市為受氣候變遷影響的海岸線增撥20萬元的氣候緊急應變經費，撥款75萬元給法蘭克福公園增聘員工，投資1400萬元來重建Clifford遊樂場，20萬元修剪樹木，310萬元照顧城市森林內的3萬5千株樹。

             此外，波士頓市府還將投資300萬元簡化牌照及許可的批准流程，資助”垃圾容器化”試驗計畫，投資85萬元持續改善市政府的修路，安裝交通號誌，消除塗鴉等基本服務，撥款680萬元給人力發展辦公室，用於宮新家庭中心，青年選擇等項目。平等及包容內閣得到100萬元，用於確保市內每一個居民都可得到市府服務。

             4月10日早上，在吳弭市長為預算早餐會做開場致詞時，發生一段插曲，有數名民眾靜悄悄走進室內後，高喊吳弭背信，未投資進社區，卻已募集5000萬元經費要競選連任。這樹人被請出屋外後，在透明的玻璃牆外高舉標語牌，但只逗留了一兩分鐘後離去。