Parcel P-12 Planning & Disposition Public Meeting 4/27

Parcel P-12 Planning & Disposition

Public Meeting

Description:The BPDA will present to the community an outline of draft development guidelines which is based upon feedback received at the January 19, 2017 community workshop. These guidelines are slated to be part of a Request for Proposals to be issued for the P-12 site. This site, located on Tremont Street between the Doubletree Hotel and a Tufts New England Medical Center parking garage, is in the Mid-Town Cultural Zoning District and South Cove Urban Renewal Area. This site offers potential for a mixed-use development that will create synergy between neighboring elements and communities.
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Time: 04/27/2017 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Josiah Quincy Elementary School, Cafeteria, 885 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111

Contact

Reay Pannesi
Reay.L.Pannesi@Boston.gov
617.918.6239

MAYOR WALSH, DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY LAUNCH ANALYZE BOSTON

MAYOR WALSH, DEPARTMENT OF INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY LAUNCH  ANALYZE BOSTON

BOSTON - Friday, April 7, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) today launched Analyze Boston, the City's open data hub. Analyze Boston will create a user-friendly digital catalog of facts, figures, and maps that reflect on life in Boston, such as maps of Boston's historic districts and datasets of 311 services requests. "In Boston we don't shy away from new technologies -- we embrace them as we look for ways to better serve the residents of our City," said Mayor Walsh. "Building off of previous, successful models like CityScore and 311, Analyze Boston will make civic data easily available to all our residents." Analyze Boston curates more than a hundred datasets, enriches them with descriptive information, and pairs them with tools for data exploration and analysis to broaden their accessibility. Most importantly, the site presents the City's data with plain language and vivid imagery to spark the imaginations of all City residents, regardless of technical background. Sparked by a grant from the Knight Foundation's News Challenge competition, the City's Department of Innovation and Technology partnered with the Boston Public Library to create a user-friendly digital catalog of facts, figures, and maps that reflect on life in Boston. "Boston has been an innovator in using data and analytics to improve many aspects of City Services," said Andrew Therriault, the City's first Chief Data Officer. "I am thrilled to share all the work we've done on Analyze Boston with our residents so they can better access open data in their City. Analyze Boston represents our desire to share meaningful data and information with everyone in this city in a way that is clear and relevant." Analyze Boston is the City's latest step to set a better example by improving government transparency, increasing accountability and fostering civic participation throughout Boston. This next generation open data hub will support the city's goal of publishing open datasets of high quality with clear public value. During the site's beta period, the Analyze Boston team shared how they planned to re-imagine the open data experience and asked for feedback to help figure out how to make the site as functional as possible for current and future users. Working with partners AppGeo and OpenGov, the Department of Innovation and Technology worked to build out the site, and improve its functionality. The newest features coming to Boston include implemented data dictionaries, added downloadable file formats, an enhanced data preview experience and improved content. There will be more datasets and improvements as the year goes on. The release is a significant milestone for the Knight Foundation funded "Open Data to Open Knowledge" project, which seeks to democratize access to the City's datasets. For more information on Analyze Boston visit boston.gov, sign up for their newsletter or follow them on Twitter at @AnalyzeBoston.

MIRA: Immigration Day a success

Immigrants’ Day was a huge success! Now we fight on

We had more than 1,600 registered participants and made a big splash at the State House. So let’s celebrate… and keep up the good work

Thank you so much for your support and for showing up to our biggest ever Immigrants' Day at the State House. We had more than 1,600 registered for the event and boy, was the Hall of Flags packed! It was incredible to see so many faces from across the state there and buzzing around the State House meeting with legislators. All of this happened because YOU showed up, and we are so grateful.

Read our wrap-up of the event, look at our photos, and check out some of our media coverage:
• On Immigrants’ Day, advocates urge legislators to pass ‘sanctuary state’ bill (Boston Globe)
• Immigrants Day held in Boston (NECN and NBC Boston)
• Safe Communities Act may force Beacon Hill to weigh in on immigration (State House News Service)

But the fight for immigrant rights is not over, there is still so much that needs to be done.

First, if you were at Immigrants’ Day, we need you to fill out this survey on how you visit with your legislator went (so we know who to target with more education).

Second, we have some postcards left! If you want to get some to write messages to legislators you haven’t reached, or to Governor Baker, let us know and we'll get you a bunch.

Third, be ready to help us advocate for key items in the state budget – and fight anti-immigrant amendments (see below).

Fourth, save May 1 on your calendar – there will be a big rally for #UnDiaSinInmigrantes.

Thank you again for all of your hard work and dedication! It is only by your efforts that we will make Massachusetts a safe place for ALL people.

In solidarity,

– MIRA Organizing Team

State House update

The Safe Communities Act has the attention of state legislators and is currently before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. We anticipate that the Committee will hold a hearing on the bill this summer, which gives us time to educate legislators and the public about this complex bill and the issues that make statewide legislation so essential.

If we can get two thirds of each chamber to commit to voting in favor of the bill – our next project – we will have a veto-proof majority, which will convince State House leadership the public has their back. Keep us posted on your visits with state legislators – and remember, you can always offer MIRA’s expertise. We are a phone call away! We will be making legislative visits too, but remember, legislators listen to their constituents’ concerns. Your voices count more than ours do!

Upcoming advocacy opportunities: The House Ways and Means committee releases its proposed budget this Monday, April 10th, followed by three days of amendment filing, both pro- and anti-immigrant. We will need your help calling on state legislators to support pro-immigrant budget amendments calling for more funds for programs that serve immigrants and refugees, and to oppose the anti-immigrant budget amendments seeking to exclude and punish immigrants and refugees.

Newton Passes Accessory Apartment Ordinance

Newton Passes Accessory Apartment Ordinance

Step forward in Mayor Setti Warren’s Housing Strategy goal to expand housing options and affordability for individuals, families, and seniors

Newton, MA – On Monday night, the Newton City Council voted 22-2 to pass an ordinance that allows internal accessory apartments by right, one of the two priority policies in Mayor Setti Warren’s 2016 Housing Strategy. The passage of this ordinance marks the first time that accessory apartments will be allowed by right in all Newton single and two-family homes. 

Accessory apartments will provide much-needed diversity to Newton’s housing stock, increasing options and affordability. This new accessory apartment ordinance will allow individuals, seniors, and families to reside and thrive in Newton and take advantage of all the amenities that the City has to offer.

“This ordinance is a vital component of our housing strategy,” said Mayor Warren. “It is a great step in creating more housing diversity and moderately priced units, giving options to our families and seniors. I am thankful of the collaborative work with the City Council and community members who have worked hard to get this important ordinance passed in our City.”

An accessory apartment is a fully contained, separate unit located within a single- or two-family property.  The new ordinance allows for the construction of interior accessory apartments by right and detached accessory apartments through the special permit process. The owner of the household with an accessory unit must live on the premises. There are size restrictions on the interior unit as well as building codes that must be followed.

For further information visit: www.newtonma.gov/accessoryapartments

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES RFP TO BRING BROADBAND TO BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS, STRENGTHEN PUBLIC SAFETY

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES RFP TO BRING BROADBAND TO BOSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS, STRENGTHEN PUBLIC SAFETY

BOSTON - Friday, April 7, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) that will expand the Boston Fiber Network (BoNet) through a $10 million investment in its fiber backbone and infrastructure. The project will provide broadband services to Boston Public Schools, public housing and more than 100 City buildings, in addition to strengthening public safety communications. "Boston is a world-class city -- and that needs to include our technology," said Mayor Walsh. "That's why my administration has made the first significant fiber network expansion in over ten years. With this investment, are continuing to provide opportunities for our students, and providing our police, fire and emergency services with the communication and information tools they need. Through expanding the City's fiber network, we are working to close the digital divide, and make broadband services available to all." The City of Boston's Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) is requesting proposals that will bolster the City's existing BoNet infrastructure and provide future connectivity to the Boston Housing Authority's (BHA) family developments and critical public safety sites. Additionally, this investment will help the City to expand and improve public safety services across the City and present opportunities to deploy Wicked Free Wi-Fi to a broader geography. The City is seeking multiple proposals and options, including citywide solutions, indivisible multi-zone solutions, and solutions by individual zone(s). Respondents may submit a proposal for one, two, or all three categories. This investment will match the Boston Public Schools' demand for connectivity and broadband capacity for its students and educators. Expanding Boston's Fiber Optic Network to these schools will deliver gigabit (1 Gbps) bandwidth capacity for PARCC online testing, online learning, administrative and video services and in-campus Wi-Fi, along with additional services. In the future, the City will be able to offer faster speeds using the same fiber optic cables. Currently, over 130 City buildings are connected to Boston's Fiber Optic Network, including interconnection to state agencies and a remote data center and colocation facility. The BoNet network is the backbone for connectivity in City buildings,  phone service, public safety video surveillance and wireless access points, including Boston's Wicked Free Wi-Fi. By operating its own fiber network, the City saves millions of dollars per year in telecommunications costs. This network buildout will expand the BoNet network by connecting the remaining 73 Boston Public Schools with City fiber, as well as 24 family housing developments and other sites for public safety and transportation services. To view the RFP, visit: boston.gov/procurement, select "Access the Supplier Portal" and search for EV00004171

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Governor Baker, Massport Celebrate Improvements to Logan’s International Terminal and Launch of 1st Nonstop South American Service

Flights to Bogotá become Logan’s 53^rd international destination beginning in June

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker and the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) announced renovations and enhancements at Boston Logan International Airport’s Terminal E while celebrating Avianca airlines’ first nonstop flights between Boston and South America through Colombia’s capital of Bogotá in June. Logan will now offer 53 international destinations, including nonstop service to South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

“Better connecting all Massachusetts has to offer to the global economy allows the Commonwealth to maintain its competitive edge and continue to reap the benefits of a culturally and professionally diverse population,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “New international routes are estimated to bring an economic benefit of over $1 billion annually and I’m proud our administration and Massport continue to make strategic investments, like the Terminal E improvements, to attract new services to the Commonwealth.” 

The Terminal E Renovation and Enhancements project focused on improving the passenger experience throughout the terminal, expanding terminal space by an additional 95,000 square feet and renovating three existing gates and adding the required services to accommodate larger aircrafts. The project incorporates sustainable and resilient design elements and has submitted documentation for LEED Gold certification. Boston Logan International Airport offers nonstop service to 75 domestic and 53 international destinations and served more than 36 million passengers last year.

“The addition of nonstop service to Bogotá is another example of Massport’s focus on connecting New England with the global economy,” said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn. “Our strategic investment in upgrading and improving Terminal E will better accommodate and serve our growing international customer base.”

Beginning on June 2^nd, Avianca will operate year-round service from Boston to Bogotá four times per week on an A319 aircraft. In Bogotá, passengers can conveniently connect to 36 destinations throughout South and Central America through Avianca’s hub. A city of almost seven million people with a growing economy and booming tourism market, Bogotá is quickly becoming a “must-see” destination in South America; with both Forbes and Vogue naming it a top travel destination for 2017.

“With this with new addition to our route network, Avianca becomes the first and only airline to directly join Boston with Bogotá and vice versa, connecting travelers coming from the State of Massachusetts more efficiently to the main capitals in Latin America. On their part, travelers from South America will be able to fly more easily to key destinations in New England,” added Hernan Rincon, President of Avianca.

Avianca is the flag carrier of Colombia and the country’s largest air carrier. The second largest air carrier in Latin America, it has been in operations since 1919, making it the oldest airline in the Western Hemisphere. A member of the Star Alliance, Avianca serves over 100 destinations in almost 30 countries with a modern fleet of over 180 aircraft.

“Bostonians and residents of New England will be able to get to know our beautiful country where people are happy and always have a smile for visitors, discover beautiful landscapes, see the Sea of 7 colors, and taste the best coffee in the world,” said Consul of the Consulate General of Colombia in Boston, Yida Ximena Mora Silva. “This flight is an example of how the United States and Colombia continue to develop strong ties that benefit both countries.”

The Colombian community in Massachusetts has had significant growth since the 1960s, with over 20,000 Colombians now residing in the Commonwealth. Colombians also make up the 8^th largest foreign-born population in Boston, with the majority (75%) residing in East Boston.

“The ties between Massachusetts and Latin America are strong and deep; Latino-Americans make up almost 10% of the Commonwealth’s population and are an integral part of the vibrancy and diversity of all Massachusetts has to offer,” said Nader Acevedo, Executive Vice President, Hispanic-American Institute.“ The opportunities for loved ones to reconnect, investments to be made and adventures to be had on both continents are now closer than ever through nonstop air service to Colombia on Avianca.”

Sustaining Boston’s competitive edge in international travel is critical to the state’s highly travel-dependent and diversified economic base which is spread across sectors such as information technology, biotechnology, healthcare, education, and medical scientific research and products. International non-stop flights make Boston more attractive to foreign companies to locate U.S. facilities in the Commonwealth.

“This service now means a major South American gateway city is now connected directly to Boston and New England's visitor industry; bringing with it new visitors, new visitor spending and new jobs for our visitor economy,” Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau CEO, Patrick Moscaritolo said. 

“With more international direct air service than ever from Boston’s Logan International Airport, Massachusetts continues to attract record numbers of overseas visitors,” said Francois-Laurent Nivaud, Executive Director of Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism. “In 2015, Massachusetts’ overseas visitor market increased by 13% to 1.7 million visitors, bolstering our state economy through direct spending, taxes and jobs.” 

In total, Logan Airport generates $13 billion in economic activity each year and last year more than 36 million passengers flew through Logan, which accounts for over 17,000 local jobs. During the past decade, the number of international non-stop destinations from Logan Airport has nearly doubled from 27 to 53 and international passengers now account for 16% of travelers at Logan Airport. International passengers are predicted to be the fastest growing component of airport business. In 2016, 6.5 million international passengers traveled through Terminal E.

Other renovations to Logan’s international Terminal E include: 

• Displays throughout the terminal to showcase innovations and innovators with strong ties to Massachusetts;
• Art installations that represent current Massachusetts Innovations, current Massachusetts innovators, a Wall of Fame featuring Nobel Prize winners that have roots in Massachusetts, News Desks with local headlines and the interactive Boston “T” Party selfie moment;
• Newly designed seating arrangement in the terminal and all seats include power and USB charging capabilities;
• New arrivals level de-boarding areas that connect to the Customs Primary Inspection hall;
• A new fourth level that hold brand new Airline Clubs, which allow for their passengers to directly board from the lounge to either level of an Airbus A380;
• And new two-level aircraft boarding jet bridges on the three renovated gates.

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The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field, and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $15 billion annually, and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. For more information please visit massport.com.

Workforce Skills Cabinet Kicks Off New Regional Planning Initiative

Workforce Skills Cabinet Kicks Off New Regional Planning Initiative

Seven teams to develop regional plans to address skills gap, spur economic growth

BOSTON – The Baker-Polito Administration today announced a new regional planning initiative aimed at addressing the skills gap by bringing together regional teams of educators, workforce, and economic development professionals to create a statewide blueprint for growth strategies in every region of the Commonwealth.

The regional planning initiative, launched by the Governor’s Workforce Skills Cabinet, will better align work across different state and local agencies to fuel job growth and address employer demand for talent by region. The regional approach will help build strong regional economies to ensure all residents benefit from the state’s economic successes.

Seven regional teams will devise local strategies for a statewide plan used to inform policy-making and investments targeted at strengthening the Massachusetts economy. 

“While the Massachusetts economy continues to thrive, these regional initiatives will help ensure the state is continuing our work to match skills with employer demand,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The regional teams have an opportunity to specifically tailor our regional economic strengths, needs, and investments in a way that will shape the entire Commonwealth.”

“We believe this work will be important for connecting local and state government to improve economic growth,” Lt. Governor Karyn Polito said. “These regional strategies will help inform our decision-making at the state level, so we can better help communities strengthen their local economies, and make strategic investments as a state to close the skills gap.” 

Governor Baker and Lt. Governor Polito announced the new initiative at Worcester Technical High School, along with the Workforce Skills Cabinet - Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash, Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald L. Walker, II and Education Secretary James Peyser.

The regional teams will use local labor market data to identify industries and occupations that are growing in their regions, and develop action steps to address gaps in talent and skills for those jobs. The regional planning initiative is aimed at helping more residents gain credentials, education and job skills in high-demand career pipelines.

“This is the first time the three sectors – education, economic development and workforce – have come together at a regional level to make joint decisions,” said Education Secretary James Peyser. “The goal for this state-regional planning process is to bring together multiple local organizations to create consensus on high-demand industries and occupations, and then identify strategies that regional partners can collectively advance.” 

“The Regional Planning Initiative will provide a vital bridge between local and state policy makers on how to maximize our workforce development programs across Massachusetts,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald Walker. "We look forward to furthering these partnerships and helping to ensure that workers and employers have access to resources which fit their unique employment environments.”

“A deep dive into regional data will help us solve outstanding challenges in our workforce pipeline,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “We need fresh strategies to pull more residents into high-performing community college and training programs, ensure their completion and accelerate matching graduates and qualified workers with open job opportunities.”

Since Governor Baker established the Workforce Skills Cabinet by Executive Order in February, 2015 the three Cabinet Secretaries have worked closely to create partnerships to respond to businesses’ demand for skilled workers and develop plans to help residents get the skills they need to fill jobs in the Commonwealth.

Through the Workforce Skills Cabinet, the Baker-Polito Administration has awarded more than $24 million in Workforce Skills Capital Grants to 63 different vocational technical schools, community colleges and traditional public high schools to upgrade vocational technical equipment and expand skills training programs for careers in growing industries, impacting more than 7,100 students per year.