BPDA board approves seven development projects

BPDA board approves seven development projects

at October 20 meeting

South Boston Rezoning Initiative moves forward; unit increase approved for Roxbury project to provide housing for homeless and formerly homeless families

BOSTON – The Boston Planning & Development Agency’s board of directors approved seven development projects at last night’s meeting. In total, the projects represent a combined investment of over $75 million and will generate over 150 construction jobs.

In addition to the approval of these development projects, the South Boston Rezoning Initiative was greenlighted by the board to move forward in being presented to the Zoning Commission. The South Boston Rezoning Initiative commenced in 2014 at the request of Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Boston City Councilors Bill Linehan and Michael Flaherty, and the South Boston community. Since that time, the main desire identified was a need for zoning that provides predictable, appropriate development without the constant need for zoning variances. The zoning proposed by the South Boston Rezoning Initiative includes regulations concerning use, height, density and parking ratios in order to achieve predictability in a way that the current zoning does not.

Below are summaries of the newly approved projects. The full board agenda and archived video stream can be found here.

Increase in units approved for Westminster House project in Roxbury

The previously approved 3012 Washington Street project, also known as the Westminster House project, was modified at last night’s board meeting by way of a Notice of Project Change. The updated project, which is receiving funding from the City of Boston’s Department of Neighborhood Development (DND), proposes to increase the number of residential rental units from 30 to 36. Of the 36 rental units, nine will be designated for homeless or formerly homeless families. Under the authority of DND and the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development, all units will be income restricted. The increase in units will not require additional changes to the current building size.

Board approves updates to Fenway Center project; includes contribution to city’s Neighborhood Jobs Trust

Updates to the Fenway Center project were approved by way of the project’s second Notice of Project Change. These changes include: approximately $600 million in construction and public benefits, consisting of housing and on-site affordable housing, as well as commercial and retail use to enliven the streetscape and neighborhoods. In addition, as part of Phase 1, a signaled intersection at Maitland Street and Beacon Street will be created, along with the creation of a new, or contribution to an existing community, public amenity, or affordable commercial space in the area. It is expected that approximately 1,800 construction jobs and 126 permanent jobs will be created as a result of this project.

The changes to the project constitute it as a Development Impact Project (DIP). Based on the present plans, creation of the project will yield contributions to the Neighborhood Housing Trust and the Neighborhood Jobs Trust.

South Boston’s 545 East Third Street to move forward with creation of condos

Total Cost: $5,500,000

Total SF: 33,436

Total Construction Jobs: 25

The 545 East Third Street project will combine two parcels one block north of East Broadway to develop 18 condominium units, including 16 market rate units and two Inclusionary Development Policy units. The project will consist of seven one-bedroom units, eight two-bedroom units and three three-bedroom units. The site will have bicycle storage and 22 garage parking spaces with access by way of East Third Street, in addition to access to multiple Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) bus lines.

Board approval to bring mixed-use development to 482 West Broadway

Total Cost: $8,400,000

Total SF: 48,692

Total Construction Jobs: 36

This South Boston project proposes the consolidation of three lots on West Broadway, yielding a new lot with over 9,000 square feet of land, to create a five story mixed-use building at 482 West Broadway. The project will have 4,190 square feet of ground floor commercial space, 23 garage parking spaces, and 18 residential units on floors two through five, two of these units will be created as IDP homeownership units. The residential units will be a mix of six one-bedroom units and 12 two-bedroom units.

Twelve residential units approved for 171 Tremont

Total Cost: $40,000,000

Total SF: 44,380

Total Construction Jobs: 43

The site of the proposed 171 Tremont project is located in the Downtown Boston area, well-served by public transportation. This project will include the construction of a 13-story building with 12 residential units, a welcoming lobby, and a public pocket park in the Mason Place pedestrian walkway.

The developer, 171 Tremont, LLC., will make a $50,000 contribution to the City of Boston's Parks and Recreation Department to be used for the maintenance of Boston Common, in addition to a contribution of $100,000 to the IDP Special Revenue Fund managed by DND.

Energy efficient residential development given okay for West Roxbury’s 400 Belgrade Avenue

Total Cost: $9,000,000

Total SF: 31,000

Total Construction Jobs: 23

The proposed development at West Roxbury’s 400 Belgrade Avenue will create an energy efficient four story residential building, consisting of 18 residential rental units, two of which are affordable units, and 33 parking spaces. Each unit will have two bedrooms and access to the below-grade parking will be created by way of Beech Street.

Six story residential building slated for Dorchester

Total Cost: $12,500,000

Total SF: 42,656

Total Construction Jobs: 32

The project proposed for Dorchester’s 1258-1272 Massachusetts Avenue will include the construction of a six story, mixed-use building with 40 residential rental units, including five affordable units. The project will also include 37 off-street parking spaces and ground floor retail space. As currently proposed, the 40 residential units will consist of 10 studio units, 15 one-bedroom units, and 15 two-bedroom units. This project will also provide a number of public benefits, such as new pedestrian and commercial activity along Mass Ave., reconstructed sidewalks along the project site to meet Complete Streets guidelines, and a $10,000 contribution for maintenance and improvements to Clifford Playground in Dorchester.

Located within a brief walk from the MBTA Red Line (JFK/UMass and Andrew Station) and MBTA Commuter Rail service (Newmarket Station), the project site will provide residents with direct access to Downtown and the Greater Boston area.

About the Boston Planning & Development Agency

The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) plans and guides inclusive growth in our city – creating opportunities for everyone to live, work and connect. Through our future-focused, city-wide lens, we engage communities, implement new solutions, partner for greater impact and track progress. Our vision and mission are the core components of our organizational strategy. Our vision sets our direction as an organization and our mission defines what we do. Learn more at http://meetbpda.bostonplans.org/, and follow us on Twitter @BostonPlans.

Raising Our Voices will be on Urban Updates 11/23

From left: Claudia Green of ENB,聽Byron Barnett and Alberto Vasallo
of "Urban Update," and聽Jimmy Liang of JP Fuji Group

Tune in this Sunday at聽11:30am toUrban Update聽on聽WHDH-Channel 7聽to see聽#RaisingVoices2016 Workforce Leader awardee聽Jimmy Liang of JP Fuji Group聽and聽Claudia Green of English for New Bostonians聽talk workplace ESOL training for immigrant employees and its benefits to companies, communities, and our Commonwealth.

Having immigrated to the U.S. with his family a child, Liang聽witnessed firsthand the struggles of people around him in finding opportunities to learn English and聽support their families.

Liang now offers workplace English classes to his employees at JP Fuji Group restaurants with聽Quincy Asian Resources, Inc., all on paid release time.聽He understands that staff聽improving their聽English聽skills聽is critical to his business聽as well as to his employees and their families.

Don't miss Liang and eight other Workforce Leaders, five Agents of Change, and one ESOL student leader get the recognition they deserve for increasing access to English classes to MA immigrants- join us at聽Raising Our Voices聽next Monday, Oct. 24, from 7:30-9:30am.

RSVP BY TODAY to: Raising Our Voices Recognizing ESOL Leadership in Business and the Community Monday, October 24, 2016 - 7:30-9:30am Curry Student Center Ballroom, Northeastern University #RaisingVoices2016

Event presented by聽C&W Services聽with support from聽Eastern Bank,聽

Home Market Foods,聽and media sponsor聽El Mundo Newspaper

美国罗德岛大学孔子学院顺利举行HSK考试

             

美国当地时间2016年10月16日上下午，罗德岛大学孔子学院在金士顿校区顺利举办了HSK网络考试。此次HSK考试是从2013年4月罗大首次举行网络考试以来，第八次在罗德岛大学孔子学院举行的汉语水平考试。除了以往4月、12月的常规HSK考试以外，今年首次增加了10月的考试，以满足学生的需求。

近年来罗德岛大学的中文教育稳步发展，2011年成立中文专业以来，从开始的几个主修的学生，到现在已经发展到120多人。罗大中文项目既有美国联邦政府的中文领航项目，又有中国政府支持的孔子学院，和学校自己发展的中文国际工程师项目，很多学生都是双主修。每年罗大都有几十个学生到中国大陆、台湾留学。这次考试，罗德岛大学中文领航项目一年级有10位学生参加了一级考试，虽然只学习了短短一个半月的汉语，但是他们期待参与今年冬季到浙江大学的J—Term学习活动，积极报名参加HSK考试，争取得到国家汉办的奖学金。

这次共有16位学生参加了此次考试，其中一位是来自波士顿大学的研究生，一位是罗德岛州的高中学生，其余14位均是罗德岛大学的在校学生。两位同学分别参加了HSK二级和四级的考试，一位家住罗德岛州，以前曾经在罗德岛大学孔子学院学习过中文的高中学生参加了五级考试，另有三位同学参加了三级考试。考试结束后，各位同学都感觉不错，对自己颇有信心。此外，罗德岛大学孔子学院12月4号的HSK考试也已经开始接受报名。网上报名的截止时间是11月26号，欢迎大家报名参加。

在考试开始之前，罗德岛大学孔子学院组织了新来的汉办志愿者老师参加了监考资格的学习和考试，了解、熟悉HSK考试的各项考务工作流程及管理模式，以促进汉语考试在罗德岛地区的推广。(萬潔華提供)

SPARK BOSTON INVITES BOSTON'S MILLENNIALS TO "VOTE WITH US"

SPARK BOSTON INVITES BOSTON'S MILLENNIALS TO "VOTE WITH US"

Mayor Walsh's millennial engagement initiative encourages young adults to vote early with a series of pop-ups at the polls on Saturday, October 29

BOSTON - Friday, October 21, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh's millennial engagement initiative, SPARK Boston, will launch "Vote With Us," a day-long series of "pop-ups at the polls," events and activities, to encourage Boston's young adults to vote early for the November 8 election. Nine early voting locations will be open between 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 29th, and "Vote With Us" programming will take place at or nearby each available polling location. "Early voting presents a tremendous opportunity to activate young adults in this important  upcoming election, " said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "Boston's millennials are socially connected and civically engaged. The ability to vote conveniently and on your own schedule makes voting more conducive to an active, mobile lifestyle, and I encourage our younger voters to take advantage of this opportunity." "On election day, voters often pin 'I Voted' stickers to their clothes and devices, illustrating the strong social component involved in voting," said SPARK Boston Director Erin Santhouse. "Early voting is our attempt to expand on that social component, while providing millennials registered in Boston the convenience of voting at any available early voting location. Voters can drop by a polling location that's convenient while out and about, or come 'Vote With Us' at any of our pop-ups at the polls." Pop-ups will take place one after another throughout the day until the polls close at 6:00 p.m. Each event will feature unique programming, and all are free and open to the public. SPARK Boston Council members wearing SPARK Boston t-shirts will be on site to facilitate the pop-up events and lead participants to the polls. Voters are encouraged to wear an "I Voted" sticker and/or participate in a pop-up at the polls on October 29th using the hashtag #SPARKBosVotes for a chance to meet Mayor Walsh. A full schedule of activities and locations can be found below: 11:00 a.m. Yoga in East Boston Piers Park 95 Marginal Street, East Boston 12:00 p.m.  Run to the Polls in Lower Mills Ashmont T Station 1900 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester Center 1:00 p.m. Tour GrandTen Distilling in South Boston GrandTen Distilling 383 Dorchester Avenue 2:00 p.m. Wine & Cheese Tasting in Back Bay Bacco's Wine & Cheese 31 Saint James Avenue 2:00 p.m. Mini Block Party in Mattapan Mildred Ave Community Center 5 Mildred Avenue, Mattapan 2:30 p.m. Bike Ride to Grove Hall Ruggles T Station 1150 Tremont Street, Roxbury Crossing 3:00 p.m. Trivia at Dudley Cafe in Roxbury Dudley Cafe 15 Warren Street, Roxbury 4:00 p.m. Water Pong Tourney & Games in Allston Roxy's Grilled Cheese 485 Cambridge Street, Allston 4:30 p.m. Group Fitness Class in West Roxbury Boston Public Library, West Roxbury Branch 1961 West Centre Street, West Roxbury Learn More Visit SPARK Boston's website to learn more about VOTE WITH US and #SPARKBosVotes. For more information on early voting in the City of Boston, please visit the Vote Early Boston website. About Spark Boston Boston is home to a large and diverse millennial population. SPARK Boston (formerly ONEin3) is a City of Boston initiative that aims to empower the millennial generation to play a greater role in planning for the future of our city. SPARK Boston focuses on engaging the next generation of civic leaders and social entrepreneurs in the work of city government. This will shape how the City designs and develops policies, convenes stakeholders for important initiatives and works collaboratively with young people to shape Boston's future. Learn more at  www.sparkbos.com.

STATEMENT OF MAYOR WALSH

STATEMENT OF MAYOR WALSH

BOSTON - Friday, October 21, 2016 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today released the following statement: "Tonight my thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two workers who tragically lost their lives while doing their jobs on Dartmouth Street. Today is a difficult day for the entire City of Boston, and especially those who go to work at construction sites everyday to make our city better.  I extend my gratitude to all of Boston's first responders, and the Boston Water and Sewer Commission workers who worked tirelessly today in the recovery efforts."

Bates Elementary wins $100,000 Thomas Payzant School on the Move Prize

Bates Elementary wins $100,000 Thomas Payzant School on the Move Prize

Mayor Walsh, Boston Public Schools congratulate Bates and finalists Manning Elementary and UP Academy Boston

Mayor Martin J. Walsh, EdVestors CEO and President Laura Perille, Bates School Principal Andrew Vega, School on the Move Prize Selection panelist and Plymouth Rock CEO Jim Stone and EdVestors Board Chairman Wendell Knox, retired CEO of Abt Associates.  BOSTON - October 21, 2016 - Boston Public Schools and EdVestors are pleased to announce that the Phineas Bates Elementary School in Roslindale is the winner of this year's $100,000 Thomas W. Payzant School on the Move Prize. The awards were presented at a ceremony this morning featuring Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh at the Westin Copley Place. Finalist schools Joseph P. Manning Elementary of Jamaica Plain and UP Academy Boston of South Boston each received $10,000 prizes. Now in its 11th year, the School on the Move Prize was created by nonprofit EdVestors to recognize rapidly improving schools that have made exemplary progress in advancing the academic achievement of all students. The prize spotlights the daunting, yet less publicized, achievements of these and other Boston Public Schools making significant strides in improving educational outcomes for students. EdVestors awards the Prize, in partnership with philanthropic sponsors, as part of the organization's work accelerating positive change in urban schools.   "I congratulate the Bates on being awarded this year's School on the Move Prize," said Boston Mayor Martin J Walsh. "Our top priority is creating a public school system that gives all of our young people an opportunity to succeed. I thank EdVestors for their continued partnership and support in helping to improve educational outcomes for our students and prepare them for a bright future." "On behalf of the entire Boston School Committee, we congratulate the winner, Bates Elementary, and the two finalists, Manning Elementary and Up Academy Boston, for all of their hard work in improving student achievement. All three schools deserve to be recognized," said Boston School Committee Chairperson Michael O'Neill. "These three schools serve as leaders as we work as a district to close opportunity and achievement gaps." "These schools provide great examples of approaches to equity and innovation in our Boston Public Schools," said BPS Superintendent Tommy Chang. "I commend the Bates Elementary and the two finalist schools for their dedication to providing a rigorous education to all students." The 300-student Phineas Bates Elementary School in the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston prides itself on a culture of leadership and engagement for both teachers and students. The Bates credits its steady improvement in both English language arts and math to giving teachers greater autonomy to make instructional decisions to meet the needs of their students. As a full inclusion school where students with significant special needs learn alongside their typically-developing peers in general education classrooms, all students benefit from more robust and effective use of classroom supports thanks to creative staffing and scheduling. "The Bates has transformed into a school where every person, student and staff member alike, who walks through the doors is a leader," said Andrew Vega, principal of the Bates School. "We are fearless in our efforts to name and tackle the most challenging topics in education today in one of the most diverse schools in the Boston Public Schools. Winning the School on the Move Prize is a validation of our collective work over the last five years: We've taken risks and been bold in our approaches and this Prize is a sign we're on the right track." "It is an honor to work with our philanthropic partners and our panel of Prize judges to present the eleventh annual School on the Move Prize, and to lift up these three schools' successes." said Laura Perille, CEO and President of EdVestors. "The achievements of schools such as the Bates, the Manning, and UP Academy who demonstrate rapid student progress often go unnoticed.  The School on the Move Prize not only aims to congratulate the amazing work of these schools but also share lessons learned with the rest of the Boston Public School district and beyond." To document and share key strategies from School on the Move Prize winners, this morning EdVestors also released a case study of the 2015 winner, the Jeremiah E. Burke High School. The case study illuminates how the Burke drove change and accelerated student achievement by embracing a school climate that emphasized two major elements: whole child supports and new cultural norms for teachers. Together, these key strategies and supports fueled the Jeremiah E. Burke High School's transformation from one of the lowest-performing schools in the state to the most improved school in Boston Public Schools. The Thomas W. Payzant School on the Move Prize is made possible by sponsors including Eastern Bank, Fidelity Investments, jetBlue, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Microsoft, Plymouth Rock Assurance, and State Street Bank among other generous companies and individuals.

蘇宇寅獲選為波士頓商業期刊 40歲以下菁英

波士頓商業期刊(Boston Business Journal)頒發"40名40歲以下菁英獎"。今年僅29歲的蘇宇寅是其中唯一的獲獎華裔。他謙虛表示，這是所有"雞肉飯傢伙( Chicken & Rice Guy)"全體員工的努力成績。榮幸獲獎，他說感覺太棒了。