The City Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) voted last week to approve the variances requested by the developers of the luxury apartment project at 161 S. Huntington Ave. in the midst of great community opposition. That, along with the expected approval from the Parks Commission this week, were the last steps in approving the...
Monthly Archives: November 2012
Mayor responds to donation controversy
Mayor Thomas Menino has responded to controversy created after local activists spotlighted campaign contributions made to elected officials by developers of two disputed S. Huntington Avenue housing projects. Dot Joyce, Menino’s spokesperson, told the Gazette that, as far as she is aware, Menino did not know about those campaign donations and that he did...
JP Observer: Homeless families put in danger by the state
All the candidates for election this year, no matter their party, seemed to agree on one value: families. Here in Massachusetts, U.S. Sen. Scott Brown, a Republican, and Democratic challenger, now Senator-elect Elizabeth Warren, argued fiercely on many topics. But they were both always for families. Scott Brown’s biography at his U.S. Senate web...
Menino, others mum on mayor’s race
As Will Dorcena gears up his 2013 mayoral campaign, incumbent Thomas Menino and other possible contenders—including Jamaica Plain’s City Councilor Felix Arroyo—are not definitively saying “yes” or “no” to a run. Asked whether Menino intends to run for re-election, spokesperson Dot Joyce noted that she cannot answer campaign-related questions due to ethics laws. But...
New crosswalk signs installed
JP CENTER—New signs planted in the middle of the road on Centre Street to warn drivers to stop for pedestrians were installed earlier this month after an effort by local residents and City Councilor Matt O’Malley. Called “traffic delineators,” the bright, upright signs note the $200 fine for entering a crosswalk with a pedestrian...
Café/bar coming to Arboretum Place
FOREST HILLS—A 700-square-foot café and bar is planned to open in April at Arboretum Place. The “Simpli Café” would be owned and managed by Jamaica Plain-based WCI Corp., which is the developer of the Washington Street site. It will be WCI’s first foray into owning a restaurant or café, though employees and owner Kevin...
Hyde/Jackson Main Street debuts director, open house
Hyde/Jackson Square Main Street (HJSMS) has introduced its new executive director, Gerald Robbins, after several months on the job. HJSMS also announced it will hold an “open house” Dec. 6. Main Street is a program introduced by Mayor Thomas Menino to revitalize the city’s neighborhood commercial districts through design, technical and financial support, according...
BRA to present draft ‘corridor plan’
The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) will host a community meeting to present a first draft for a S. Huntington Avenue “corridor plan” by the end of the month, BRA spokesperson Melina Schuler told the Gazette. “A great team of planners and designers have been selected,” she said. “We’re confident that we’ll be able to...
Centre/South Main Streets head resigns
JP Centre/South Main Streets (CSMS) Executive Director Randace Moore resigned earlier this month after nearly five years in the chair. “It was time to move on and explore other career options,” Moore told the Gazette. “I’m taking a much needed rest.” CSMS programs are expected to continue as planned, CSMS Board President Richard Downey...