The Stonybrook Neighborhood Association (SNA) met virtually on Feb. 7, where they heard a presentation for a proposal at 3514 Washington St. as well as updates from committees and a few words from new At-Large City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune.
3514 WASHINGTON ST.
JP resident Omer Hecht has purchased the building at 3514 Washington St. and has plans to move his business into the ground floor and construct two units on two new stories above.
Architect Timothy Burke explained that the building has “been abandoned for a while, but Hecht has been “fixing up the first floor” for his business, CatLABS, which specializes in repairs of analog photographic equipment.
Right now, the building is mainly a one story space with a basement and a flat roof. At one point, a daycare was proposed for the location but was never operational. There are four parking spots in the rear of the building.
Each of the residential units would be two bedrooms, the team said. Additionally, the goal is for the building to be carbon neutral at the very least, but potentially carbon positive.
Hecht also has a goal of including a living roof and also possibly a living front wall.
JP resident Bill Reyelt said that he appreciates that additional housing is being proposed int he neighborhood, and on a smaller scale. He also asked about improvements to the facade, specifically to the ground floor.
“I hope that everybody has the chance to walk past the building now,” Hecht said. He said that he has remodeled and repainted the front of the building as well as repainted the door and the window frames. He also will be bringing in additional lighting.
“Expect a lively, welcoming storefront…really in the coming days,” he said, as he expects to move the business into the space this weekend. “You’ll see us there starting from next week,” he said.
“I really love the design,” resident Patty Yehle said. “I’m extremely grateful it’s only two floors and not five floors. I love the environmentally-conscious design.”
SNA member Jennifer Uhrhane said that she is “not seeing a lot of architectural interest” in the design of the building, and suggested “something that looks a little more interesting” as well as “modern” and “creative” for the facade of the building. “Right now, I don’t see a whole lot to get excited about.”
She did, however, say she was “excited” about CatLABS moving in, as she is a photographer herself.
Burke said that a drawing featuring a bay window might be more of interest, and also said that “this is the drawing that started the process with the city,” and a lot of details have yet to be worked out.
Additionally, Hecht said that there will also be space to open a pro lab, “something that’s been missing from the city since Color Services closed. There will be a new photo lab in Boston for the first time in many years.”
SNA Steering Committee member told Hecht and his team that the SNA will “be in touch” as this proposal continues to progress.
RUTHZEE LOUIJEUNE
One month after taking office, At-Large City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune came to the SNA to speak a little but about what she’s been working on so far as well as to hear from constituents.
Louijeune introduced herself, saying that she and her three sisters all went to Boston Public Schools, and then she went on to Harvard Law School. As a lawyer, she represented families facing eviction and worked with City Life/Vida Urbana, as well as for Senator Elizabeth Warren on her campaign.
“We’re one month in,” Louijeune said, adding that she is the chair of the Civil Rights and Immigrant Advancement Committee, as well as the vice chair of the Housing and Government Operations committees.
“In this month, we’ve just been doing a lot,” she said, relating to transit justice, helping constituents find housing, and issues related to the Haitian community. She said she is a strong advocate for affordable housing, and appreciated that so many residents in Jamaica Plain feel the same way.
“I’m excited to listen and learn from all of you,” Louijeune said. “I’m a big JP fan…you can count me as someone who would show up and support you and listen.”
COMMITTEE UPDATES
Flanagan & Seaton
Jennifer Uhrhane reported on the mural project that was part of the Flanagan & Seaton project. The murals are to be painted on the Extra Space Storage building.
“We’ve been trying to fundraise more money on top of the allotted dollars,” she said, however, she also said that the developer “was able to negotiate a lower price” with the company who will be painting the murals and were able to get a lower price for the lift rental.
“What this means is that they think they can get this painted within their original budget,” which allows the extra money to be used for things like signage for the building as well as towards the celebration event the SNA is planning for when the murals are complete.
Southwest Corridor Extension
SNA Steering Committee member Paige Sparks reported that a meeting was held a few weeks ago with several neighbors to discuss extension of the Southwest Corridor to possibly include a dog park. She said discussion included whether “there’s enough room for a dog park and what’s required in order for a dog park to be there.” The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 7pm. Information about how to join the meeting will be on Nextdoor, or people can reach out to [email protected] for more information.
BMS Paper
Jennifer Uhrnae said that “we haven’t heard anything in quite some time from Bob Harrington, the owner” of BMS Paper, which is located at 3390 Washington St. Harrington had proposed to expand his current business as well as construct about 160 residential units and a new restaurant.
Uhrhane said she reached out to Harrington to see if she could get an update, and reported that he told her “he hasn’t been able to get anywhere with the BPDA,” she said.
Formerly Doyle’s
Paige Sparks said that the Doyle’s project has been approved by the Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA), with a proviso that the developers work with the Boston Transportation Department (BTD) on some issues they had with traffic that were also shared by residents.