I have lived on Iffley Road for three years, directly across the street from the proposed Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program facility at 461 Walnut Ave. I love my neighborhood. It has economic and cultural diversity, and my neighbors are caring, thoughtful and engaged. We warn each other about street-cleaning, and chat about sports, gardening and, most...
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Letter: Homeless care opposition is sickening
If anything proves that Jamaica Plain has become a selfish, gentrified community, it is the opposition to the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation/Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program housing at 461 Walnut Ave. (“Homeless care project is back in court,” March 2). How the 11 litigants can sleep at night or even look...
Letter: Yes to homeless facility
Yes in my back yard. As a JP resident, I am still in full support of the plan to make the former Barbara McInnis House into a respite care facility (“Homeless care project is back in court,” March 2). If it weren’t for housing options when I was growing up, we would have ended up...
Letter: NIMBYism, not the homeless, is the local threat
I would like to express my personal support and that of the nonprofit Rogerson Communities for the redevelopment of the former Barbara McInnis House as presented by the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation (“Homeless care project is back in court,” March 2). Not only am I a long-term resident of Jamaica Plain now residing...
Sights and Sounds, 3/16/2012
The deadline for listings is noon, March 27 for the March 30 issue. Send listings to [email protected] Note: 617 should be dialed before numbers below, unless another area code is given. Special Events Casino Day trips, cost include bus rides and other amenities. Sat., Sun., March 18: Newport Playhouse for ‘Never Get Smart with...
Agenda, 3/16/12
The deadline for JP Agenda listings is noon, March 27 for the March 30 issue. Send listings to [email protected] Note: 617 should be dialed before numbers below, unless another area code is given. Meetings BPS school choice meetings, Mon., March 19 & April 23, 6pm: External Advisory Committee roundtable discussion. Sat. March 31, 11am-2pm:...
Invitación, 3/16/12
La entrega para la lista de Invitación es al mediodía, el 27 de marzo para la publicación del 30 de marzo. Mandar a [email protected] Nota: hay que marcar 617 antes de los números que salen abajo, si no tiene otro número. Reuniones Reuniones para escoger una escuela BPS, lunes, 19 marzo & 23 abril,...
Overpass to be replaced by surface street network
FOREST HILLS—After months of delay and speculation, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) has decided that the Casey Overpass will be replaced by an at-grade street network and not a new bridge. The decision was confirmed to the Gazette today by MassDOT spokesperson Michael Verseckes. Community meetings are slated for later this month. “[The...
Police seek suspects in McDonald’s robbery
EGLESTON SQ.—The Boston Police Department has released descriptions of two suspects in a Feb. 25 armed robbery of the McDonald’s restaurant at 3064 Washington St. The two men reportedly ate at the restaurant, then returned around 11 p.m. They entered through a back door and brandished a pistol while robbing the restaurant. The pistol...
Suspect arrested in 7-Eleven homicide
HYDE SQ.—A suspect in last year’s stabbing death of a Jamaica Plain man in the 7-Eleven parking lot was arrested yesterday by Boston Police officers and charged with murder. Kenneth Soto, 19, was killed during an early-morning fight at the 451 Centre St. convenience store on Oct. 16. The man charged in the killing...
State misses overpass decision deadline
FOREST HILLS—The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) missed its own deadline this week for making the decision about the Casey Overpass replacement project. There is no new timeline for an announcement and MassDOT offered no explanation for the further delay. “We’re still looking to make a decision soon,” MassDOT spokesperson Michael Verseckes told the...
Park horses try to avoid the sunset ride
The Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit—stabled at Franklin Park—is once again trying to avoid a sunset ride into retirement. An upcoming fund-raiser, organized by the Friends of the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit, is aimed at keeping the horses on the force for another year. While the City pays the salaries of the 12...
Presidential primary is March 6
The U.S. presidential primary election in Massachusetts will be held March 6. It will help to select the nominees for the Democratic, Green and Republican parties in the November presidential election. Incumbent President Barack Obama is the only Democrat on his party’s ballot. The Republican ballot will include active candidates Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul,...
Primaria presidencial 6 de marzo
La primaria presidencial en Massachusetts tendrá lugar el 6 de marzo. Ayudará a eligir los nominados para los partidos democrático, verde y republicano en la elección presidencial de noviembre. El titulado Barack Obama es el único demócrata en la boleta. La boleta republicana incluyirá candidatos activos Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, y Rick...
Illicit chickens ruffle neighbors’ feathers
While the process to legally welcome chickens into the Boston cityscape has begun, makes Jamaica Plain chicken-keepers happy, it may raise concerns with their neighbors. A JP resident who lives near an illicit chicken-keeper spoke to the Gazette about how it has created tension between herself and her neighbor. She asked to remain anonymous...
Jackson Square development receives funds
JACKSON SQ.—The 225 Centre St. development recently received $46.8 million in funding from MassHousing, New Market Tax Credits and union pension funds. The project, which will create 103 new apartments along with retail and commercial space, is the first part of a $250 million redevelopment in Jackson Square. The 225 Centre St. development is...
BHA: Bromley TMC had no contract, no ‘heir’
JACKSON SQ.—The Bromley-Heath housing development’s Tenant Management Corporation (TMC) had no existing management contract and no “heir apparent” to follow its retiring leader, sparking the Boston Housing Authority’s (BHA) surprise takeover, the Gazette has learned. Led by Mildred Hailey for 40 years, the TMC drew national attention for its groundbreaking model of tenant-operated public...
Housing project to get advisory group
S. HUNTINGTON AVE.—The giant apartment project proposed for the Home for Little Wanderers site will be reviewed by an advisory group being formed by the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA). Boston Residential Group is proposing to demolish the existing buildings at the Home site at 161 S. Huntington Ave. and erecting a new building with...
Homeless care project is back in court
PARKSIDE—The lawsuit about a proposed care and housing facility for the homeless on Walnut Avenue is in appeal, after a failed round of negotiations between the developers and neighbors. Both sides refused offers to settle out of court. JPNDC offered to donate an undisclosed amount to the Friends of the Egleston Square Library and...
Police Spotlight: Burglaries return to JP South
The area of the Arborway, Jamaica Street and St. Rose Street, which had a string of burglaries last fall, is seeing another increase in residential break-ins. Most of the crimes have been committed by people who walk around the neighborhood and knock on doors until they find a residence with no one home. They...
AIDS Action opens pharmacy
The AIDS Action Committee is teaming up with MOMS Pharmacy to provide a one-stop facility at its Amory Street location in Jackson Square for people living with HIV and AIDS. “It’s more comprehensive than other social or medical organizations that are in isolation,” said John Gatto, vice president of programs at AIDS Action. “We...
Whole Foods seeks seating area
HYDE SQ.—Whole Foods Market is seeking to add a seating area for in-store dining. The grocery store at 413 Centre St. recently posted a petition that customers could sign in support of seating, though it is unable to say how many seats it is seeking or what permits are required, spokesperson Heather McCready told...