The Hubway bike-share system is a profit-maker for the City and the Oregon company that operates it, a Gazette review of the program’s finances has found. For the fiscal year 2012, the City collected $173,835 in profit, all of which was funneled back into expanding the system, according to Boston Bikes Director Nicole Freedman....
Primera fase del desarrollo de Jackson terminada
JACKSON SQ.— El edificio multiuso de 225 Centre Street—la primera fase de la renovación de Jackson Square—ha sido construido. El edificio con su etiqueta de $52 millones tiene 103 apartamentos, incluso 35 de bajo ingreso, y un piso de venta al público, aunque todavía no han seleccionado las tiendas. Mientras tanto, el agente inmobiliario...
Advocate proposes new bus yard location
A member of the Community Planning Committee for the Arborway Yard (CPCAY) has proposed moving the entire bus yard facility a mile away from the Forest Hills area to the American Legion Highway. The state is now studying the feasibility of the move. Allan Ihrer, a long-time member of the CPCAY, has proposed building...
No public input mandated on bike-share sites
By John Ruch and Peter Shanley/Gazette Staff While the Hubway bike-share stations use public streets and sidewalks, no public input into their locations is required under its operating contract—though financial sponsors can weigh in. Some Hubway locations and limited public input into them have been controversial in Jamaica Plain and other neighborhoods. The Gazette...
Historic homes signs planned for Sumner Hill
The Sumner Hill Association (SHA) is readying mini-history lessons about houses in the neighborhood. The “If This House Could Talk” project, recently announced in the SHA’s newsletter, would post signs outside notable houses with brief facts about their history. “We’ve got such an incredible amount of history in our neighborhood. You walk past things...
Governor hopefuls to speak at JP forum
Three Democratic hopefuls to win the Governor’s Office next year will answer questions at a Dec. 4 forum staged at Doyle’s Café by local progressive organizations. Joe Avellone, Donald Berwick and Juliette Kayyem will appear separately at the forum, which is being held by JP Progressives and Jamaica Plain Forum. The organizations were slated...
Domino’s makes another pass at JP
EGLESTON SQ.—Domino’s Pizza is hoping to be third time lucky in its attempts to open a franchise in Jamaica Plain. Domino’s will be on the agenda for the next Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council’s (JPNC) Zoning Committee meeting on December 4. The national chain pizzeria is hoping to open a franchise at 3203-3213 Washington St....
We Are Hair names contest winners, expands
We Are Hair, a hair salon at 708 Centre St., has awarded three JP residents with months of free haircuts following an unusual contest to celebrate its second anniversary. Last month’s contest was designed around 20 photos of the salon employees in various unidentified locations around the neighborhood. The winners were selected from the...
JP Observer: One small neighborhood, many major issues
Wow! I knew JP’s Stonybrook neighborhood was active, but I was shocked when I moved to this dense, friendly neighborhood between Forest Hills, Franklin Park and Washington Street. I had heard and read about the issues facing my new neighbors, but I didn’t realize how large and complex they are until they were in...
1st Jackson Sq. redevelopment project completed
JACKSON SQ.—The $52 million mixed-use development at 225 Centre St.—the first phase in the redevelopment of Jackson Square—has finished construction. The development has 103 apartments, including 35 affordable housing units, and retail space, though no stores have been selected yet. Meanwhile, the developer for the project said some residential- and minority-hiring goals were met...
JP Birth Notice
Gazette reporter Rebeca Oliveira and husband Martin Schmidheiny welcomed daughter Vivian Ivy on Sept. 17, 2013. JP parents can send birth notices to news@jamaicaplaingazette.com.
Walsh won the JP vote
Mayor-Elect Marty Walsh, who placed fifth in the Jamaica Plain vote during the preliminary election in September, bounced back to be the neighborhood’s top vote-getter in the Nov. 5 general election. The reversal may lay at the feet of At-Large City Councilor Felix Arroyo. The Jamaica Plain resident was a former rival who endorsed...
Egleston Main Streets head takes City job
Egleston Square Main Streets (ESMS) Executive Director Betsy Cowan is leaving her position after five years. Cowan will join the City’s Office of Business Development starting mid-December. “This is bittersweet, given the love I have for this community, the great work we’re doing, and the amazing network of relationships here, but I’m enthusiastic about...
Casey project timeline delayed
At the last community design meeting for the Casey Arborway project on Nov. 19, the state design team announced a slightly delayed schedule. A main hold-up has the Shea Square design, which is still under Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) review. The project is expected to be put out to bid in late January instead...
Bella Luna marks 20 years in JP
Bella Luna/Milky Way Restaurant & Lounge is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with parties, T-shirts and Prince. Founded in Hyde Square in 1993 by Kathie Mainzer, Charlie Rose and Carol Downs to create community through food, art and entertainment, Bella Luna/Milky Way moved in 2009 is now located in the Brewery Complex at...
Sights and Sounds, Nov. 22, 2013
The deadline for listings is noon, Tues., Dec. 3 for the Dec. 6 issue. Send listings to reporter@jamaicaplaingazette.com. Note: 617 should be dialed before numbers below, unless another area code is given. Special Events Holiday Wreath Sales, Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, Saturdays 10am-4pm, Sundays noon-4pm, Loring-Greenough House, 12 South St. Annual...
Invitación, Nov. 22, 2013
La entrega para la lista de Invitación es al mediodía, el 3 de diciembre para la publicación del 6 de diciembre. Manda a reporter@jamaicaplaingazette.com. Atención: Marca el 617 antes de los números que salen abajo. Reuniones Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council, reunión mensual, agenda incluye reportes de comités y vacancias, 26 nov, 7pm, First Baptist...
Holidays in JP: Secret Recipes: Ian’s Rosemary Roasted Vegetables
The Gazette asked various JP people and institutions to share their favorite holiday recipes. Whole Foods Market at 413 Centre St. offered the following: A Jamaica Plain resident for 15 years, Ian St. Germain’s love of cooking with fresh local ingredients brought him to Whole Foods Market a year-and-a-half ago, where he has been...
Holidays in JP: Farmers market offers new ideas for cranberries
Egleston Farmers Market will host a “Cranberry Slam,” featuring a local chef, on Nov. 23 to highlight the Thanksgiving Day staple. Three chefs, including Executive Chef Eric Cooper of Jamaica Plain’s Ten Tables restaurant, will demonstrate their recipes for cranberry sauce. Ingredients and locally grown cranberries will be available at the market. “This crop...
Holidays in JP: ‘A Carol Christmas’ family show returns
The “A Carol Christmas” theater show, one of Jamaica Plain’s most popular holiday traditions, returns to the Footlight Club for its 12th year on Dec. 6 and 7. Part musical, part comedy and part improv, the family-friendly show raises money America’s oldest community theater, The Footlight Club, at 7A Eliot St. The show is...
Holidays in JP: BAPA holiday decorations coming
The Jamaica Plain Business & Professional Association (BAPA) will organize a window decoration competition for local businesses again this year, President Brad Brown told the Gazette. “It will take the same format as last year, with judges walking around,” he said. “We’re trying to time it so it coincides with the City’s” holiday activities....