Boston Mayor Martin Walsh stopped by Jamaica Plain’s Brewer-Burroughs playground on Brewer Street last week on his yearly Community Coffee Hour tour.
He spoke briefly to the small crowd about increased funding for city parks, including adding a proposed $20 million to the capital budget and adding another $20 million for park cleaning and maintenance.
Walsh also spoke about the City’s proposed housing plan for the year 2030. His main focus is on “workforce” housing for “folks who make $40,000 to $100,000 a year,” Walsh said. But, he added, “We have to make sure we also do low-income housing.”
Walsh did not specify any target number of units for that income bracket.
Walsh spent several minutes talking with youths carrying signs and cell phone cameras about the City’s Summer Youth Jobs program and ways to increase that funding.
Walsh also heard concerns from residents about the proposed West Roxbury gas line; gas leaks around the city; proposed extended days for public schools; and concerns about pedestrian and bicycle safety.
When the Gazette asked Walsh’s opinion on the possibility that Boston 2024 will withdraw its Olympics bid, a possible move widely discussed in the media at that time, Walsh said he had not heard anything of the sort.
“I think they’re moving forward,” he said. “I think they’re coming out with a plan in the next few weeks” that will have new information on venues and financial details.
City Councilor Matt O’Malley, who was also present, told the Gazette, “Clearly, there have been a lot of missteps by Boston 2024.”
“I’ve read reports that the [International Olympic Committee] isn’t impressed,” he said.
Mayor Martin Walsh speaks to Roy James-Daley about youth summer jobs on May 28. (Gazette Photo by Rebeca Oliveira)