NorthEndWaterfront.com

Fundraiser Set for Friends of the North End Branch Library on March 8, 2012

NorthEndWaterfront.com — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 07:04:17 +0000

Click here to purchase tickets online.

Extensive Vandalism on the North End’s Harborwalk

Matt Conti — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:38:01 +0000

A concerned resident sends in this disturbing account of extensive vandalism on Monday night, Presidents’ Day at the North End’s Puopolo and Langone parks by a large group of young individuals drinking on the Harborwalk. After the photos, the same resident provides an update on the response by City officials.

Approximately 8:45 PM last night (Monday 02/20) I walked the North End Harbor Walk section between the Mirabella swimming pool and the Steriti skating Rink. As I walked along the bocce courts and tot lot toward the water from Commercial Street, I came across a few broken beer bottles on the walkway. Then, I encountered a very large group, approximately 18-24 individuals, congregated and drinking on the large flat section adjacent to the basketball court.

Early this morning (Tuesday 02/21), I walked the same route and noted additional broken bottles along the same walkway and within the confines of the tot lot. When I arrived at the skating rink I encountered the scene that is depicted in the attached photos. I did not walk along the water side of the skating rink but I could see that the litter and bottles extended along the grass in that area. See photos.

All of the broken glass and litter occurred after 8:45 PM last night and approximately 6:45 AM this morning;
The damage to the public toilet also occurred overnight;
The benches along the walkway have gone missing over the past weekend. As you can see, they have been thrown into the water immediately adjacent to the seawall. A third bench can be found along the seawall just a few yards beyond the two depicted in the images. Each of these benches easily can be retrieved, pressure washed, and put back into service. My suggestion is that they be installed in cement rather than asphalt;
Missing items from the tot lot (a SeaHorse on a large spring, and several chairs) also can be found along the seawall and in the water immediately behind the tot lot. Again, these items can be recovered easily, pressure washed and put back into service.
The broken tree branch is also recent and may be due to a truck backing into it – see long scrape along the branch.

The congregation of large groups of young people who drink, litter and vandalize this specific section of the Harbor Walk – between the tot lot and the North Washington Street Bridge - is out of control. It is a recurring and ongoing problem. Residents are afraid to walk along this section at night and the broken glass presents all kinds of problems for runners, tourists, children, bike riders, dog walkers, etc.

It seems to me that a prevention plan needs to be implemented – City property is being vandalized and littered. How difficult would it be to have a motorcycle officer, bicycle officer or Park Ranger (City and/or State) drive through this area of the Harbor Walk on an hourly basis from sundown to midnight or 1AM?

It is interesting to note that the site of last night’s vandalism was selected by the MA-DCR Commissioner for his website photo. No one will be standing there to take photos today.

A follow up report from the same resident:

Thank you one and all for contacting City of Boston officials about the condition of our neighborhood park and harbor walk. We certainly got their attention and they responded immediately. The tree branch was removed, all litter and glass were picked up, and the tot lot was cleared of broken glass and empty liquor bottles by 12:30 PM.

I hope that the jettisoned park benches, tot lot furniture and playground equipment will be recovered at low tide. Stay tuned.

Thank you, one and all. And please remember to thank our fantastic Parks Dept. maintenance and grounds keeping team for their work throughout the year.

No related posts.

Travel Channel Features North End’s Italian Ice and Gelato

Matt Conti — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:40:28 +0000

Bobby Eustace from Polcari’s Coffee serves up Italian Ice to the Travel Channel’s Andrew Zimmem who then heads over to Caffe Paradiso to see Antoinette and Adrianna DeStefano. (Watch the full clip.)

Also, see Maria’s Pastry in a separate Travel Channel clip with the Top 5 Highlights in Boston.

H/T to Matt Black for emailing us the link.

Capobianco Announces Candidacy for Democratic State Committee

Matt Conti — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 06:35:43 +0000

The following is a press release from Valentino Capobianco.
Contact: (617)620-6549 tcapobianco@gmail.com

CAPOBIANCO ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE

Valentino Capobianco, Male College Representative to the Democratic State Committee today formally announced his candidacy for Democratic State Committeeman representing the first Suffolk and Middlesex Senate district. Capobianco will appear on the Democratic Presidential primary ballot on March 6^th, 2012.

Capobianco is a lifelong Democrat who believes in the values of hard-working people throughout the Commonwealth. “Now more than ever, the interests of everyday people need to be felt in the highest levels of our government. I firmly believe our leaders should continue to represent the interests of real people who strive to get by day after day.” said Capobianco “I plan on taking those interests with me to each and every meeting I attend.”

Having served on the Democratic State Committee since 2008, Capobianco is in a unique position to use his experience as an asset to the committee. Capobianco said, “My time on the State Committee over the past four years has equipped me with the proper experience to serve as the Committeeman representing this Senate district.” As the College representative, Capobianco worked tirelessly to make the concerns of college students heard by leaders of the Democratic Party. “I want to take that experience and turn it into results for people throughout the first Suffolk and Middlesex district.”

Capobianco was born in East Boston, and is currently a resident of the Town of Winthrop. The Capobianco family is originally from the Maverick Square projects and later moved to Falcon Street in Eagle Hill. Capobianco attended the Curtis Guild School, Samuel Adams School, and Umana Barnes Middle School and went on to graduate from Winthrop High School. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree in American Government and Politics from Suffolk University, and currently works as a Legislative Aide to Speaker Robert A. DeLeo. Capobianco has served on the Winthrop Democratic Town Committee since 2008. Valentino Capobianco is the best candidate in the race for the North End.

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NorthEndWaterfront.com does not endorse political candidates. We publish news releases from candidates that are relevant to our coverage area.

North End Friends of St. Francis House Schedule Annual Flea Market for March 16 and 17

John Romano — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:38:59 +0000

Start Spring Cleaning Early!!

The North End Friends of St. Francis House will have their Annual Flea Market & Bake Sale on Friday March 16th from 9am to 6pm and Sat March 17th from 9am to 1pm at the Nazzaro Center. We are looking for our friends and neighbors to donate items for our Flea Market. House hold items, toys, books, CD’s DVD’s, collectables, small tables, umbrella stands, coat racks, magazines racks, jewelry, knick knacks, etc. PLEASE NO CLOTHES. Items can be dropped off at the Nazzaro Center starting on Monday March 13th.

If you would like to donate a baked good, you can drop it off Thursday night March 15th between 5pm and 8pm or on Friday anytime.

Last year we raised approximately $8,000 and it was matched by an anonymous donor, this year we would like to match that or do better. So your help is appreciated!!

THANK YOU,

Bread Baking in the North End – A Bostoniano.info Series

Matt Conti — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 20:59:27 +0000

The true night owls of the North End are the bread bakers that fill the restaurants’ breadbaskets and also sell bread (and more) to residents and visitors through their neighborhood retail shops. Revealing the dough story, from old to new, is Bostoniano.info’s Nicola Orichula who publishes a 4-part series on the people behind the North End bread bakeries. The series includes Parziale’s Bakery, Bricco Panetteria, Boschetto Bakery, Bova’s & Sons and Bricco Panetteria.

Parziale’s Bakery

Augustine "Augie" Parziale (Bostoniano.info photo)

The Parziales have been baking bread in Boston since 1907, when Giuseppe “Joe” Parziale came from Italy with his wife Anna and opened a small bakery on Charter Street. Many things in the neighborhood have changed since then, including the bakery’s address — which is now 80 Prince Street — but the Parziale family still churns out crunchy loaves of Bastone just like it did back in the day. Read the full article at Bostoniano.info.

Bricco Panetteria – Next to 241 Hanover St.

Bricco Panetteria - Bakers Ben Tuck (right) and Sergio Oliveira (Bostoniano.info photo)

“We do everything in-house,” says long-time North End restauranteur Frank DePasquale, “except for our own linen. What we were missing, though, was a bakery that could provide bread for all our restaurants. Now Bricco Panetteria serves that purpose, and it also provides bread for people stopping by wanting to buy it.” Buying bread at Bricco Panetteria adds the value of actually seeing where and how the bread is made, as the one room environment provides the opportunity to take in all the essence and magic of bread making. Read the full article at Bostoniano.info.

Boschetto Bakery – 158 Salem St.

Boschetto Bakery opens its door at 7 a.m., owner and head baker Bartolomeo De Stefano takes off his work clothes and makes his way back home after a long night of work. “My entire life, I have never worked during the day,” says Bart, who has owned the bakery on 158 Salem Street for over 10 years. The bakery has been on the site making bread and cookies for over 110 years. Read the full article at Bostoniano.info.

Bova’s & Sons Bakery – 132 Salem St.

Bova's Bakery, opened in 1932 (Bostoniano.info photo)

Maintaining a family business for 80 years isn’t simple. It’s even harder if there are three different owners. The Bova family, though, has devised a system that has been working ever since the bakery was split up among three sons of Antonio Bova, the founder of Bova’s & Sons on the corner of Salem and Prince streets. Read the full article at Bostoniano.info.

Video: Libiamo Chorus from La Traviata – NEMPAC Italian Opera Concert – February 2012

Matt Conti — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:31:38 +0000

Video: “Libiamo” Chorus from La Traviata
Violetta throws a lavish party to celebrate the recovery of her illness. Alfredo proposes his desire for Violetta and the crowd rouses celebration with a toast. Violetta: Sherri Snow, Alfredo: Fred VanNess, Chorus: Rebecca-Rapoport-Cole, Aleandra Dietrich, Abigail Krawson, Daniel Cyr, Marquis Fuse

Over 130 music lovers cheered at the Italian Opera Concert on Friday night at the Old North Church! The performance was held by NEMPAC, the North End Music & Performing Arts Center and raised money for their Scholarship Fund. The concert itself was free and open to the public. A $15 donation was solicited to help fund student music scholarships.

Opera was once a part of everyday life in Italian culture. NEMPAC brings back this spirit of opera in Boston’s North End, one of the most historic Italian-American communities. –Sherri Snow, Director of NEMPAC 2012 Winter Concert Series

NEMPAC’s next concert is the String Chamber Music Concert on March 23rd! If you have questions or would like to know more about the Winter Concert Series, please contact Sherri at Ssnow@nempacboston.org.

About NEMPAC Organization
Our Mission: Our mission is to provide affordable arts-related programming to residents of the North End/Waterfront and the surrounding neighborhoods. By encouraging participation in the arts, we hope to strengthen relationships within the community and to enhance public safety.
Who We Are: The North End Music and Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC) is a private, non-profit corporation operating in the North End/Waterfront neighborhood of the City of Boston. www.nempacboston.org, 617-227-2270

Editor’s Note: Apologies for the poor audio quality in the video. I obviously have not mastered recording the wide range necessary for opera. I hope the video gives a sense of the performance flair, but take my word when I say it was ten times better in person.

More photos from the event are shown below.

(Click thumbnails to enlarge and start slideshow.)

Hanover St. Redesign Project Ideas Presented by Northeastern Engineering Students

Matt Conti — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:57:37 +0000

Video: Northeastern University “Essential Engineering” team presents Hanover Street Re-Design ideas on February 15, 2012.

Video Index:
00:00 Introduction by Stephanie Hogue, NEWRA President and Meeting Host
02:00 “Essential Engineering” Project Leader Matt Walsh, Northeastern University introduces the six person team and Senior Capstone Project assigned by Dr. Daniel Dulaski, PhD, PE. Other civil engineering students on the team in attendance: Oliver Nowalski, Rodrigo Alonso, Matt Ford, Steve Leeber and Steve Curtin.
06:50 The Hanover Street Experience
08:00 Project Goals and Scope
09:30 Sidewalks, Double-Parked Delivery Vehicles, Traffic Congestion, Seasonal Foot Traffic
11:00 Past Project Proposals – Pedestrian Mall, One-Way Street
12:30 Preliminary Design Considerations – Presented by Matt Ford
14:15 Sidewalk width and furniture, Street bulbouts for trees and trash cans
17:00 Seasonal portable sidewalks
19:00 Reallocate lane widths and cross section review
23:00 Street lights – LED, installing on buildings off sidewalks
24:30 Commercial vehicle parking
27:00 Valet access
30:00 Crosswalks
32:00 Bicycle Facilities
33:45 Resident Parking
36:00 Basketball Court Night Resident Parking
38:40 Project Schedule & Timeline – Northeastern Presentation: March 2, 2012, Semester end date: April 18, 2012
41:30 Question & Answer period starts
43:00 District 1 City Councilor Sal LaMattina provides input and feedback
52:00 Residents and business owners provide input and feedback

A group of senior civil engineering students at Northeastern University is taking on the hot subject of re-configuring Hanover Street. The Senior Capstone “Essential Engineering” team project is a required course, culminating their academic and co-operative experience. The transportation project, Hanover Street in Boston’s historic North End, includes evaluating, analyzing, and re-designing the street to satisfy the needs of all potential users while complementing the existing land uses.

The team will be considering ideas that have been previously vetted and we will also be using unconventional methods to complement the past, current, and future needs of the area, both from an economic standpoint, as well as a transportation infrastructure perspective.

The video shows the full presentation and Q&A period in response to the initial concept ideas presentation. The meeting was hosted by the North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association, NEWRA, on February 15, 2012 at the Nazzaro Community Center. The students also gave a brief update at the previous Neighborhood Council meeting on February 13, 2012. City Councilor Sal LaMattina, participated in the meeting, having previously suggested his own ideas on Hanover St.

The last significant proposal for a Hanover St. redesign was last year by the North End Chamber of Commerce.
View the Chronicle, TV5 segment on the Hanover St. one-way traffic proposal and neighborhood reaction.

The Northeastern Civil Engineering students will be returning later in the semester with more finalized ideas, leading up to a 300 page report with design drawings that will be made available to the public.

The team is soliciting input from officials, residents, and business owners. Contact them at eenortheasterncapstone@gmail.com.

Ask Toni & Maria – Real Estate Column #9

Toni Gilardi — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:20:12 +0000

“Ask Toni & Maria” is a real estate column written by Toni Gilardi and Maria DiTullio from Elite Boston Landmark Realty. Have them answer your questions in an upcoming column by emailing info@bostonlandmark.com.

Q) Hello Toni and Maria,

I’m a first time home buyer and I was wondering how much money should I put aside for closing cost?

Thank you, Michael

A) Hello Michael, The answer depends on what kind of mortgage terms and amount you have agreed to with your lender. The leader should provide you with a “truth and leading statement” that will reflect an accurate account of your closing cost.

It was a slow week for questions. Don’t be shy…We would love to hear from you! Send in your real estate questions to: info@bostonlandmark.com. And don’t forget to check out our website at www.bostonlandmark.com or call 617-227-1000 or 617 523-5400.

Townie Car Spotted on Charter Street Sidewalk

Matt Conti — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 03:55:22 +0000

Matthew in Boston posts a bunch of North End street photos on Flickr, including this one of a Charlestown resident’s car. He adds this caption: “License plate “TOWNIE” parked on a sidewalk. What can I say? Too perfect, really.”

Via Universal Hub and posted under Creative Commons.

Weekly Police Blotter: Pellet Gun Assault and Larceny

Matt Conti — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:15:28 +0000

Assault / Deadly Weapon
02/11/12 7:30pm
Male juvenile suspect went to a Prince st apt. and was involved in a altercation with 2 male juvenile victims. At this time the suspect pulled out a black pellet gun and threatened the victims with it , the victims were able to take the gun away from the suspect who fled the building. Det’s to follow up on the incident.

Larceny in a Building
02/13/12 1:24am
Male victim reports his laptop, black case and prescription medications were stolen from a Hanover St cigar bar by an unknown person.

NEWRA ZLC Committee Meeting Agenda for February 21, 2012

Matt Conti — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:37:44 +0000

Zoning, Licensing and Construction Committee
Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, February 21, 2012, 7:00 PM
Mariners House, 11 North Square

Zoning Appeals and License Applications

7:00 PM – 7:20 PM
139-143 Richmond Street (aka 188 North Street), David Veo, has filed an application with the Boston Board of Appeal to allow take-out service associated with his plans for a new sandwich shop in the first-floor retail space on North St.

7:20 PM – 7:30 PM
100 Fulton Street, Fulton Court Condominiums, application has been filed with the Board of Appeal to convert Unit 1A from commercial use to residential use.

7:30 PM – 7:50 PM
112 Fulton Street, Andrew McDonald has filed an appeal for zoning relief to allow enclosure of an exterior deck/balcony to increase living space.

7:50 PM – 8:10 PM
236 Hanover Street, Lucca Restaurant, has filed an application with the Boston Transportation Department for a valet parking permit.

Updates and Other Business
8:10 PM – 9:00 PM

· Bulfinch Triangle development projects and neighborhood supermarket
· Government Center Garage redevelopment project
· Disposition of the City of Boston Printing Building on North Street
· Amendment of the NEWRA Neighbor Notification Policy
· Follow-up on the discussion with James Hunt, Chief, Environmental and Energy Services, on February 9.

Neighborhood Council Tables Lucca Restaurant Valet Application

Matt Conti — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 08:18:03 +0000

After an extended discussion on February 13, 2012, the North End / Waterfront Neighborhood Council, NEWNC, tabled the valet parking permit application of Lucca Restaurant, 226 Hanover Street, to the Boston Transportation Department. Lucca currently shares a valet zone with Ristorante Fiore. View the video for details on the issue.

The following handout was provided to the Council regarding the hours and parking rules in the immediate area.

Update: North Bennet Street School and Eliot Parents Only Two Bidders For North & Richmond Street Buildings

Matt Conti — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 23:50:15 +0000

Only two bids were received by the City of Boston for the North and Richmond Street buildings up for sale in the North End, according to sources close to the situation. A property swap plus cash proposal was submitted by the North Bennet Street School and a “public interest” bid by the Eliot K-8 School Family Council that has been urging Boston Public Schools to expand its downtown school.

The Eliot parents’ bid was largely symbolic, so this is very good news for the North Bennet Street School as the only bidder likely to meet the RFP requirements. Importantly, it would also allow the City to use NBSS existing properties to expand the overcrowded Eliot School in phases as the NBSS refurbishes the vacant North and Richmond Street buildings.

The parents group might still question the timeline and commitment for the Boston Public Schools to expand the Eliot School, but the outcome for a short-term solution appears to be at hand for for an expansion of the K-8 to at least two full class strands.

After a month long marketing period and a property tour that garnered two dozen developers, it does not appear that any housing developers were interested in the properties. Or perhaps, developers did not want to compete in an RFP process that gave preference to a public purpose, such as the Eliot expansion.

Earlier in the day, the Eliot School Family Council issued a press release regarding its “public benefit” bid to move the K-8 public school currently on Charter St. to the properties at 150 North Street and 130-140 Richmond Street. The North Bennet Street School was also expected to submit its property swap plus cash bid by the February 16, 2012 first round deadline.

Symbolically bidding $704 for the properties assessed at $11.3 million, the parents’ bid includes $1 for each potential student that could attend an expanded Eliot School. In an interview and press release, Israel Ruiz, co-chair of the parents group, said the parents want to reach out to the Boston neighborhoods and city at-large to “make their case.”

“Due to the population boom taking place in the downtown neighborhoods of Boston, there is a substantial community need for our city to expand access to high quality public education.” said Israel Ruiz, ESFC Co-Chair. “We strongly believe that expanding access to the Eliot School offers a proven academic solution and that the City of Boston and Boston Public Schools should address this critical need before any decision is made on the sale of these large North End properties.”

The parents are also supporting a bid, including a property swap, by the North Bennet Street School, contingent on the existing NBSS buildings being used to expand the Eliot School. NBSS is a private trade school with a long history in the North End that is also looking for more space for its programs. The Eliot and NBSS buildings are around the block from each other in the North End.

“We remain open to exploring any and all solutions with the City of Boston, the Boston Public Schools and the North Bennet Street School, as long as the Eliot School’s untenable space issues are resolved in a way that enables our school to secure an adequate and effective learning environment for our children,” said Israel Ruiz, Co-Chair of the Eliot School K-8 Family Council.

150 North St. - Former Tunnel Building and A-1 Police Station (NorthEndWaterfront.com photo)

NBSS President, Miguel Gómez-Ibáñez, recently met with the parents and laid out a rough timeline of how, if his bid is successful, the trade school operations would move in phases to North St. With each phase, more space would become available for the Eliot classes. Through an agreement with NBSS, the Eliot School is using some classrooms there for the current school year to temporarily alleviate space issues at the public K-8 school. (See Eliot School Parents Hear From North Bennet Street School President About North St. Buildings, Potential Swap And Eliot Expansion.)

The parents’ are looking for three full “strands” of K-8 classes at the Eliot, with capacity to serve over 700 students. The current student population of the Eliot School is 320 students, up from just 175 in 2008 before a “second strand” of classes was added to meet demand. The added strand is about to reach 3rd grade this September and currently does not have space to grow. Even without the third strand, the existing programs are expected to require seats for over 400 students by 2017.

“I’ve seen the Eliot School population almost double in size since my children entered in 2008, yet the physical space remains static,” said Anne Occhipinti, whose daughter is in the Eliot School’s second strand class that will enter the third grade next fall. “I’m very concerned for my daughter that we could be facing more program cuts for next year – or worse – potential school reassignment, if the Eliot School is unable to secure more space by this September.”

Earlier this week, Eliot parent Mary Marenghi spoke at a Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) meeting in support of a petition being circulated to support the expansion plan. As of this writing, the petition has over 800 signatures. At the meeting, Councilor Jorge Mendoza, also an Eliot parent, expressed overcrowding concerns given the current state of the public K-8 school.

NEWNC has issued a letter of support, in line with the parents position as stated in the petition. The Residents’ Association (NEWRA) has not supported the petition effort, but previously wrote a letter in favor of the NBSS property swap proposal as the preferred way to expand the Eliot while also keeping the non-profit trade school in the North End.

Overseeing the bidding process by the City’s Property Management department is the Boston Finance Commission. No bids are expected to be revealed publicly by the City until it designates a winner. The Commission has been active in the process leading up to the current RFP. It could support a city plan to expand the Eliot School at the North St. buildings, but otherwise wants to “maximize the City’s return.” Part of that effort could include a second round where the top three bidders get to see the other proposals with a chance to re-bid. (See 150 North St. & 130 Richmond St. Buildings Sale Update from FinComm Meeting.)

Former City Printing Building, Up for Sale, at the Corner of North and Richmond Streets (NorthEndWaterfront.com photo)

Recognizing their proposal will not meet all of the RFP requirements, the Eliot parents are reaching out to other Downtown Boston neighborhoods that would also be served by a larger K-8 school in the North End. Notably, the City’s RFP includes language in support of responses with “a public purpose” benefiting city residents. The Eliot has a waiting list larger than its current student population, so a plan allowing for expansion of the public school certainly meets the standard of a community benefit.

City officials have commented in the press that the Eliot K-8 cannot be moved directly to the North St. buildings because it is too expensive for the city to renovate them. Some parents were surprised the option of a direct move had not been more seriously considered and questioned the city’s undisclosed estimates for renovation.

In addition to more families staying in the city, much of the demand for the Eliot comes from its strong reputation as one of the best public schools in Boston. Parents credit Principal Traci Walker Griffith with turning around the school and dramatically improving test scores. As other Boston Public Schools have been closed, the demand for seats at existing schools has increased. Only the North End’s Eliot and a small public school in Chinatown are available to serve the Downtown Boston neighborhoods. The BPS lottery and busing system also allocates about half of the Eliot’s capacity to students in other parts of the city.

Editor’s note: This post was updated with the final bidder information after it was originally published.

The Last Tenement: Exhibit

Duane Lucia — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:32:38 +0000

A guided tour of the West End Museum’s permanent exhibit, including their photographs, artifacts and archival materials that tell the story of the immigrant experience in the west end through the urban renewal of the 1960s and the displacement of the people there.

“The Last Tenement” exhibition, originally set up in 1992 at the Old State House by the Bostonian Society through a grant by the National Endowment for the Humanities and relocated to the West End Museum in 2006, is now permanently housed in its own dedicated 1100 square foot space.

The exhibit documents the history of the West End during the immigrant era from 1850 to 1958 – its topographical history, its architecture, its nineteenth-century blooming as a desirable residential area, its evolution into a densely populated urban district of working-class immigrants and a small community of middle-class professionals and students over twenty different ethnic backgrounds. The West End also is known nationally to generations of students of urban planning and sociology as a textbook example of negative results from the 1950s federal urban renewal program. The lesson learned from the razing of Boston’s West End have instructed city planners and spurred neighborhood activists to cope more successfully with urban problems.