NorthEndWaterfront.com
News & Views for Boston's North End & Waterfront Community
The City of Boston has proposed an energy scoring ordinance that would rate condominiums, apartments and commercial buildings with an eye toward impacting property valuations so that owners are incentivized to invest in energy saving technologies. The Greater Boston Real Estate Board has come out strongly against the proposed ordinance questioning its energy scoring effectiveness [...]
The Euclid winter nor’easter brought fierce wind and rain to Boston along with a wicked high tide to the North End waterfront, as shown here at the now famous Lewis Wharf houseboat marina. These images are under consideration for the next houseboat rental brochure and one of the latest examples of sea level rise in Boston [...]
“Boston’s Waterfront After Hurricane Sandy,” was the featured discussion topic at the 2012 annual meeting of The Boston Harbor Association, held on November 27, 2012. Speaking on the environmental issue of sea level rise and its future impact on Boston’s waterfront were TBHA President Vivien Li and UNH Professor Dr. Paul Kirshen. Summary video timeline: [...]
If you live in downtown Boston, you’re already living a green life. You probably walk more than you drive. About half of us don’t even own a car. Most likely, you’re living in an old building. That’s the greenest place to live since someone has repaired and restored the building rather than tearing it down [...]
During Monday’s high tide, the North End waterfront saw the impact of Hurricane Sandy’s storm surge and rising sea levels with extensive flooding in some areas. Long Wharf and the Harborwalk behind Langone Park seemed to take the worst of it with Boston Harbor waves crashing over the sea walls. At this point, long-term damage [...]
Tweets about “#Earthquake #Boston” Where were you when the earthquake happened? It was 7:12 p.m., when the 4.0 magnitude earthquake was felt throughout Boston, including the North End / Waterfront. The epicenter was about 30 miles from Portland, Maine at a depth of 3.1 miles. See the details on the U.S. Geological Survey website. Worried? [...]
Here is a great opportunity to help The Boston Harbor Association raise money and qualify for Boston Foundation grants through the 36 Hour Giving Common Challenge starting Wednesday October 10th at 8:00 am and ending on Thursday, October 11th at 8:00 pm. Credit card donations can be made from $25 on up. Over $150,000 in [...]
Despite the ongoing renovations, the New England Aquarium has put together an impressive lineup of lecture speakers this Fall. We also note several North End / Waterfront neighbors are featured, including David Arnold‘s Double Exposure: Photographing Environmental Change with NEAQ President, Bud Ris on November 15th. Also, neighbor John Carlson is sponsoring the MIT Lorenz [...]
Have you ever wondered what happens to your recycling after its picked up? The folks at the Mayor’s Hotline get recycling questions all the time, so they found out first hand on Wednesday by visiting the Casella Recycling Plant in Charlestown. “The plant was absolutely fascinating,” said Janine Coppola, Director of the Mayor’s Call Center. [...]
The Boston Conservation Commission voted 5-0 this week to approve a Notice of Intent from Boston Boat Basin, LLC, to relocate existing and install new piles and floats at the marina. Boston Boat Basin, LLC owns Boston Yacht Haven at 87 Commercial Wharf and is controlled by Charles “Chuck” Lagasse who was present at the [...]
Are you missing the fuzzy, long-tailed, beady-eyed rodents? According to residents, the earthly creatures are few and far between these days and showing up much less than at this time last year. The update came at Tuesday night’s meeting with John Meany, Director of Environmental Services at the City’s Inspectional Services Department. The meeting was [...]
Circle the City will close Surface Road along the Rose Kennedy Greenway as well as State Street and part of Congress Street on Sunday, August 5, 2012 from 10am – 1pm. Activities are scheduled along the route geared toward fitness, biking, scavenger hunt and green living. See the map and schedule below and the pdf [...]
Sea level rise as a result of climate change and global warming is a regular news headline here in Boston and worldwide. (See the recent UMass Boston report and the Boston waterfront real estate view). Every national academy of science reporting to a major government and 97 percent of the most frequently published climatologists say [...]
Are waterfront buyers ignoring the likelihood of sea level rise in the real estate market? That is the question that Scott Van Voorhis asks in this week’s Banker & Tradesman. As sea levels rise, the Hub and other coveted coastal communities will soon face an even more challenging marketing problem as once-desirable waterfront neighborhoods suddenly [...]
This commentary recently came in from a Mirabella Pool regular that wants to raise the issue of smoking at the pool. I am a North End resident and enjoy everything the North End has to offer including the beautiful pool. However, why is it that people think they can just smoke even though there are [...]
Many have recently admired the revitalized, blooming garden on the corner of Commercial and Fleet Streets, thanks to the efforts and contributions from North End / Waterfront residents and the property owner at 240 Commercial Street. The space is widely viewed by neighbors that walk by the area where Commercial St. meets Atlantic Ave. In [...]
With sea level rise in the news this week, neighbor Ann Moritz reminds us this is happening today, as shown in these photos of flooding on the waterfront around Long Wharf during the tides last Fall. By the time the end of Long Wharf legal status is determined, it could be an underwater park.
The Globe reports on a new study out this week showing the North End / Waterfront and much of Boston is likely to feel the worst of sea level rise as local tide levels “are rising three to four times faster than the global average.” Boston’s sea levels are forecasted to rise by 2 to [...]
Boston Bruins defenseman, Andrew Ference, has often been seen around town supporting North End causes and, of course, celebrating last year’s win by bringing the Stanley Cup to the neighborhood and holding a flash mob. More recently, Ference joined in this upcoming episode (airs June 25, 2012) of National Geographic’s “Beyond the Puck” with Massachusetts [...]
In a full day of Harborwalk activities, the New England Aquarium celebrated World Ocean’s Day on Sunday, June 3, 2012. The Aquarium’s own whale research vessel was on public display with a tent full of exhibits and demonstrations. Shown below are some photos from the event. Photos by Matt Conti
The discussion surrounding Commercial Wharf, Yacht Haven and the Harborwalk continues at the June 6, 2012 hearing of the Boston Conservation Commission, scheduled for 6:00 pm in Room 801 of Boston City Hall. See this post for an update from the last meeting. The full agenda is shown below with North End / Waterfront items [...]
Phyllis Rugnetta, Mary Giuffreda, and Nancy Caruso joined fellow North End resident Frank Ania for a game of bocce on the North End waterfront. This 1998 photo is included in the Globe’s gallery associated with the May 13, 2012 article, “The Boston Waterfront has Arrived.” View the entire gallery. Tom Keane writes “The Boston Waterfront [...]
Boston Business Journal’s Thomas Grillo, writes an executive profile, “Vivien Li: Waterfront Champion“: If you like having access to Boston Harbor, thank Vivien Li. For two decades, the president of the Boston Harbor Association has been making sure developers who build on the waterfront meet the state regulations that require an accessible harbor. At 5 [...]
At this week’s May 2, 2012 meeting of the Boston Conservation Commission, it was announced that the Department of Environmental Protection will be scheduling a Chapter 91 / Harborwalk meeting between the stakeholders at the Commercial Wharf complex, a mixed use property located off Atlantic Ave. in the North End. Key stakeholders involved in a [...]
The Boston Harbor Association is bringing several waterfront non-profits together in a series of events and summer-long programs to raise awareness about Boston’s waterfront attractions. Through efforts from LevelUp and SCVNGR, visitors can use a mobile app to explore and do location-based challenges. A free mobile app will also allow customers to use their smartphones [...]
The Boston Harbor Association and Friends held its 19th Annual Boston Harbor Celebration & Auction to benefit TBHA’s Harbor Advocacy efforts and Harbor Education programs for Boston-area youths. The banner event was held on Monday, April 23, 2012 at the Boston Harbor Hotel. Generous contributions and auction donations will support TBHA’s free programs for urban [...]
PUBLIC HEARING In accordance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, M.G.L. Chapter 131, Section 40, the Boston Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing in Boston City Hall, Room 801 on April 18, 2012 to review the following projects to determine what conditions, if any, the Commission will impose in order to protect the interests [...]
Equity Office’s Rowes Wharf has requested an advisory opinion from the State’s Environmental regulator, MEPA, regarding whether or not a replacement, repair and expansion of a maritime float project would require further environmental review. A letter was sent on March 9, 2012 from Fort Point Associates, Jamie Fay, the consultant representing the project proponent. The [...]
The Harborwalk at Commercial Wharf continues to be in dispute with the latest shots fired at a hearing last night by the Boston Conservation Commission (ConComm). Boston Boat Basin, LLC, owner of 87 Commercial Wharf and Boston Yacht Haven, ran into ConComm’s displeasure with the near decade-long abutter arguments regarding the extension of a public [...]
Update from the Boston Groundwater Trust: It’s February. The days are getting longer, spring training is only a few weeks away, and we have completed our first round of well readings for the year. The dry weather has had an impact on groundwater levels, with the average level in the core section of wells that [...]
Conversation with James Hunt, City of Boston Chief of Environmental and Energy Services The city’s chief spoke to the North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA) regarding a wide range of issues relating to the environment and energy use, including groundwater and recycling. Mr. Hunt oversees the Inspectional Services Department and the Environment Department, serves [...]
Requests by Contrada’s on Hanover St., Nick Varano’s Famous Deli on Cross St. and 9 Noyes Pl. all receive supportive votes from NEWRA members. The City’s Environmental Chief also communicates with the neighborhood.
I’m referring to what is, arguably, one of the most trafficked and busy intersections in the North End: Salem and Parmenter Streets. The open area owned by the city is currently an eyesore and collection point for trash from several neighboring buildings in clear violation of trash rules, and constant truck parking in clear violation [...]
News from the New England Aquarium: I have some exciting news to share with you! A new Aquarium experience is coming to Central Wharf. This September the Aquarium will launch a $15 million revitalization program, starting with a complete renovation of our spectacular four-story Caribbean coral reef exhibit—the Giant Ocean Tank. The Giant Ocean Tank, [...]
PUBLIC HEARING In accordance with the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, M.G.L. Chapter 131, Section 40, the Boston Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing in Boston City Hall, Room 801 on February 1, 2012 to review the following projects to determine what conditions, if any, the Commission will impose in order to protect the interests [...]
Residents and businesses at or near Commercial Wharf will be interested in these recent public filings at the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The primary stakeholders are Boston Boat Basin, LLC, owners of Yacht Haven marina, and the condominium association at Commercial Wharf. In addition, there is an ongoing dispute regarding Harborwalk access and parking [...]