It was standing room only on Dry Dock Avenue as The Boston Harbor Association celebrated its many accomplishments and programs at its December 6th Annual Meeting. The harbor advocacy group is moving forward after decades of work and near-completion of both the Boston Harbor cleanup and 47-mile Harborwalk. At the same time, the non-profit organization is preparing for the challenges ahead associated with sea level rise. At her first annual meeting, new Executive Director Julie Wornser summed up with the question of “How do we keep people connected to the harbor while keeping it out of the Boston subway system?”
The newly promoted and first TBHA President, Vivien Li, reviewed the past year’s efforts and gave an outlook for 2012. Following a ground-breaking forum on Sea Level Rise last year, TBHA organized a 2-day lecture series this Summer, “A Clean Boston Harbor: What Next?” Li also highlighted the recent openings of Harborwalk access for the Liberty Wharf and Atlantic Wharf developments as well as other harbor additions including the Fort Point P&G Gillette Public Dock. Since its 1973 founding, TBHA continues to promote clean harbor initiatives and access to the waterfront through the nearly completed 47-mile Harborwalk. In addition to increased TBHA programming, Li looked forward to new waterfront development and enhancements, supporting plans for a revival of the East Boston waterfront, South Boston’s Black Falcon Cruise Terminal and the North End’s Commercial Wharf. On the business side, the group ended the year with a small deficit but a healthy reserve balance. The election process was chaired by TBHA’s Brian Dacey bringing in new and renewing TBHA trustees.
TBHA executives spoke in support of the City of Boston’s revival plans for the East Boston waterfront as expressed earlier that day in a speech by Mayor Menino. After years inactivity, the City is looking at building seawalls and infrastructure to reduce costs for private developers. A floating pier for water taxis is also envisioned at the end of Lewis Street.
A series of presentations, listed below, celebrated those who have shown outstanding commitment to Boston Harbor and TBHA.
John Ames Award for outstanding commitment to Boston Harbor and TBHA. To celebrate the opening of Liberty Wharf, the following were honored:
- Roger Berkowitz, Legal Sea Foods
- Ed Nardi, Cresset Development
- Jon Cronin, Jerry Remy’s Seaport and Temazcal Cantina
- Greg Rinaldi, Del Frisco’s
Governor Francis W. Sargent Award for long-term commitment and diligence in working on behalf of Boston Harbor.
- Bruce Jacobson, National Park Service
- Susan Kane, Massachusetts DCR
- Tom Powers, Boston Harbor Islands Alliance
Lydia Goodhue Award for excellence in presentation of issues related to a clean, alive and accessible Boston Harbor.
- Nadia Caines, Richard Dalton, Jackie Flyod and Meg Tabacsko; MWRA Deer Island Tours
Senator William M. Bulger Award for outstanding creativity in solving a major problem of Boston Harbor. For his efforts on safe LNG transport through Boston Harbor:
- Captain John Healey, US Coast Guard
Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding leadership and service during the Boston Harbor cleanup.
- John Carroll, MWRA Board Member
The TBHA 2011 Annual Meeting was underwritten and held at North Coast Seafoods, 5 Dry Dock Avenue.
More information on The Boston Harbor Association is available at TBHA.org.
