The North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA) June meeting began with a series of important committee reports. Watch the full video above or use this timeline to jump to points of interest.
(0:54) Robyn Reed, Chair of Parks & Open Spaces:
- Fitnesses classes in the parks have returned for the summer.
- Christopher Columbus Park is hosting free croquet games on Wednesday evenings from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- The Friends of Cutillo Park is having a reception at the Boston Harbor Pop-Up Gallery (226 Causeway Street) on Thursday, June 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- The Prado is back! There is some new lighting that was recently adjusted to accurately illuminate the Paul Revere Statue.
(3:45) Maria Lanza, Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services:
- Mayor Walsh and Councilor Zakim recently announced amendments to the Boston Trust Act.
- The Mayor re-opened the Paul Revere Mall last week. The fountain timing will be adjusted and will run from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- The Boston Planning & Development Agency is hosting a Flood Resilient Building Guidelines and Zoning Overlay Open House on June 17 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Leventhal Room.
- The BPDA is holding a North Station Urban Renewal meeting on June 18 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the West End Museum.
- There are two North End fitness classes available this summer – Zumba on Monday at 6 p.m. and Bootcamp on Friday at 6:30 a.m., both at Christopher Columbus Park.
(6:28) Victor Brogna, Chair of the Zoning, Licensing & Construction Committee:
- (6:38) The Dock Square Garage project has been approved by the Boston Redevelopment Authority.
- (9:28) 149 Salem Street / 71 Prince Street. In April, NEWRA voted to support this project. In May, NEWRA held an impromptu vote to revisit this, after a piece of zoning code was brought up about the allowed building height. Brogna reached out to the Inspectional Services Department (ISD) requesting a new refusal letter. The item is being taken off the June Board of Appeals agenda and a new refusal letter will be issued.
- (16:33) 97 Salem Street will be on the July ZLC agenda. The proponent intends to create a five-story building. The North End / Waterfront Neighborhood Council voted to oppose the project at their June meeting.
- (16:54) 49 – 49R Charter Street will also be on the July ZLC agenda. The proponent plans to add another story to the building.
- (17:28) Table on Hanover Street wants to add a liquor license. It was heard at public meeting of the licensing board last week and will be voted on next Thursday, June 20.
- (21:36) An update on the Municipal Harbor Plan (MHP). Harbor Towers claims they have rights to parking in the garage that will be lost if the plan goes through. Brogna also clarified that the MHP is approved but the Conservation Law Foundation and Harbor Towers Trustees have filed separate lawsuits.
- (23:54) Nazzaro Center – At the re-opening of the Prado Mayor Walsh reaffirmed that the city is not planning on selling the Nazzaro building and that it should remain as a facility for the community.
- (24:26) There is conversation starting about having a historic district designation for North Square. Brogna will update NEWRA as more unfolds.
