Have a question, comment or issue you want to raise directly with the city of Boston? Here is your chance! Lydia Polaski, the South Boston and Seaport rep for the City's Office of Neighborhood Services, will be in the Superette Courtyard at Echelon on Friday, October 18 from 10:30 - 11:30.
As many of us can attest, Lydia has been very helpful to the residents of the Seaport. She works hard for us to find solutions on everything from traffic and roadwork to new businesses and noise. She knows where to go within the City to find the people with the answers or explanations.
Be sure and stop by. It’s a great opportunity to discuss what is on your mind or to just meet Lydia and Learn more about the Office of Neighborhood Services
WS Development reports that they:
"...are currently reconstructing Boston Wharf Road between Seaport Blvd and Congress Street as well as West Service Road (which is Boston Wharf Road south of Congress Street) south to Pastene Alley. This will culminate in the repaving and re-striping of this entire corridor later this month and significantly improve travel conditions for motorists and cyclists along this corridor."
This is part of their project that they refer to as the Seaport Roadways work, which involved the complete reconstruction of Seaport Blvd from the Moakley Bridge to Pier 4 Blvd back in 2017-2018 with the landscaped medians, trees, artwork, and bike lanes, as well as their reconstruction of Pier 4 Blvd (formerly East Service Road) between Congress and Seaport back in 2021-2022.
A next phase of the Seaport Roadways project will involve the reconstruction of Congress Street from Boston Wharf Road east to Pier 4 Blvd. This scope will involve a landscaped median similar to the one on Seaport Blvd in front of 101-121 Seaport, as well as a revised condition at the I-90 off-ramps allowing for a proper left turn at that location.
This next phase will be a great benefit to our neighborhood. Currently, drivers coming off on the I-90 East ramp and turnoff which leads into the Seaport and want to head downtown have to turn left on Seaport Blvd, adding to our congestion. The elimination of the small end of the median on Congress Street, pictured, will allow drivers to legally turn left on Congress and not have to continue to Seaport Blvd.
We heard from residents who expressed concern about the “Open Container Zone’ concept which was described in a WGBH news story.
Two of our Seaport Neighborhood Association board members met Corean Reynolds (Director of Nightlife Economy for the City of Boston) to discuss the idea. It turned out to be an excellent conversation. SNA wanted to understand the basic idea and also the problem they are trying to solve. The situation feels different than what was described in the article. A few highlights of the conversation:
· Corean’s role is much broader than night life (drinking, clubs etc)
· Corean is focused on all the elements that help a city maintain an effective economy at night including, safety, transportation, construction, etc, so that people can work and play in a safe environment.
· She said that the social zone concept would be a temporary area that might allow alcohol, but could also include music, art, festivals etc.
· There is not a proposal or plan for anything permanent.
· Permits would have to be applied for and the usual process would take place, including the involvement of neighborhood associations.
· The Seaport is not a priority for social zones. City government recognizes that is a new area with tons going on.
· She did mention that the ‘pop-up’ concept could provide an opportunity to drive more diversity in the Seaport.
Corean described her role as a night-time economy specialist, a role that focuses more on how to safely impact vibrancy in Boston. She seemed appreciative of us taking the time to hear about her impressive background and her scope of responsibility. She has been in this newly created city position for 18 months.
The SNA came away quite impressed with Corean Reynolds and we feel that a very good line of communication has been established.
In partnership with Mass Farmers Markets, Massport is running the “Fish & Farm Market” every Saturday from 11-3 at the Boston Fish Pier.
Market vendors are featuring some of Boston’s best seafood companies, including those based at the Boston Fish Pier, alongside a complementary mix of vendors selling fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, breads, specialty products, and more.
It will run through October 26 and feature a number of our seafood tenants along with other food vendors.
Fish & Farm Market
The Boston Fish Pier – East Parking Lot
212 Northern Avenue
Every Saturday from June 22 through October 26
11 am to 3 pm
For more information, please visit www.massfarmersmarkets.org/fishandfarmmarket or follow
them on social media at @fishandfarmmarket.
The Summer Street Pilot Program has ended and the traffic lanes will revert to what they were before the test program began.
In the end, the time saved for the buses was measured in only seconds and the Boston Transportation Department decided that was not enough improvement to disrupt the car traffic on the busy road.
The BTD heard from many drivers who were not happy with the greatly increased traffic times and reduction of flow on Summer Street.
Mr. H is the newest restaurant to join the growing Seaport scene!
It is described as a modern Chinese restaurant that weaves a sophisticated reverence for the cuisines of mainland China & Taiwan with the vibrant, intimate energy of a Shanghainese cocktail lounge. Nestled in the heart of Boston’s buzziest neighbourhood, Mr. H is a sanctuary of intimacy and elegance, offering a refined dining experience that captivates both day and night.
Located at 225 Northern Avenue, they are open from 4pm to 2am seven days a week.
Don't expect to see a new bridge for a decade or so! Although in this case there are sound reasons. The project has been set back by the Army Corps of Engineers coming in to do a study on whether a floodgate could be placed at the opening to the Fort Point Channel. Ten percent of all stormwater in Boston drains into that Channel. When there is a high tide coupled with a large storm, flooding is caused in the surrounding areas because the stormwater drainpipes exiting into Fort Point Channel are lower than the high tide height of the Channel. A floodgate plan would close the gate at low tide when there is anticipation of a high tide storm. The result would be that the stormwater can drain into Fort Point Channel and then be released into Boston Harbor after the storm, with a lowering tide. The first question that the Corps will answer is whether this is a feasible and worthwhile project. After that, if the answer is in the affirmative, a study will be done to see if the floodgate could be incorporated into the Northern Avenue Bridge design. This is a multi-year study and project with a current price tag close to $1 billion.
The Barking Crab restaurant is looking to bring in a floating barge to increase their seating. We understand their request but are also concerned with what this means for the channel, nearby moorings and access through the waterway. We are continuing to monitor the review and approval process.
Seaport Neighborhood Association
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