Ballers Pickleball/Padel complex abutters meeting replay
A controversial new project is seeking approval in the neighborhood. Ballers Boston Seaport LLC wants to create 12 racquet sports courts at the corner of Pier 4 Blvd and Congress Street. The proposed hours at 7am to 11pm, seven days a week.
The abutters meeting for this project was held on Monday, May 19. It was well attended, with over 50 participants. Residents expressed concerns over the noise, lack of planning and testing, impact of sound, lack of soundproofing, and questioned the project's appropriateness for a residential neighborhood.
Here is the link to watch the recorded meeting:
We need to understand the position of the Seaport residents on this project and would appreciate your input. Please let us know your thoughts at:
10 World Trade Center nearing completion
The SNA board took a tour of the soon to open 10 World Trade Center building. We have all seen this impressive structure rising at the corner of Congress Street and B Street. The projected opening date is June 1.
The building, owned by BGI, is a 17 story structure with great views all around the area. We were impressed by the employee workout space on the top floor which has a 360 degree look at Seaport, South Boston and beyond. 10 World Trade Center will also feaure food options on the first floor, open to the public, and outdoor seating areas.
(Pictured are our host, John Hynes IV, and members of the SNA board)
Echelon residents and the Borrachito restaurant continue conversations over noise
An ongoing discussion at the Echelon complex involves noise complaints concerning the Borrachito restaurant. The concerns center on the ambient noise and vibrations which resonate from the restaurant and the outdoor noise of patrons leaving and the ride share vehicles servicing them.
Borrachito has worked to address the issues with sound proofing in their space and added security to adress the crowds leaving the restaurant, particularly late at night, given their 2am closing time seve days per week.
The discussions led to a Boston Licensing Board hearing to hear the issues and search for solutions. The Board directed Borrachito to share the current security and crowd control plans and any updates on hours and noise mitigation.
The SNA is very involved in the discussions and works toward a goal of a vibrant Seaport with many dining options balanced against the needs of a residential neighborhood.
Neighborhood news!
Great things going on in the neighborhood!!
New to the Seaport:
Tacos El Chikis is opening a full-service restaurant with seating for 20 in its dining room and a seasonal outdoor patio with additional seating for 18. The restaurant, which will fill a spot at 50 Northern Ave that has been vacant since the closing of B Good, will be managed by the same people who run Committee, a long standing gathering spot next door to this space.
Maple and Ash, a new location for a midwestern steakhouse chain, will be opening in the Echelon Superette. The ownerspromise "an innovative take on the traditional steakhouse, mixing a modern aesthetic with authentic service to deliver classic wood-fired dishes."
Bambola! A new restaurant is going into the Park Place building, replacing the Boston Social Club. It is an upscale Italian location which promises to be "the perfect balance between elegance and excess, aiming at offering the best, until the very last detail."
Marcelino's We recently toured the outdoor space at Marcelino's, bordering the Northern Ave bridge area. They are applying for an outdoor music permit. We are supportive of their effort, given the location and the plan for subdued background music.
The Fish and Farm Market is Back!
The Seaport Fish & Farm Market is returning to the Boston Fish Pier on Saturday June 7.
Hugely popular last year, it promises to be bigger and better in 2025. More local farm products and special events will be featured, while continuing to offer great seafood offerings from Fish Pier vendors and others throughout New England.
Stop by and support these local producers while having a great time!
For more information, visit:
Sleeper Street to become one-way
Boston Streets Department is moving ahead with plans to make Sleeper Street a one-way road, between Congress Street and Seaport Blvd. The SNA raised questions about the inclusion of a two-way bike lane, as we were concerned about the traffic ramifications for the Seaport Blvd intersection.
Boston Streets provided us with a more detailed plan for how the bike traffic would be directed in the intersection. Given the additional information we are now supportive of the overall design.
The bidding process will soon begin, with construction taking place this fall.
We need your opinion on the Seaport Blvd/Pier 4 Blvd intersection!
We are continuing to have discussions with the City about Pier 4 Blvd and how to make it safer for pedestrians and easier to navigate for vehicles. A focus of our next meeting will be on whether a ‘pedestrian scramble’ makes sense for the Seaport Blvd/Pier 4 Blvd intersection. A scramble is what you may have seen at the South Station intersection; all the traffic lights turn red for a period of time, allowing pedestrians to all cross throughout the intersection at once. The Don’t Walk signs stay on as the green lights alternate for the opposing directions, allowing traffic to turn without pedestrians crossing.
We want your opinion on whether this is an appropriate concept for Fan Pier and Seaport Blvds! Please let email us at:
City pursues partial Northern Avenue Bridge demolition
The City of Boston has applied to the Army of Corps of Engineers and the Massachusetts Historical Commission for permission to demolish the superstructure portion of the Northern Ave Bridge. Citing the continued deterioration of the bridge as a safety hazard to the waterway, the city would like to begin demolition of the superstructure this spring, leaving only the bridge stanchions in place. The work would involve very precise removal of the pieces, with catches under the Bridge to protect the waterway from debris. Cranes will be used to carefully remove debris and other objects on the bridge deck.
Boston has pursued this request in the past but was denied permission without a set plan of bridge replacement in place. The hope is that the rapid deterioration of the Bridge will convince all parties of the immediate need for removal.
We strongly support the city’s initiative and trust that it will be approved, and demolition can begin soon.
Bike Lanes discussed in citywide meeting
Approximately 60+ attendees from all over the city attended a meeting to discuss the growth of bike lanes in Boston, with representation from Beacon Hill, Back Bay, North End, Mission Hill, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, Roxbury, West Roxbury and Brighton.
The purpose of the meeting was to bring together as many neighborhood groups from across the city to see what the shared experience has been with the newly installed bike lanes.
The organizer, a resident of Back Bay, described himself as someone who enjoys biking and someone who is not against having bike lanes in Boston. However, he expressed personal concern over the city forging ahead with bike lane installations despite negative feedback prior to installation as well as the city’s lack of a long-term plan for sustainable infrastructure. When his concerns were not acknowledged by city representatives, he decided to put together a group to explore what can be done moving forward. The group is Pedal Safe Boston and a website of the same name will launch soon. The organizer shared his experience of living in the Back Bay with the new bike lanes. He stated safety concerns for himself and his family members. Meeting participants expressed support for bike lanes, but frustration that feedback from neighborhood groups has not been considered. Many spoke about the increased traffic due to decreased lanes on major thoroughfares and poor behavior from drivers due to the increase in traffic.
Some of the areas mentioned by community members include Mission Hill (3-4 lanes down to 2 with a bus lane in the middle), Cambridge Street to Mass pike now only one lane and one bike lane), Jamaica Plain downtown area now down to 1 lane, and State Street from Atlantic to Tremont, now down to 1 lane. It was also stated that small businesses may have closed in part due to the difficulty of receiving deliveries. This opinion was expressed by both Wharf Street and Back Bay representatives. Boylston Street has lost curb access for deliveries on one side of the road.
The resounding sentiment was that neighborhood groups have tried to participate in the planning and were shut down, coming away with a feeling that the administration has set an agenda to put bike lanes all over the city, despite the feedback they were receiving and now there is no way to correct for mistakes. A Boston firefighter said their ladders can no longer reach the top of some buildings due to the new bike lanes in parts of the city. He stated he is not pro or con bike lanes, just that, if not properly planned for, they can cause unsafe situations for public safety.
Pedal Safe Boston is in the early stages. There will be additional information once their website is up and running.
UPDATE - Seaport as Possible 'Open Container Social Zone'
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.
Barking Crab Expansion
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.
