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星期五, 2月 27, 2015

BRA Board approves over $490 million in new development at February meeting

BRA Board approves over $490 million in new development at February meeting
Major projects in Fenway, East Boston, and Dorchester set to move forward
BOSTON – Snow postponed the original date for the Boston Redevelopment Authority’s February Board of Directors meeting, but that didn’t prevent a flurry of development activity from being approved when the Board met yesterday afternoon in a rescheduled session. A total of seven development projects that will provide 787 units of housing and create 770 construction jobs were approved at the meeting. The 1.1 million square feet of new development represents a combined investment of over $490 million.
Most of the projects are housing related, with several including plans for retail space, but two of the city’s biggest institutions also received the go ahead to carry out new projects. Massachusetts General Hospital was approved to renovate the old Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital at 125 Nashua Street for administrative uses. And Boston College won approval to convert an existing apartment building at 2000 Commonwealth Avenue in Brighton into new student housing for 540 of its undergraduates. Together with a new residence hall that is under construction at 2150 Commonwealth Avenue, the college will increase its on campus housing portfolio by 1,030 beds, supporting Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s goal of creating more campus housing opportunities for Boston’s college and university students.
Housing on East Boston’s waterfront continues to blossom, as the second phase of Portside at East Pier, a mixed-use development led by Roseland Property Company on Massport land, was approved by the BRA Board. East Pier’s Buildings 5 and 6, as they will be know, will contain 275 units of housing just a short walk from the MBTA’s Maverick Blue Line Station. The first phase of the project, known as Building 7, was completed last November, and those units are now being leased.
The following other development projects were also approved at yesterday’s meeting.

Fenway Point will create a new gateway to the neighborhood, adding hundreds of units of housing

Total Project Cost: $290,000,000
Total SF: 390,460
Construction Jobs: 370
Samuels & Associates continues to transform the Fenway neighborhood with new housing, retail, and commercial space, and yesterday the developer was granted permission to move ahead with the Fenway Point project. The corner of Brookline Avenue and Boylston Street will undergo a major facelift, as a series of one-story brick buildings and surface parking lots will be redevelop to make way for a new 30-story mixed-use building that will include 349 units of housing. The plan calls for 240 rental units and 109 condominium units, 41 of which will be designated as affordable. A two-story lobby with 25,000 square feet of retail space and 17,000 square feet of pedestrian open space outside of the building will help to activate the streetscape. The building itself will have a green roof and rooftop open space for residents.
The signature project, designed by Miami-based Arquitectonica, will create a new gateway to Fenway. Originally planned for 22 stories, the developer worked with the community and the BRA to revise the project proposal to include more housing units. The building will offer studio, one, two, three, and four bedroom layouts.
Samuels & Associates will also make a $50,000 contribution to the Audubon Circle Neighborhood Association for maintenance of future sidewalk improvements.

Transit oriented development to bring new affordable housing to Dorchester’s Ashmont neighborhood

Total Project Cost: $40,000,000
Total SF: 106,606
Construction Jobs: 72
The site of an automobile service center will be redeveloped to create 87 new units of housing, 53 of which will be affordable, in the Ashmont TOD 2 project. The project proponents, Trinity Ashmont Two Limited Partnership, plan to construct studio, one, two, and three bedroom layouts. The top floor will house 17 loft style units, and a small 1,400 square foot roof deck will be available to residents.
The six-story, mixed-use transit oriented development will include an on-site garage, covered bicycle parking for residents, and almost 4,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial and retail space. The building will be conveniently located about 300 feet from the MBTA’s Ashmont Station. Given its proximity to public transit, the developers were able to lower the parking ratio to approximately .4 spaces per residential unit, which is consistent with the City of Boston’s standards for such developments.
The project, which will be LEED certifiable with multiple green building elements, was designed by The Architectural Team. The developer is familiar with transit oriented projects, as the same team was involved in the nearby Carruth TOD.

Next phase of Channel Center project in Fort Point approved

Total Project Cost: $16,000,000
Total SF: 72,562
Construction Jobs: 51
Channel Center is a multi-phase, mixed-use development containing traditional housing, live/work units, office, research and development, retail, and restaurant space, as well as open space. The project, which dates back to 2001, will move into the next phase, as the BRA Board approved plans for 9 Channel Center.
The developer, which is affiliated with Berkeley Investments, will rehabilitate an existing structure at 9 Channel Center in Fort Point to include approximately 66,000 square feet of office space on the upper six floors and 6,700 square feet of ground floor space that could become a restaurant.
The project will generate approximately $56,000 in community mitigation funds that will be made available to area non-profits to support a range of causes, from affordable housing to local arts and public realm improvements.

Entirely affordable Paris Village project to add housing in East Boston

Total Project Cost: $11,500,000
Total SF: 30,375
Construction Jobs: 23
The East Boston Community Development Corporation received approval for Paris Village, a four-story project containing 32 units of housing, all of which are planned as affordable. The building, located four blocks away from the MBTA’s Airport Station, will house a combination of 21 two-bedroom units and 11 three-bedroom units.
The developer was able to surpass the city’s affordable housing standards by securing funding from the state to support the project. Construction is expected to begin later this year.

Underutilized Dorchester Avenue parcel to be redeveloped for housing in South Boston

Total Project Cost: $11,500,000
Total SF: 43,650
Construction Jobs: 32
Everdeen Property Group will demolish an Enterprise Rent-A-Car facility to construct a new six-story housing development with 4,400 square feet of retail space at 248 Dorchester Avenue. The mixed-use building will include 33 rental units, four of which will be affordable, and on-site parking for every unit. While a majority of the apartments will be one-bedrooms, the project plans call for two studio units and seven two-bedroom units.
Designed by Utile, Inc, the project is expected to break ground by January 2016. It is located less than a quarter mile from the MBTA’s Broadway Station.

About the Boston Redevelopment Authority
As the City of Boston’s urban planning and economic development agency, the BRA works in partnership with the community to plan Boston's future while respecting its past. The agency’s passionate and knowledgeable staff guides physical, social, and economic change in Boston’s neighborhoods and its downtown to shape a more prosperous, sustainable, and beautiful city for all. The BRA also prepares residents for new opportunities through employment training, human services and job creation. Learn more at www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org, and follow us on Twitter @BostonRedevelop.

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Snow Storm Loan Fund to Help Small Businesses Recover from Lost Storm Revenue

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Snow Storm Loan Fund to Help Small Businesses Recover from Lost Storm Revenue
Loan Program Will Address Pressing Need for Financial Relief for Small Businesses Impacted by Winter Weather Conditions

BOSTON – In recognizing the hardship that small businesses throughout the Commonwealth have faced in recent weeks due to unprecedented snowfall and historic winter conditions, Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito today announced that the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC) has approved a snow storm loan fund to help small businesses regain financial stability and recover from lost storm revenue. The decision was made during MGCC’s regular board meeting Thursday afternoon.

“As small businesses throughout Massachusetts continue to recover from extreme winter weather conditions that have restricted business, we are pleased to announce this low-interest loan program is available to help them regain their financial stability,” said Governor Baker. “While our local economies continue to bounce back, we encourage everyone to continue shopping at their local retailers, restaurants and small businesses.”

“Our small businesses are the backbone of our economy and it is important that we help ensure their longevity by lending a helping hand when they need it most,” said Lieutenant Governor Polito. “We are confident that our entire economy will continue to recover from one of the toughest winters we have seen in decades.”

MGCC will make up to $1 million in loan funds available to provide micro-loans of $5,000 to $10,000 to small businesses located in communities impacted by the harsh winter weather, particularly those in Boston and in gateway cities. It is anticipated that this program will run through May 2015.

MGCC will be responsible for funding the loan, managing the loan portfolio, collection of interest and principal payments and all decision-making regarding loan approval. For more information about the application and terms and conditions of the loan, please visit www.massgcc.com


堡壘村慶新年講究多元化 波市長來賀

堡壘村居民聯誼會二月廿日在村內舉辦第六屆“黑人歷史及中國新年慶祝會”,強調多元文化融合。波士頓市長馬丁華殊(Martin Walsh)特地出席,以示他對這一理念的支持。
堡壘村大約有500個單位,是波士頓市內最大的可負擔住宅之一,1987年就成立了居民聯誼會,現任董事會主席為昆士小學老師梅清焉,行政主任為Deborah Backus,村內設有青年中心,耆英服務項目,成人科技班,課餘班,暑期班等等活動。
當天的慶祝活動,邀有Irene Matos Chan介紹他創作的“我的歷程”,胡清白鶴派舞獅,茉莉花舞蹈團,Jo-Me舞團表演跳舞,Selmao打非洲鼓,豆城跳者(Beantown Jumpers)示範跳繩,Shanelle Grant演唱等表演。
波士頓市長馬丁華殊不但出席致詞,讚揚堡壘村居民的不同族裔融洽相處,還在會場逗留了一段不短的時間,和出席的昆士小學前校長李素影等人晤談,深入了解民間狀況。




圖片說明:

            波士頓市長馬丁華殊(中)和李素影(右起),堡壘村居民聯誼會主席梅清焉,行政主任Deborah Backus,介紹項目青年Irene Matos Chan等人在會中合影。(菊子攝)

            堡壘村居民聯誼會慶祝中國新年,掛出喜氣長龍。(菊子攝)

            茉莉花舞蹈團小朋友表演。(菊子攝)


            堡壘村居民們在會場分菜。(菊子攝)

Commuter Rail 要三月底才恢復全面營運

Keolis公司高管昨(廿六)日表示,雪太多,天太冷,恐怕要等到三月底,通勤火車才能全面恢復營運。
            來自法國的Keolis公司為MBTA經營通勤火車服務。該公司國際營運執行長泰巴瑞(Bernard Tabary)昨日和麻州州長查理貝克(Charlie Baker)會晤後發出一份聲明,表示該公司將從世界各地調派專家,盡快加速恢復服務。在麻州州長批准了的恢復服務計畫中,他們估計到週五時可恢復營運78%,但要全面恢復營運,得等到三月三十日。
            Keolis去年七月接手營運通勤火車之前,麻州灣區通勤火車公司(Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company)從2003年以來一直負責經營這一交通服務。
            查理貝克表示,將面向全美尋找適合的MBTA總經理人選。
        截至昨日,麻州降雪量已累計到102吋,搭通勤火車及地鐵的乘客,自從大風雪損壞了交通系統以來,一直都感到十分沮喪,昨日橘線,以及兩條綠線又誤點了。

            MBTA發言人 Joe Pesaturo 表示,橘線的服務不穩定,大約每九分鐘進出一班車。平常在高峰時間,有十六輛火車運行,昨日約只有十一輛車能出動。

AALDEF亞裔選民投票模式調查 英語不通者有權自帶傳譯

亞美法律辯護及教育基金(AALDEF25日晚在信義大廈社區室匯報去年的亞裔選民投票概況分析,並呼籲更多亞裔加入義工行列,為監督2016的總統大選做準備。
         AALDEF律師瓦他馬拉(Jerry Vattamala)從今年一月起,巡迴八個城市,匯報該機構和65個社區機構合作,動用565名義工,在去年11月到11州,以及華府的63個大選投票站出口,以12種亞裔語言,訪問4200名選民所做的投票模式調查結果。
         根據結果,在麻州之內,越南裔及柬埔寨裔選民在投票時需要語言協助的比率最高,平均30%的亞裔選民在投票時帶了一名翻譯協助。瓦他馬拉因此強調,社區機構應該加強教育選民,他們有權找他們喜歡的人做翻譯,並陪同出席投票。
         AALDEF選了十一個亞裔人口成長最快的州做調查,包括紐約,新澤西,麻州,賓州,維琴尼亞州,馬里蘭州,密西根州,德州,喬治亞洲,路易斯安那州,內華達州及華府。
         廿五日晚是瓦他馬拉巡迴匯報的第八站,由李超榮和亞美社區發展協會(ACDC)合辦,約廿多人出席。
         他在會中除報告全美概況,並特別報告了該機構去年在昆士市,羅爾市,多徹斯特,以及波士頓華埠,南端等地的麻州調查結果。
         在麻州,共有278名亞裔接受調查,其中53%為華裔,有26%住在華埠,20%年齡在三十至三十九歲之間。每五人中約有一人表示自己英語能力有限(LEP),12%華人或越南人表示自己完全看不懂英文。8%第一次投票,74%是在美國境外出生。44%登記為民主黨,9%為共和黨,46%未登記黨派。
         華人的黨派登記比率為民主黨48%,未登記49%。越南裔25%民主黨、22%共和黨,52%未登記黨派。柬埔寨裔民主黨63%,未登記27%,共和黨10%
         在票投給誰上,調查結果顯示,亞裔選民的投票選擇向黨派靠攏,其次37%會根據候選人對移民改革的看法,來決定是否投票支持。
     去年是所謂的期中選舉,絕大多數亞裔選民都把票投給了民主黨,但根據調查結果,和2012年的總統大選時相比,亞裔對民主黨的支持度,有下降趨勢。未登記黨派的亞裔選民,未來幾年投票時將更加重視哪個候選人或政客,對他們所關心的議題更重要。
         AALDEF 從1988年就開始在每次大選時,到投票站出口做亞裔選民調查。2012年時,該機構在14州調查了9096名亞裔。
            在接受調查的亞裔選民中,59%為民主黨籍,15%未登記黨派,26%為共和黨籍。
            在州級選舉中,絕大多數亞裔選民都投票支持民主黨籍候選人。在麻州州長選舉中,支持民主黨籍柯克莉(Martha Coakley)的有69%,支持共和黨籍查理貝克(Charlie Baker)的有28%,其他3%。德州的州長選舉算是其中比較特別的一個,52%把票投給了共和黨籍的亞伯特(Greg Abbott)。
            調查結果發現,在AALDEF監察M包括373個投票區的147各投票佔中,有340名亞裔選民抱怨投票時遭遇障礙,包括缺乏傳譯員或已投票資料沒翻譯,選民冊漏了或拼寫錯他們的名字,工作人員索要美國公民身份證明,不肯發給臨時選票,工作人員提供不正確資料或出言不遜,投票機壞了,選票設計差等。


圖片說明:

            左起,波士頓基金會陳綽敏,李超榮,台美專業人士協會會長洪聚佐,亞美社區發展協會主任陳潔瑩,亞美社區發展協會房屋主任劉安琪,以及黃秋梨等人都到會聽取AALDEF律師瓦他馬拉(Jerry Vattamala)(右三)。(菊子攝)

            李超榮(左)感謝AALDEF律師瓦他馬拉(Jerry Vattamala)到波士頓做報告。(菊子攝)


            廿五日晚出席亞裔選民投票模式分析報告的人並不多。(菊子攝)