Rep. Adrian Madaro on COVID in EB: "Many working-class Eastie residents don't have the privilege of working from home."

East Boston has the highest COVID infection rate in Boston. Last week it was 7.9%. This was over 4 times the state average. It was almost 50% higher than the second-highest neighborhood. Many cities around us are seeing the same or higher. Let's talk about why. And what we can do.

Some people might imply that residents are to blame for not following guidelines closely enough. This is wrong. Our community isn't worse at wearing masks/social distancing, or taking fewer public health precautions than any other.

That's not why our rates are higher than the suburbs.

Our COVID infection rates are higher because our communities are systemically more vulnerable to the spread of this disease. This was true at the beginning of the shutdown, and it has become truer as MA has progressed through the phases of Reopening.

Many working-class Eastie residents don't have the privilege of working from home. Their jobs require them to go out to work, and in most cases they're interacting with coworkers or members of the public through jobs in the service industry - construction, cleaning, restaurants, etc. While the shutdown meant some (but not all) of these service workers were staying home, our state's reopening means that even more are back to work out in the public now. This means Eastie residents & surrounding communities have an increased risk of COVID exposure and infection.

And housing is expensive and hard to find. Most Eastie workers live in apartments that are full of family or roommates, and short on space. People share rooms. When everyone's living together in a small space, there aren't many opportunities to social distance. This means that when a worker gets sick, they have nowhere to quarantine. This puts the rest of their household at higher risk of contracting COVID. Reports indicate that this kind of "family spread" is one of the top ways that COVID is spreading in East Boston.

Residents in high-risk communities like Eastie are more prone to COVID due to health issues that are the result of longstanding environmental burdens. We are Environmental Justice communities with a long history of air pollution. Eastie residents have long suffered from elevated rates of respiratory illnesses, such as asthma & COPD, a legacy of living next to an international airport and a major highway. COVID is a respiratory illness. It's no surprise our residents are at an increased risk.

Earlier this year,

Attorney General Maura Healey

released a report on the role of environmental pollution in higher rates of COVID infection in low-income communities of color. It's no coincidence that these communities remain the hardest-hit now.

https://www.wbur.org/earthwhile/2020/05/12/massachusetts-coronavirus-environment

So what do we need to do? First, we need increased resources and assistance from the state. Gov. Baker has recently set the stage for this by designating high-risk communities, and pledging additional aid.

https://www.wbur.org/commonhealth/2020/08/11/high-risk-communities-mass-coronavirus

It is also critical that the state expand access to isolation sites in at-risk communities for workers who cannot quarantine at home without putting their families at risk.Isolation sites will help reduce family spread - a major component of COVID infection rates in East Boston.

Finally, we need Emergency Paid Sick Leave. Our sick leave system was not designed for a global pandemic. Workers should not have to choose between their health and economic security. Many are forced to continue working even if exposed to COVID because they need to pay the bills.

We have an obligation to help our most vulnerable residents who have been systemically more exposed to COVID infection.

Massachusetts is only as safe as our most at-risk communities. If we want to stop the spread, we need to ensure equity in the fight against COVID-19.

This aid should include:

• Increased testing and tracing capacity
• Priority for federal funding aid
• More PPE and disinfectant resources
• Increased and improved public health messaging and communications
• Improved enforcement measures.

See more at: https://www.facebook.com/adrian.madaro.02128/posts/4766887530112

East Boston Branch of the Public Library now open for pick-ups

Need some summer reading books, dvds or some beach books? 

The East Boston Branch Library can help. The East Boston Branch Library is now open in the afternoon for holds pickups as part of the BPL to Go program.  Patrons can request items with their library card at www.bpl.org, email eastboston@bpl.org  or by calling 617-536-5400.

When the items come in, they will receive notification with instructions how to schedule a pick-up.  

The library is open for scheduled pickups, Monday-Thursday from 2 to 6 and on Fridays from 1 to 4.  

Books and other materials can also be returned during these hours.   

If you have others questions or need more assistance, please email eastboston@bpl.org. 

For more information please visit: https://www.bpl.org/news/bpl-to-go/

East Boston leads the city in COVID-19 cases!

More information from the Boston Public Health Commission.

East Boston Neighborhood Health Center is now testing 7 days a week!

The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center is now offering COVID-19 testing seven days a week to patients as well as community residents who have flu-like symptoms or have been in contact with someone who is COVID-19 positive. 

IMPORTANT: Community residents who are EBNHC patients must call EBNHC at 617-569-5800 to pre-register for screening and testing at our two new EBNHC patient testing sites. 

Patients who arrive at Suffolk Downs or 79 Paris Street without pre-registration will not be tested. 

Patients and non-patients can come to our 10 Gove Street Emergency Department and Influenza-Like Illness Clinic without pre-registering.

EBNHC Testing Locations:

New: 79 Paris Street, East Boston, walk-through location
8:00 am to noon daily
Pre-registration required: Call 617-569-5800

New: Suffolk Downs, Drive-thru location (by car only):
525 William F. McClellan Highway, Boston
1:00 pm to 5:00 pm daily
Pre-registration required: Call 617-569-5800

Emergency Department, open 24/7
Influenza Like Illness Clinic, open 7 days per week
10 Gove Street, East Boston 
Pre-registration not required

In addition to screening and testing, we are connecting community members to resources for food, housing, health, and safety. No one is asked about immigration status. 

Local real estate agent donates 300 Bolocco's burritos to EB Health Center

United Brokers Real Estate Sales Agent Juan Lopera (green jacket) donated 300 burritos to staff at East Boston Neighborhood Health Center on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Also included in the photo is John Pepper (black jacket), co-founder of Boloco, along with two employees.

East Boston Neighborhood Health Center Announcement on Baby Vaccinations

Mayor Walsh announces small business relief fund

New resources created to help small businesses impacted by COVID-19 receive immediate capital relief and navigate the evolving financial assistance landscape BOSTON - Thursday, April 2, 2020 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced the creation of the Small Business Relief Fund, established to assist Boston's small businesses most directly impacted by closures, policies, or general loss of revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This newly created fund, administered and managed by the Mayor's Office of Economic Development (OED), is designed to quickly and strategically disburse grants to local businesses through a streamlined process that does not require businesses to assume additional debt. The Fund will begin accepting applications on Monday, April 6, 2020.  "We are committed to helping Boston's small businesses during this unprecedented time by providing strategic, accessible, and critical financial resources to help them stay afloat and pay employees," said Mayor Walsh. "Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the lifeblood of our neighborhoods. As the response to COVID-19 continues to evolve, we want to make this resource as straightforward as possible for business owners and work one-on-one to ensure they have the most up-to-date information on financial assistance available." The Small Business Relief Fund will be administered through OED's Small Business Financing program, and is funded by a combination of funds from the City of Boston, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and private institutions. Eligible small businesses - a for-profit entity with fewer than 35 employees, and less than $1,500,000 in annual revenue, which is registered and operating in Boston - will apply through a single application and be considered for one of three grants based on the size of the business. Grants can be used to address rent, fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, lost sales, lost opportunities, and other working capital expenses. The Fund will kick-off with an initial $2 million in resources available to small businesses, which includes city operating funding and Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) that the City of Boston receives annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The funding will also include an additional $50,000 contribution from the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office.  "The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of everyone in Massachusetts and our small businesses have been hit especially hard," said Attorney General Maura Healey. "I thank Mayor Walsh for his leadership and the opportunity to contribute to this fund to assist these businesses during this difficult time. I'll continue to collaborate with my partners in government to help all those affected by this crisis - we will get through this together." As business owners, employers, and employees navigate an evolving COVID-19-related assistance landscape, OED has created a Financial Relief Handbook and FAQ document, both of which are continuously updated. Small Business conference calls will continue every Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. to communicate policy updates, answer questions, feature relevant City of Boston departments, and troubleshoot the ecosystem of funding available from the state, federal, and private industry. For any business interested in joining these weekly calls, please email smallbiz@boston.gov.  OED has created a number of useful guides and resources for businesses impacted by COVID-19 and the Commonwealth's  Non-Essential Services and Stay At Home Order. Open Businesses in Boston: a tool for essential businesses to publicly share that they're open, share gift-card information, and which (if any) delivery/take-out services they use. This guide is available for residents to utilize, and explore what local businesses are open in their neighborhoods.  Support Boston Restaurants: a web page for restaurants to publicly share that they're open, share gift-card information, and which (if any) delivery/take-out services they use. This guide is available for residents to utilize, and explore what local businesses are open in their neighborhoods.  Takeout and Delivery Guidebook: a guide on how to establish food takeout and delivery services now that the City of Boston has lifted licensing regulations.  Small Business Survey: the third of four surveys for small businesses to pinpoint the help and services they need during this time.  The above resources and more industry-specific guidance are accessible on boston.gov/small-business or under the Local Resources "Economic Development Response" on  boston.gov/coronavirus.

In State of the City Address, Mayor Walsh announces East Boston Transportation Action Committee

BOSTON - Tuesday, January 7, 2020 - Building on his commitment to ensuring Boston's streets are safe, equitable and reliable for all, Mayor Martin J. Walsh during his State of the City address tonight announced the creation of an East Boston Transportation Action Committee.

"This year, we will build on our community planning in East Boston, launching a Transportation Action Committee to address the traffic challenges there," said Mayor Walsh. "Transportation is crucial to ensuring our residents can get to their homes, their jobs and their schools, and my Administration will continue working hard to create the best transportation options for residents in Boston. I look forward to working with the East Boston community to make transportation better for all."

Important projects under consideration include improving bus reliability on Meridian Street, designing Bennington Street to be safer and more bike friendly, and re-imagining Day Square with additional public space.

In his speech, Mayor Walsh announced new efforts to reduce congestion and improve in Boston, including launching a Transportation Action Committee in East Boston to address the unique circumstances in the neighborhood. The committee will include local residents, advocates and stakeholders.

Since launching Boston's safety plan, Vision Zero, the City has cut fatalities on Boston roads by half. Mayor Walsh again called for Boston to have a seat on the MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board, noting Boston is the largest payer into the MBTA--but doesn't have a voice at the table. In addition to this advocacy, Mayor Walsh urged Boston's partners at the Massachusetts Legislature to take up transportation financing, and enable Boston to use Regional Ballot Initiatives (RBI) to fund its transportation initiatives.

Last year, the Boston Transportation Department resurfaced over 30 miles of roads, repainted over 1,000 crosswalks, rebuilt sidewalks, installed safety signage all throughout Boston, cut the ribbon on North Square in the North End, and broke ground on new streets and sidewalks in Roxbury. The Boston Transportation Department has also worked to improve active transportation options, improving bike connections from Jamaica Plain, Mission Hill, and the South End to downtown. Additional work includes rethinking how our connections operate, designing bridges in Charlestown, South Boston, Hyde Park and Long Island that work for everyone.

In November, Mayor Walsh announced a significant milestone reached on the implementation of the City's Go Boston 2030 transportation plan, with more than half of the 58 projects and policies identified in the plan currently underway. The comprehensive plan was unveiled in 2017 and is designed to provide, by the year 2030, a safe, reliable and equitable transportation system that also supports Boston's climate goals. In just two years, the Boston Transportation Department and its partners have made significant progress on their planning goals, designed to increase safety, accessibility, equity and affordability in transportation for all residents. Twenty-one projects are already in implementation and another 17 are in design.

Source: Mayor's Press Office

Mayor Walsh celebrates groundbreaking of new East Boston police station on Eagle Hill

The first new police station in ten years, the $29.9 million construction will be located on East Eagle Street

BOSTON - Wednesday, October 16, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined Boston Police Commissioner William Gross, Boston police officers and community members to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new East Boston Police Station on East Eagle Street.

The start of construction on the District A-7 precinct marks a $29.9 million investment in East Boston's community and safety by creating a building to improve the Boston Police Department's operations in the neighborhood, and create a community space. This new police station will be the first complete new station in a decade.

"In Boston, we put our community first, and this new police station is an investment in East Boston, and in public safety," said Mayor Walsh. "This station is our commitment to the next generation. We're dedicated to community policing, and that means interacting with residents, families and youth in a positive way. For our young people, this station is a place where they can learn about a career in law enforcement, join a youth group, or get mentoring. We will continue to invest in our values of trust and community, and create public spaces that help all residents."

As Boston leads in community policing, the city's crime rate is down 25 percent in the last five years. In A-7, major crime is down by 15 percent this year.

"Our officers work hard every day to serve the residents of Boston, creating relationships and ensuring public safety," said Boston Police Commissioner Gross. "I'm proud that my department has won the trust and respect of our residents, and this new building will allow our police officers to do their jobs more effectively, and continue their incredible work and relationships with the East Boston community."

The design and location of the building creates a more efficient 27,000 square foot, three story station, and will be LEED Silver Certified, as part of Mayor Walsh's Climate Action Plan goals.

The new building will include a lobby, front desk and gathering space for the community that holds up to 49 people, a community service office, new fencing, a parking area, pedestrian paths, landscaping, and new site utilities. The station will also contribute to Mayor Walsh's "Percent for Art" program by permanently housing a piece of public art.

The "Percent for Art" program is the City of Boston's five-year commitment to granting $13.4 million to public art pieces over the time-frame. It is a part of the City's cultural plan, Boston Creates, founded in 2016. The allocation of funds for the new police station comes from Mayor Walsh's Capital Plan for fiscal years 2020 to 2024 supported by the Capital Budget.

This is one of several BPD projects that will be funded by the Capital Budget. Public safety and education make up 60 percent of spending in the Capital Plan.

The Boston Police Department and the City of Boston's Public Facilities Department partnered with Leers Weinzapfel Architects and J&J Contractors Inc. to design an efficient and effective, community-oriented police station.

The A-7 police station builds on Mayor Walsh's commitment to investing in community spaces and services for residents in East Boston, and across the city.

In East Boston, Mayor Walsh has dedicated $2.4 million for renovation at Engine 5 for the Boston Fire Department; $8.9 million for the Paris Street swimming pool; $4.8 million for Noyes Park; $1 million for a new senior center at Orient Heights; $3 million for McArdle Bridge; new lights at Memorial Stadium; and resilience upgrades at key points along the waterfront.

 

Mayor Walsh signs "An Act to Further Leverage Commercial Development to Build Housing, Create Jobs, and Preserve Inclusionary Development."

BOSTON - Thursday, September 12, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined members of the Boston City Council, community residents and advocates as he signed "An Act to Further Leverage Commercial Development to Build Housing, Create Jobs, and Preserve Inclusionary Development." This Home Rule Petition enables the City of Boston to have more flexibility to fund affordable housing and workforce training through Boston's Linkage program, and will codify the Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) into Boston's Zoning Code to protect the City's ability to create and fund income-restricted housing. Mayor Walsh proposed the Home Rule Petition in January 2019 as part of his 2019-2020 legislative package. Following the signing, the proposal will move to the Massachusetts Legislature for approval. 

"We must use every tool we have to leverage Boston's growth to invest in affordable housing and workforce training for our residents," said Mayor Walsh. "I am proud to sign this legislation that addresses one of our most pressing issues in Boston: building more opportunities for all. I thank the City Council and many advocates for helping us take this critical step forward, and look forward to working with the Legislature to quickly move this bill into law." 

Boston's Linkage program provides funding for affordable housing and workforce training through payments by large-scale commercial real estate development. Under the current law, the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) is only allowed to adjust Linkage every three years based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Currently, commercial developments over 100,000 square feet pay $10.81 per square foot for housing and jobs Linkage. The money collected is made available through competitive funding rounds administered by the Neighborhood Housing Trust and the City of Boston's Office of Workforce Development.  

The Home Rule Petition signed today will allow Boston to make adjustments to the required payment and program guidelines, including annual adjustments, allowing for Linkage to be more closely aligned with the market and offering additional opportunities for the creation of affordable housing and workforce development.

Since 2014, the City has invested $43 million in housing funding from Linkage that it has leveraged for a total of $723 million in additional public funds across 66 developments. Those projects have created 1,546 new affordable units and preserved 749 existing affordable units. Between 2015 and 2016, Linkage helped more than 2,300 low- and moderate-income residents access job training and education programs. After job placement, graduates of the training programs earned an average wage of $15.23 per hour with 72 percent earning benefits as well.

"Housing our communities and preparing residents for economic prosperity are critical priorities for the City of Boston," said City Councilor Lydia Edwards. "This legislation will ensure Boston secures lasting affordability for those who live here today as we plan for growth and development in Boston neighborhoods."

"Throughout the legislative process, my City Council colleagues and I heard from a range of stakeholders who expressed how this Home Rule Petition would be a specific tool to address the housing crisis in Boston," said City Councilor Michael Flaherty. "This legislation will enable Boston to update the Linkage exaction rates on an annual basis to allow for the City to make adjustments based on the realities of the real estate market. Giving the City more flexibility and local control over the exaction rates is especially important so as we continue to go through an  era of rapid growth and development. I join Mayor Walsh and my Council colleagues in advocating to move this bill forward."    

The Home Rule Petition also codifies Boston's Inclusionary Development Policy (IDP) into the Boston Zoning Code. Under the current law, IDP requires that developers of buildings with 10or more units seeking zoning relief or building on City of Boston owned land set aside a percentage of their on-site units as income-restricted, create off-site income-restricted units, or make a payment to the IDP fund. As the BPDA completes comprehensive planning in Boston's neighborhoods and updates Boston's existing zoning, more market rate residential projects may become as of right and be exempt from IDP requirements. The Home Rule Petition strengthens Boston's IDP as a strategy to capture affordable housing units and funding from projects which are zoning compliant, expanding the work under Mayor Walsh to create and preserve Boston's affordable housing. 

"Workforce development and economic mobility go hand in hand in helping people achieve economic self-sufficiency," said Joanne Hilferty, President and CEO of Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries, which operates MassHire Boston Career Center, and provides job training and career services for 7,500 individuals annually. "We applaud Mayor Walsh and the Boston City Council for their work on strengthening the Linkage Program to create more access to job training and career services for those who need it most."

Since the inception of IDP in 2000, the policy has resulted in 2,706 units of stable, income-restricted housing for moderate- and middle-income families, and $154 million in funding. When combined with other affordable housing resources, this funding has supported the completion or preservation of 2,006 additional units of housing, affordable to very low-, low-, and moderate-income households.

"It is important that the City continues to increase affordable housing options for Boston's households that are rent burdened," said Karen Chen, Executive Director of the Chinatown Progressive Association. "We need to do everything we can to ensure that our low-income residents can remain in their neighborhoods, near their jobs, schools and families. I want to thank the Mayor and the City Council for passing this important home-rule petition and commit that the IDP and Linkage coalitions will work hard to get this bill passed at the State."

The BPDA is currently working with outside consultants, the development community and housing and job advocates to explore policy changes to both Linkage and IDP beyond the legislative changes made in the Home Rule Petition.  

The Mayor's commitment to increasing affordable housing in the City is reflected in Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030, Boston's latest  quarterly housing report, and the City's overall housing goal of 69,000 new units by 2030. These 69,000 new units include 15,820 new income-restricted units, which would elevate Boston's income-restricted inventory total to 70,000, or one in five of all housing units. In addition, the plan set a goal to preserve 85 percent of Boston's most at-risk privately-owned affordable units, and to purchase 1,000 units of rental housing stock from the speculative market and income-restrict them for perpetuity. 

ABOUT MAYOR WALSH'S 2019 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

Mayor Walsh's legislative agenda continues his administration's work to create greater opportunity for all residents, and serves all people of Massachusetts through its focus on equity. The bills are grouped into different categories: housing security and economic mobility, environment and transportation, education, and health and public safety, and are aimed at ensuring Boston and Massachusetts' growth benefits all communities in the Commonwealth. For more information about the bills and to track the City's advocacy, please visit boston.gov/legislativeagenda. 

"Map Fragments" at AtlanticWorks: Opening Reception Sunday, September 8!

Solo exhibition of paintings on folded paper by X Bonnie Woods

Map Fragments

Sept 1-29, 2019

Opening Reception: Sunday, Sept. 8, 4-7pm
Third Thursday party and artist’s talk: Sept. 19, 6-9pm
Gallery Hours: Fridays and Saturdays, 2-6 pm, or by
appointment. (781-426-5827)

X Bonnie Woods is an artist based in Boston and Berlin, Germany. Her works challenge traditional ideas about artistic materials and boundaries. She has exhibited her paintings and photos widely in the U.S. and Europe. 

The paintings are often map-like, and sometimes include hidden elements of language.

The newest series includes “Map Fragments,” her glimpse into the piecemeal and fragmentary way that contemporary Americans have come to view the world.

Woods paints on folded printmaking paper with Sumi, a dense black Asian ink. Large-scale works done outdoors often incorporate rain or snow. 

Relief printing and ink washes dominate. Her playful use of water tension, gravity, and the random effects of weather are important parts of the process.

East Boston Farmers Market Opens July 3!

www.ebnhc.org

Boston Housing Authority Implements Small Area Fair Market Rents For Greater Boston Area

To expand opportunity and prevent displacement, BHA will apply the HUD’s Fair Market Rent formula by zip code

(BOSTON, July 1, 2019) –  Today, the Boston Housing Authority implemented a Small Area Fair Market Rent (SAMFR) policy, allowing more than 12,000 residents with federal Housing Choice Vouchers greater access to Boston area neighborhoods and towns.  The BHA, along with the Cambridge Housing Authority, are the first housing authorities in the Nation to voluntarily adopt the SAFMR standards.

Historically, housing authorities have been limited by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to one payment standard, known as Fair Market Rent (FMR), for each metropolitan area. However, under new HUD regulations, BHA can now adjust its payment standards for each zip code, more precisely matching the actual rental costs.   As a result, families will now have the choice to rent in areas that have historically been unaffordable with a voucher. This change affirmatively furthers fair housing goals and takes steps towards deconcentrating voucher families by providing expanded housing choices in Boston and the surrounding areas. 

"Our housing efforts have always been grounded by our fundamental belief that every person, regardless of their income, is deserving of a home," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "By implementing the Small Area Fair Market Rent policy for voucher holders, we are doubling down on one of the most important aspects of our fair housing efforts - the right for people to choose a place to live that works best for themselves and their families."      

The Federal Housing Choice Voucher Program, known as Section 8, is a program funded by the federal government to subsidize rent for low-income families and individuals across the United States. Voucher-holders pay approximately 30% of their income towards rent and utilities, and the federal government covers the rest for apartments up to a certain dollar amount.

Prior to this change the BHA payment standards for a two-bedroom apartment was $1914 for every zip code, city, and town in the Boston area, regardless of the actual cost of housing in individual neighborhoods. With only one payment standard for the entire region, voucher holders have been historically concentrated in low-income income areas, while failing to meet the needs of renters who may wish to pursue housing elsewhere. The new SAFMR will adjust the payment standards in all 236 zip codes in the Boston Housing Authority coverage area to more precisely match the actual rents in those towns and neighborhoods. For example, the implementation of SAFMR increases the two-bedroom payment standard in Brighton to $2600, in Newton to $2800, and in Framingham to $2200, making more neighborhoods accessible and affordable for BHA voucher holders.

“When the Section 8 Program was first created, it was designed to empower low-income people with the ability to choose where they want to live and raise their families.” BHA Administrator Bill McGonagle said. “By matching our Housing Choice Vouchers with the actual cost of rent in our communities, we hope to fulfill that promise.”

In setting its policy, BHA utilized current rental data to ensure that payment standards are high enough to prevent the displacement of voucher holders who wish to stay in their current neighborhood, but not so high that they would have the effect of artificially driving up rents for both voucher and non-voucher renters.

This year, BHA was able to secure approximately $28,000,000 in additional funding for vouchers after BHA, Cambridge and the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development initiated a rent survey and appealed the FMR. The survey demonstrated the need for a higher FMR after the previous HUD FMR rate lagged significantly behind the Boston region’s rising rental market. The new rate and additional funding allowed BHA to implement SAFMR without lowering the payment standards in some Boston neighborhoods.

A chart of the new 2019 payment standards by zip code can be found here.

This policy was submitted as an  amendment to the BHA’s 2019 Annual Plan Leased Housing Administrative Plan.  The policy change followed a public comment period and public hearing at the Copley Branch of the Boston Public Library.  The majority of comments were very favorable but the BHA did adjust some payment standards in response to comments related to concerns about actual rent levels in some communities and displacement. 

Following $4.7 million in improvements, Mayor Walsh reopens Noyes Park

BOSTON - Friday, June 14, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department this week celebrated more than $4.7 million in improvements to Noyes Park in East Boston during a Neighborhood Coffee Hour held on Wednesday, June 12. 

“Noyes Park has undergone major reconstruction and we are proud to share the results of the hard work that went into this project with the East Boston community,” said Mayor Walsh.  “The new and improved Noyes Park will be a place that children and families will enjoy for many years to come, and I want to thank everyone involved for bringing this great new park to life.”

Funded with a $4.7 million investment from Mayor Walsh’s Capital Plan, including a $400,000 Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant and a $100,000 grant from Youth Lead the Change, site improvements include new LED sports lighting, a synthetic soccer/softball field, a fenced and irrigated baseball field with batting/pitching cage and covered player’s benches, a fenced and irrigated Little League field with scoreboard and covered player’s benches, a playground for ages 5 to 12 and 2 to 5 with rubber safety surfacing, a rope climber and dish swing, 2 to 5 play structure and tot swings, splash pad, two basketball courts, a walking loop and exercise station, new trees, and rain gardens.

Noyes Playground is one of the largest playgrounds in East Boston at 8.22 acres. The park has traditionally served baseball, softball, Little League, soccer, and as a playground.  The comprehensive renovation approach allowed the Parks Department design team to look at ways to separate uses while diversifying and providing additional uses within the park. This project was done in coordination with a tidal gate being installed by the Boston Water and Sewer Commission at Constitution Beach to stop tidal flooding from entering the site along Saratoga Street.

The Neighborhood Coffee Hours give residents a unique opportunity to speak directly with Mayor Walsh and staff from City departments about open space and other needs in their neighborhoods.  Through these discussions and a suggestion box at each site, Mayor Walsh looks forward to hearing how the City of Boston can improve upon local parks, public areas, and city services.

Steppingstone Foundation receives grant from Cummings Foundation; 169 East Boston among many students served

Steppingstone awarded $100,000: Boston Nonprofit receives Cummings Foundation Grant

BOSTON, MA — The Steppingstone Foundation is one of 100 local nonprofits to receive grants of $100,000 through Cummings Foundation “$100k for 100” program. The Boston-based organization was chosen from nearly 600 applicants during a competitive review process.

Founded in 1990, The Steppingstone Foundation is a non-profit organization that develops and implements programs that prepare under-served students for educational opportunities that lead to college success. Each year, Steppingstone provides 12+ years of academic and social-emotional support to nearly 1,600 Boston students from traditionally marginalized communities to help them get into and through college. Steppingstone is also a partner of Boston Public Schools. The program currently serves 169 students from East Boston.

“We are thrilled to be the recipient of a Cummings Foundation $100K for 100 grant and grateful for the consistent support it will provide us over the next several years,”  said Steppingstone President Kelly Glew. The $100K for 100 grant will benefit Steppingstone’s College Services program, which works to help Steppingstone Scholars successfully enroll in college, persist, and graduate by providing support during the college application and enrollment process, financial aid counseling, and one-on-one advising during the college years. 

The $100K for 100 program supports nonprofits based in and serving Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk counties, all areas where Cummings Foundation owns commercial buildings. “By having such a local focus, we aim to make a meaningful positive difference in the communities where our colleagues and leasing clients live and work,” said Joel Swets, Cummings Foundation’s executive director. “We are most grateful for the nonprofit organizations that assist and empower our neighbors, and we are proud to support their efforts.” 

This year’s grant recipients represent a wide variety of initiatives, including homelessness prevention, affordable housing, educational equity, violence prevention, and food insecurity. Most of the grants will be paid over two to five years. Steppingstone’s President Kelly Glew and Chief Advancement Officer Kate Wood recently joined approximately 300 other guests at TradeCenter 128 in Woburn to celebrate the $10 million inflow into Greater Boston’s nonprofit sector.

The complete list of 100 grant winners is available at CummingsFoundation.org. 
. 

June 12: Mayor Walsh's Coffee Hour in East Boston and the Re-opening of Noyes Park

Mayor Walsh column: Investing in our next generation

by Mayor Martin J. Walsh


In 2015, we launched BuildBPS, a 10-year educational and facilities master plan that reflects a $1 billion commitment to our students. This plan is a promise to our young people that their schools will be equipped with the facilities, tools, and curriculum they need to succeed in today’s world. We have said many times that making sure our students have the best learning facilities available to them is a priority, and today we’re taking the next step to fulfill that promise: a planning and engagement process for school expansions and re-configurations. 


The majority of Boston's public schools were constructed before World War II, and many lack modern educational spaces like music and technology classrooms. There are also several different grade configurations, meaning that many students change schools several times before graduating from high school. We want to simplify things for families by offering single-transition pathways. Families have also told us that they want to see more K-6 schools in their neighborhoods, and this next step in the plan provides an opportunity to meet that need as well. 


The Boston Public Schools (BPS) recently announced updates to the BuildBPS plan. These include: modernizing school facilities; adopting two preferred grade configuration models of K-6/7-12 and K-8/9-12; increasing access to classroom seats in neighborhoods with the most need; addressing declining enrollment and sustainability in the few remaining middle schools serving grades 6-8; and facilitating greater equity of program placement to meet the needs of students with disabilities, English learners, and more.


Ensuring smooth transitions for students and families is a top priority and critical to expanding high-quality school options in all neighborhoods across our city. After years of analyzing school enrollment patterns and facility layouts and capacity, we are now asking for the community to get involved in the process by providing feedback to the following updates: 


A new 7-12 school at the site of the current McCormack Middle School on Columbia Point in Dorchester, which will combine programming with the Boston Community Leadership Academy (BCLA) in Hyde Park. This new, fully-renovated school will open in the fall of 2022 and will keep specialized programs from both schools, including those for English learners and students with disabilities. 

Expanding 17 elementary schools from grades K-5 to K-6, which includes five schools in South Boston and Dorchester in September 2020 (Dever, Perkins, Tynan, Everett, Clap); six schools citywide in September 2020; and six East Boston schools in September 2021.

Expanding middle-grade seat capacity in East Boston through possible expansion at East Boston High School while maintaining options at the Umana and McKay K-8 schools.

Purchasing property at 189 Paris Street in East Boston to construct a new school building to serve elementary grades, and at 249 Harrison Avenue in Chinatown for a new Josiah Quincy Upper School. 

Continuing to seek property near the Dorchester-Mattapan line to construct a new school building to address the need for elementary seats in the area.

Beginning a planning and engagement process leading to the reconfiguration of the Edwards Middle School in Charlestown, phasing out the grade 6-8 middle school in June 2021, and reconfiguring the school to expand pre-K and elementary grade capacity.

Continuing a planning and engagement process for schools in Allston-Brighton to address facilities challenges at the Jackson/Mann and Horace Mann schools.

Continue working with Grove Hall Alliance school communities (Burke High, Frederick Middle, Trotter K-8, King K-8, and Haynes Early Education Center) to review feeder patterns for the potential creation of a pathway for students.

All of these proposals advance the values of BuildBPS by ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality, 21st-century public education. Throughout this process, we’ll rely on the input of residents and BPS families. BPS will keep providing updates at bostonpublicschools.org/buildbps with more details on how the plan will affect them. I look forward to working with the community on these exciting changes. 

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East Boston observes Memorial Day with Central Square ceremony

 

Photo gallery at eastboston.com

Mayor Walsh, Boston EMS and Massport open new EMS Station in East Boston

Photo credit: Mayor's Press Office 

BOSTON - Wednesday, May 22, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined members of Boston EMS and Massport for a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the newly renovated Boston EMS Station at Logan International Airport.

Building on his commitment to improving emergency response times citywide, last year Mayor Walsh announced a second ambulance would be dedicated to East Boston, bringing additional capacity to serve the neighborhood's residents.

"This second ambulance will bring major benefits," said Mayor Walsh. "It will help EMTs move more quickly and efficiently throughout East Boston, increasing capacity if there is an emergency happening at Logan Airport. It will reduce response times for our residents who need immediate medical care, saving even more lives."

Under Mayor Walsh, citywide response times for Priority 1 calls were 6.3 minutes in 2018, down from 6.4 minutes in 2017. Boston EMS responds to more than 125,000 calls all across the city each year, 7,700 of those incidents are in East Boston.

"Boston EMS is a national leader in emergency medical services. And this opportunity to add additional resources to serve residents and visitors to the city of Boston with this new facility is an important one," said EMS Chief James Hooley. "We are happy to be here in East Boston today with Mayor Walsh and Massport."

Mayor Walsh, EMS and Massport collaborated on the expansion of the station at Logan to give EMS a permanent home which can serve not only the airport but the entire East Boston neighborhood.

Photo: Mayor's Office 

"At Logan Airport, we work collaboratively with Boston EMS, and when the City wanted to add a second ambulance to service East Boston, it only made sense that we upgrade and expand the existing facility," said Massport Acting CEO John Pranckevicius. "It is part of Massport's mission to be a good neighbor to our surrounding communities. This new facility will provide dividends to the growing East Boston neighborhood and to Logan Airport for many years ahead."

Mayor Walsh's FY20 budget includes additional resources to promote diversity in recruitment classes for the EMT City Academy program as well as resources for another Community Assistance Team, also known as Squad 80. Squad 80 is a two-person team that travels in an SUV and answers calls where patients have a low frequency of being transported to the emergency room. Squad 80 frees up city ambulances, making more ambulances available for priority calls that need to get patients to the hospital. It also connects people to our recovery or homeless services and other city programs.

The FY20-24 Capital Plan allocates an additional $375,000 for design and construction of a new EMS garage with staff amenities in the Seaport district. Both investments will allow the City's services to transform and expand as the City's population does the same.

Today's ribbon cutting falls in the middle of the 45th Annual National EMS week, a week designed to honor and celebrate the men & women who provide day-to-day lifesaving services.

About Boston EMS

Boston EMS is the primary provider of emergency medical services for the City of Boston and is a nationally recognized leader in the field of pre-hospital emergency medicine. The department leverages the latest advances in both medicine and technology to bring high-quality, compassionate care to the people of Boston. Boston EMS also plays a key role in the City's emergency preparedness efforts and provides community programming designed to educate the public about important health and safety topics.

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