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.

Mayor Walsh announces call to artists for permanent public art at new East Boston police station

BOSTON - Monday, March 25, 2019 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture, in collaboration with the Boston Art Commission and Boston Police Department, today announced a call to artists to create a permanent piece of public art that complements a new police station in East Boston that was funded through Mayor Walsh's Imagine Boston 2030 Capital Plan.

"Incorporating public art into the construction of this new police station is exciting because it gives us the opportunity to make the building more welcoming, approachable, and reflective of the rich culture in East Boston," said Mayor Walsh. "Through the Percent for Art program, we will continue to make more public art available for people to enjoy all across the City of Boston."

This call to artists is part of the City of Boston's Percent for Art program, announced by Mayor Walsh in 2016, which sets aside one percent of the City's annual capital borrowing as a budget for the commission of public art. The City also has Percent for Art projects underway in Jamaica Plain and Roxbury.

The public art will be placed on the future new Area A-7 Police Station in East Boston, which recently received an investment of $29 million through the Mayor's capital plan for design and construction of a new 27,505 square foot station that will be situated at the intersection of East Eagle and Condor Streets. The new building will be welcoming to the community, while having a civic presence through public art.

"Any opportunity, be it through police work or art work, that allows the men and women of the BPD to expand their capacity to protect and serve our community members while drawing attention to and highlighting the accessibility of our neighborhood police stations, as well as the approach-ability of our hard-working police officers is most certainly a project that we want to participate in and fully support," said Police Commissioner William Gross.

Artists are encouraged to consider three key qualities of the East Boston neighborhood in their applications: its deep history within a wide variety of immigrant communities, its geographic location and how that has put it on the front lines of climate change, and its strong neighborhood identity and close-knit community.

"In a changing, diverse, and growing neighborhood like Eastie, public art can bring people together by communicating at several levels to several folks," said Kannan Thiruvengadam, director of Eastie Farm and an East Boston resident. "It can beautify space, make people stop, see, and wonder, and provoke thought and conversation."

The City has identified several potential sites for the artwork, including the entrance lobby, the community room, and three locations outside of the station. The project is expected to take approximately two years to complete.


A rendering indicating the locations identified as potential sites for the artwork.

This call to artists is open to all artists, artisans, architects, landscape architects, or teams with experience in public art, site responsive design, project management, and construction administration.

"This project is the perfect opportunity to showcase the power public art can have on uniting communities and fostering cross-cultural exchange," said Kara Elliott-Ortega, Chief of Arts and Culture for the City of Boston. "I look forward to seeing how this project helps us reach a new level of creative problem solving and bridge the gap between law enforcement and local residents."

An Artist Selection Committee comprised of representatives from the Boston Art Commission and local arts professionals representing East Boston will review applications using criteria including experience, past work, knowledge of materials and their durability, experience working with multiple stakeholders, and how well the artist/team responds to the goals and community values outlined in the call.

The deadline to apply for the project is Thursday, April 25 at noon EST. To apply for the project, visit here.

About the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture
The Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture's mission is to support artists, the cultural sector, and to promote access to the arts for all. The office houses the Boston Cultural Council, the Boston Art Commission, and the Poet Laureate program. Responsibilities include implementing the City's cultural plan, Boston Creates; commissioning public art, managing the Boston Artist-in-Residence program; curating exhibitions in City Hall; and operating the historic Strand Theater in Dorchester. For more information go to: www.boston.gov/departments/arts-and-culture

About the Boston Art Commission
The Boston Art Commission (BAC), an independent board of arts leaders charged with the care and custody of all artworks on City of Boston property, advocates for the creation of innovative and transformative art and promotes its accessibility to enrich the lives of Boston's diverse citizens and visitors. The Art Commission advises, supports, and consults with artists and communities, City departments, and others. It commissions, approves, and conserves the City of Boston's collection of art and historical artifacts. For more information, go to: www.publicartboston.com 

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Source: Mayor's Press Office  March 25, 2019; For more information please contact the Press Office at 617-635-4461

Mayor Walsh: Back to School, a letter to all Boston students.

Back to School 

By Mayor Martin J. Walsh

Dear Students, 

September is one of my favorite months. The weather is getting cooler, football is back in season, and students like yourselves are heading back to school.

You might not know it, but it takes a village to prepare for the first day of school. Your teachers, principals, and custodians have spent the summer getting ready for the big day--- creating lessons, preparing your classrooms, and planning the great adventures you’re sure to have this year. 

The first day of school provides countless opportunities. You’ll find new ways to develop as students, athletes, artists, and leaders. You’ll reconnect with old friends, and make new ones. It’s a fresh start--- a chance to start things off on the right foot. I hope that you will set new goals, and work hard to make this your best school year yet. 

The new year will also bring new challenges. But persevering is an important part of school and growing up. I can say that from personal experience. When I was seven, I was diagnosed with cancer. I had to miss a lot of school for treatments and I even had to repeat fifth grade. But the support of my family, my teachers, and my friends helped me pull through. That’s the strength of the Boston community. I hope you know that our city will always have your back, too. If you’re ever going through a hard time, don’t hesitate to ask a trusted adult, a teacher, or your school community for help. We’re all here to root one another on. 

Whatever this school year has in store, I wish you the best of luck. Challenge yourselves. Try new things. And put your best foot forward. If you start the school year with an open mind and an open heart, there’s nothing you can’t achieve. I’ll be rooting for you every step of the way. 

I’ll see you soon, 

Mayor Walsh 

Mayor Walsh announces planning initiatives for East Boston

BOSTON - Wednesday, June 6, 2018 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced that the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA), with stakeholders from across the City, will launch planning initiatives this year in Downtown, East Boston, Mattapan, Newmarket, and a mobility-focused planning initiative in Allston-Brighton. Guided by Imagine Boston 2030, Mayor Walsh looks to continue working in partnership with communities across the City to ensure Boston preserves wisely, enhances equitably, and grows inclusively.  Through these three principles of "preserve, enhance, and grow," the planning initiatives will work with the community to create a comprehensive vision for each of the planning areas and guide future growth and investment.

"Over the last four years, we have set strong foundations in our planning efforts that will guide our growth as a city in a way that is responsible and inclusive, for many years into the future," said Mayor Walsh. "These five new planning processes represent a continuation of our commitment to fulfill the individual needs of each neighborhood that both preserve the distinct historic character, and allow for us as a community to plan together for our bright future ahead."

The planning initiatives build on the strategies outlined in Imagine Boston 2030, Boston's first citywide plan in 50 years aimed at guiding growth and those of Housing A Changing City: Boston 2030, Mayor Walsh's plan to create housing at a variety of income levels across the City. The goals outlined in the Mayor's housing plan are currently being reviewed to ensure that they continue to reflect current conditions. 

Imagine Boston 2030 prioritizes inclusionary growth and puts forth a comprehensive vision to boost quality of life, equity and resilience in every neighborhood across the City.  To achieve this vision, Imagine Boston identifies places for growth and enhancement that will help the city achieve its goals of becoming more equitable, improving quality of life, and preparing for climate change. This includes:

Enhance Neighborhoods: In some residential neighborhoods - such as East Boston and Mattapan - comprehensive planning will include a focus on balancing contextually-sensitive development alongside preservation; supporting existing residents and businesses through increased access to opportunity, affordability strategies, and anti-displacement policies; improving the public realm and access to open space and neighborhood-serving amenities; addressing mobility challenges; and supporting neighborhood resiliency and preparing for climate change. In other neighborhoods - such as Allston-Brighton, mobility planning will help to address the challenges presented by the increased pace of development projects.

"I applaud the Mayor for following through on his commitment to East Boston regarding development planning," said Ernani Jose DeAraujo, Vice President of the Eagle Hill Civic Association.  "While residents have benefited from the strong economy and many jobs created in the past few years and as home prices have increased, we need a comprehensive plan for development to make sure all families can stay in East Boston and continue to thrive, regardless of their income."

"As a resident of East Boston and a Board Member with the Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association, I've seen many changes in the neighborhood," said Renee Scalfani. "Thank you to Mayor Walsh and the BPDA for listening to residents and business-owners and establishing this PLAN: East Boston initiative. This is something that will help the neighborhood tremendously and working with the City on this issue will be beneficial for all the residents of East Boston." 

PLAN: East Boston

PLAN: East Boston will work with the community in the existing neighborhoods in East Boston that are facing increased development pressures to determine a shared vision for the future of the neighborhood. Community discussion will focus on preservation of the existing residential fabric, enhancement of the vitality of existing residential communities and businesses, anti-displacement strategies for residents and businesses, connectivity along the waterfront, mobility, and flood protection and climate resiliency. 

The BPDA is exploring moving forward with an East Boston Interim Planning Overlay District (IPOD) for East Boston's existing residential neighborhoods, an interim zoning tool that is used to maintain increased public review and community voice in the evaluation of proposed new development during a planning process.

Statement from City Councilor Lydia Edwards on the mayor's ordinance regulating short-term rentals

"The Mayor's decision to regulate short-term rentals in Boston is a welcomed start to a necessary discussion about protecting our housing stock. The devastating impact of short-term rentals can be seen city-wide and is exasperated by absentee landlords and multi-unit owners.

I hope we get a balanced approach that returns the short-term rental market back to its original intent of providing supplemental income to residents living at the property and provides a way to hold hosts accountable to their neighbors.

I'm excited to work with all stakeholders, including short-term rental companies, to review the necessary data and explore innovative solutions to protect our city's housing stock and prevent displacement in Boston."

Boston City Councilor Edwards currently represents district one including the neighborhoods of Charlestown, East Boston, and the North End. 

She was recently appointed by City Council president Andrea Campbell to serve as Chair of the Housing and Community Development committee for FY 2018-2019.

Councilor Edwards was also appointed by Councilor Campbell serve on Boston's Neighborhood Housing Trust which was established in 1983 to prioritize funding for affordable and workforce units throughout the City by working with developers on large scale projects.

Source: Office of District 1 City Councilor Lydia Edwards

Text of East Boston resident David Arinella's remarks at Mayor's press conference 4/13

Text of remarks. 

In Eastie, Mayor Walsh Announces Universal Pre-Kindergarten Advisory Committee

Seeks to Double Enrollment of Four-Year-Olds in Pre-K Programs by 2018: EB Social Center's John Kelly appointed as member of advisory committee

BOSTON – Today Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced the formation of a Universal  Pre-Kindergarten Advisory Committee to recommend a city-wide strategic framework and action plan to double the enrollment of four-year-olds in high quality, full-day pre-kindergarten programs by 2018. Access to full-day pre-kindergarten with a certified teacher in a Boston Public School or in a community-based program is part of the city’s multi-year effort to improve the achievement of all Boston students and close the achievement gap by grade three.

“Pre-kindergarten programs ensure that all students start kindergarten ready to learn,” said Mayor Walsh. “Rather than spend time on remediation in education, we are investing in our youngest students to lay the groundwork for their long-term success and the long-term prosperity of Boston.”

To create the framework and action plan for the expansion of full-day pre-kindergarten programs, the Universal Pre-Kindergarten Advisory Committee will look at many factors including class space requirements, teacher qualifications, funding requirements, and potential partnerships for before school, after school, and summer wrap-around services. 

Thrive in 5, a partnership between the Mayor's Office and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley, and other community partners will conduct a series of stakeholder focus groups across Boston, and offer online surveys to gather input about the strengths and needs of all of the City’s neighborhoods for high-quality pre-kindergarten. The Advisory Committee will make its recommendations for a mixed delivery system to Major Walsh in November 2014.

There are approximately 6,000 four-year-olds living in Boston, and the population of four-year-olds is projected to grow to as many as 8,000 by 2030. Currently, approximately one-third of all four-year-olds (2,200) are in the nationally-recognized Boston Public School Pre-Kindergarten (K1) Program, while others attend community-based private programs.

An estimated 25 percent of all Boston four-year-olds do not attend a pre-kindergarten program. Mayor Walsh’s FY15 budget adds over 100 K1 seats for four-year-olds.

Research on early childhood programs with trained teachers and smaller teacher to student  ratios have been shown to yield benefits in increased MCAS performance, academic achievement, improved behavior, prevention of delinquency and crime, and labor market success. Boston’s K1 program has demonstrated significant gains for all students in their language, literacy and mathematics development, and reduces the achievement gap significantly between students by third grade.

2014 Mayor’s Universal Pre-Kindergarten Advisory Committee

Co- Chairs

Jeri Robinson, Vice President for Education and Family Learning, Boston Children’s Museum*

Jason Sachs, Director of Early Childhood, Boston Public Schools*

Members

Noah Berger, President, Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center

Danubia Campos, Parent[NK1]

Michelle Cannon, Parent

Sharon Scott Chandler, Executive Vice President, Action for Boston’s Community Development (ABCD)

Ana Crowley, Parent

Anne Douglass, Assistant Professor, Early Education and Care, UMass Boston

Betsy Drinan, Co-teacher, Boston Teachers Union School

Linda Dorcena Forry, 1st Suffolk District, Massachusetts Senate

Dominique Graham, Parent

Kimberly Haskins, Senior Program Officer, Barr Foundation*

Renee Boynton Jarett, MD, ScD, Founding Director, Vital Village Community Engagement Network

John Kelly, Executive Director, East Boston Social Centers

Mary Kinsella, Vice President of Early Childhood Education and Care and School Age

Programs, Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester

Suzanne Lee, Boston Public School Principal (Retired)

Michael Loconto, Member, Boston School Committee

Susan McConathy, Director, Deloitte Consulting, LLP

Nejat Sirag, Parent

Todd Rainville, General Partner, Symmetric Capital

Marchelle Raynor, Director (Retired), Head Start

Ayesha Rodriguez, 0-5 Manager, Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative

Peg Sprague, Senior Vice President for Community Impact, United Way of Massachusetts Bay*

(Thrive in 5)

Marie St. Fleur, President and Chief Executive Officer, Betsy Tart Wilson Initiative for

Children

Jane Tewksbury, Esq., Executive Director, Thrive in 5* (Thrive in 5)

Robert Triest, Vice President and Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

Eleonora Villegas-Reimers, Ed.D., Associate Professor of Education, Wheelock College

*Steering Committee Member

Supporting Walsh, No Eastie Casino steps up opposition to MGC ruling: "Revere Casino is Illegal; East Boston is a Host Community"

NO EASTIE CASINO STEP UP THE PRESSURE!

To our friends and neighbors:

Thank you for your persistence in fighting back as the Mass Gaming Commission seeks to silence our voices and move ahead with an illegitimate process. As you may know, Mayor Marty Walsh asked the gaming commission for one month to allow his legal team to review the lengthy host community agreement to determine if Boston is a host community (as, in the case of the proposed Revere casino, we believe
research will prove it is) or a surrounding community (as Mohegan Sun argues).

The Gaming Commission -- which granted the extension to Suffolk Downs to allow them to rework this proposal and have a new vote -- denied Mayor Walsh's request. They gave him until Monday to agree to begin negotiations as a surrounding community. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!

Mayor Walsh and his legal team have taken the right approach to date. The decision and statement they make today, Monday, is a critical one. We must ask them to speak out against the unfair ruling of the Mass Gaming Commission--and to put the Commission on notice that the city of Boston will not tolerate this. Mayor Walsh is our new mayor; he promised in his inaugural address to listen to the people of Boston

and to have open and transparent government. We applaud this commitment. He must listen to the people of East Boston and do everything in his power to ensure the vote we took is respected.

Source: No Eastie Casino 1/13/14