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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East Boston Pride: Flag raising on Friday, June 8 at Piers Park

Friday, June 8, 2018
6:00 PM in Piers Park
5th Annual Pride Flag Raising Ceremony

Joint event hosted by East Boston LGBTQ Residents and allies, MassPort. Representatives from our elected officials will also participate. 

Source: Celeste Myers


Corrected.

Councilor Edwards to honor Maverick Street Mothers through Annual Scholarship Fund

(BOSTON, March 6, 2018) - Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards kicked off March as “Women’s History Month” by announcing an annual scholarship paying tribute to the Maverick Street Mothers awarded to local parents attending Boston-area colleges. 

"In honor of Women’s History Month, we celebrate the contributions of leaders who continue to inspire us, whose shoulders we stand on, and who helped shaped the history of East Boston. Today, we celebrate East Boston advocate Anna DeFronzo and all Maverick Street Mothers for their activism in fighting against airport expansion in the 1960's,” said Councilor Edwards.

"Tomorrow, we want to make sure that their legacy is never forgotten,” continued Edwards. "Therefore, I'm proud to announce a Maverick Street Mothers Scholarship Fund to be given in the fall for local parents seeking assistance to attend college."

Maverick street mother and longtime community activist Mary Ellen Welch is excited to see the next generation of leaders receive support through Edwards scholarship. "It’s been on the minds of activists that we needed younger generations to take on causes that were so important to the community back then and that are still prevalent now," said Welch.

"Councilor Edwards’ scholarship will provide the opportunity for young people to learn the importance of standing up for what is right, formulating principals around neighborhood cohesiveness, and allowing communities to have self-determination."

The Maverick Street Mothers organized community protests in the 1960’s against the Massachusetts Port Authority and the proposed expansion at the time. The protest was widely publicized as both women and men from the community formed a blockade using baby carriages to stop construction and delivery trucks on Maverick Street.

In order to be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be a local parent and resident of East Boston and attending, or planning to attend, a Boston-area college within one year. Each applicant must supply a letter of recommendation and a typed essay of no more than five-hundred (500) words describing the importance of civic engagement and community activism. Semi-finalists will then be asked to complete and in-person interview.

To find out ways to support the Maverick Street Mothers scholarship fund, please call (617) 635-3200 or e-mail gabriela.coletta@boston.gov.

Source: The Office of Councilor Edwards 3/6/2018.


Editor's note: Here's the obituary of one of the original Maverick Street Mothers, Betty Mazzarini
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Rep. Madaro files bill to force Massport to house its own ambulance

BOSTON, MA – Representative Adrian C. Madaro to file legislation requiring Massport to house its own ambulance at Logan Airport.

"Those of us who live in East Boston are well aware of the need for additional EMS services for our neighborhood," he said.

A recent Boston Globe article noted that while the average wait time for an ambulance in the City of Boston is six minutes for a Priority 1 call, East Boston residents wait an average of eight minutes for assistance. There is only one ambulance that serves both East Boston’s 40,000 plus residents and Logan Airport’s employees and patrons. 

Logan Airport accounts for approximately 30% of the calls that East Boston’s ambulance receives. In addition, it is important to note that in recent years there has been a greater need for ambulances throughout the city, with calls increasing 26% between 2005 and 2014.       

“East Boston is woefully underserved,” said Rep. Madaro. “We are geographically isolated from the rest of the City, which alone is a problem for ambulance response times. 

While a second ambulance dedicated to East Boston is the ultimate solution, requiring Massport to have its own EMS services will allow the one existing ambulance to focus solely on East Boston residents and their needs.”

Rep. Madaro’s legislation, An Act Relative to Ambulance Service at General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport, would require Massport to maintain its own ambulance for Logan Airport. This would increase access to ambulance services and help reduce wait times for East Boston, while also ensuring that the safety of East Boston residents remains a top priority.

Mayor Walsh, Massport announce new commitments to East Boston

City and Massport to partner on key projects to enhance East Boston neighborhoods

BOSTON - Tuesday, October 17, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today announced new commitments to the residents of East Boston, including Phase II of Piers Park on Boston Harbor, additional funding for the East Boston Foundation, operational funding for a new senior center for East Boston residents, and a traffic study to help mitigate congestion on Neptune Road. These commitments were identified as high impact projects by both the City of Boston and the community members and organizations of the Logan Impact Advisory Group (LIAG) through their review process for both the Terminal E modernization and the addition of 5,000 new parking spaces.

"I am proud to partner with Massport to enhance the thriving neighborhood of East Boston. These projects build on our commitment to provide new and additional pathways for economic mobility and avenues to improve quality of life for residents," said Mayor Walsh. "From improving and building upon our green spaces, to enhancing our streetscape, to providing members of our communities a new place to gather, when we invest in and improve our neighborhoods together, great things happen."

Mayor Walsh announced a new Orient Heights Senior Center to serve the senior residents of East Boston, with Massport providing operational funding for this important project. The City of Boston will help facilitate this plan, with vital input from the community incorporated into all aspects of the project.

"Community spaces and engaging programming create meaningful connections in our neighborhoods that are important for older adults," said Emily Shea, Commissioner on Affairs of the Elderly. "We look forward to continuing to build supports and services here in East Boston."

"As one of Logan Airport's host communities, East Boston has been impacted by the airport in many ways, and today, I'm proud to join my colleagues from the City of Boston and Massport to announce these new commitments which will, no doubt, have positive impacts on East Boston for many years to come," said State Senator Joseph Boncore.

The award-winning Piers Park is an active community center in East Boston with lush greenscapes, playground equipment, exercise equipment and a pier extending into Boston Harbor with gazebos highlighting the neighborhoods of East Boston. The park features some of the most spectacular views of the Boston skyline. Opened in 1995, the park won the 2014 "Best of Boston" Award for "Best Green Space" in the city. Several local organizations offer programming in the park, such as free concerts from Zumix, exercise offerings such as tai chi and yoga and the annual Eastie Pride Day.

"These commitments present exciting opportunities for East Boston and are the result of a collaborative, community-driven dialogue among local stakeholders," said State Representative Adrian Madaro. "A ten-year extension and increased funding for the East Boston Foundation, a new senior center, and an expanded Piers Park will have lasting impacts on our neighborhood that residents will enjoy for generations."

The extensive planning process for the highly anticipated Piers Park II is already underway as a collaborative effort between Massport and the residents of East Boston. The Piers Park Advisory Committee, an advisory group made up of East Boston residents, will work with Massport and its design and construction consultants to oversee the development of the park. The design, bid and construction process of Piers Park II will boast 4.5 acres of active green space and be located adjacent to the existing Piers Park. When added together, both parks will boast over ten acres of greenspace for the East Boston community.

"The partnership between the City of Boston and Massport on these important promises to the East Boston community will lead to improvements in the lives of a wide range of residents and I am looking forward to seeing these commitments come to life in the coming years," said Boston City Councilor Sal LaMattina.  

In addition, Massport will also allocate funds toward the East Boston Foundation to enhance the community of East Boston and the organizations that contribute to the betterment of the neighborhoods within it. Created by Massport in 1997, the East Boston Foundation has provided more than $10 million in financial support to 95 community programs that benefit children, adults and seniors- from sports and recreation to education, training and childcare.

"As both a lifelong resident of East Boston and a member of the Massport Board, today is particularly special as we celebrate these significant commitments to the community," said Massport Board Member John Nucci. "I look forward to seeing Piers Park II grow alongside Piers Park I, one of the centerpieces of community life in East Boston, as well as continued support of the East Boston Foundation including funding regarding a senior center for our elders, and the commitment to a study of Neptune Road's traffic impacts."

In partnership with the Boston Transportation Department, Massport will also fund a traffic study to help mitigate congestion on Neptune Road extending to Day Square. Nitsch Engineering is working to complete the study, which includes traffic counts at eight intersections and five road segments, completed GIS maps of study area, including identification of land uses, and the building of a digital traffic analysis for the study area.

"We are proud to stand here with the community of East Boston and the leadership of the Mayor and the City of Boston as we celebrate four major commitments that Massport has made to the people of East Boston," said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn. "Piers Park II, the traffic study for Neptune Road, funding to the East Boston Foundation and the Orient Heights Senior Center will contribute to the already vibrant community of East Boston."

Neptune Road is challenging for pedestrians as well as for drivers of large trucks who frequently have difficulty navigating the u-turn from the northbound off-ramp to 1A southbound due to an inadequate turning radius. This problem for oversized vehicles contributes to traffic delays on Neptune Road, a key connection for access to Route 1A, to Logan International Airport, for shuttle buses and other motor vehicles traveling between East Boston and Chelsea, and for local traffic.

"BTD is pleased to have this opportunity to partner with Massport on this transportation study as it is an opportunity to create a 'complete street' design for Neptune Road that is in keeping with our Go Boston 2030 and Vision Zero goals to provide safe and efficient access for all users of Boston's roadways," said Boston Transportation Department Commissioner Gina N. Fiandaca. "Through this process, we will take a forward-thinking approach to transportation management, looking at evolving transportation needs, changing roadway use and capacity on Neptune Road. Our focus will be on creating a comprehensive design that will work to mitigate current and future traffic impacts and enhance the surrounding East Boston community."

Massport and the community of East Boston have worked to build a strong partnership over the years. Through supporting youth employment at Piers Park Sailing Center, providing scholarship funds to students of East Boston High School, and creating safe and inviting green space for residents to enjoy, Massport and East Boston are continuing to work to make the community one of the most desirable urban areas to live in Massachusetts.

ABOUT MASSPORT
The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field, and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $15 billion annually and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. For more information, please visit massport.com.

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Source: Mayor's Press Office 10/17

Massport Awards Annual Rauseo Memorial Scholarship; EB resident awarded $5,000 for college

 

L-R: Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn, Stephen Morash (Donna’s brother), Carolyn Searles and Massport’s Director of Government and Community Affairs Jose Masso.

(BOSTON- August 11, 2016)  – The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today announced the recipient of the annual scholarship honoring the memory of longtime employee Donna Rauseo. The 2016 Donna Rauseo Memorial Scholarship was awarded to East Boston resident Carolyn Searles.
 
“We are very pleased to award Carolyn with the Donna Rauseo Scholarship. She has shown a commitment to following in Donna’s footsteps with her community service and we wish her the best of luck. Her commitment to the community as a volunteer epitomizes what we were looking for when we established the scholarship in memory of our friend and colleague Donna Rauseo,” said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn.

The $5,000 Donna Rauseo Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a female student who resides in East Boston. Ms. Rauseo was a graduate of East Boston High School and for more than 20 years was the executive assistant to Thomas J. Kinton, Jr. when he served as Aviation Director of Logan Airport and later as CEO and Executive Director for Massport.
 
Searles is a graduate of Boston Latin School. In the past, she volunteered with the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center Elder Service Plan and currently volunteers at her church. In her essay, Searles credited her volunteer work because it, “shaped my perspective on being around different groups of people... Through my education I hope to learn about and discover more ways in which to positively influence and impact people’s lives.” Searles will be attending Gordon College and is considering studying social work.
 
“Carolyn was a wonderful asset to the day program. Carolyn had a humble attitude while engaging with this population and was willing to do whatever was asked of her as a volunteer,” said Pat Bellone, Recreation Therapist for the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center.
 
To be considered for the Donna Rauseo Memorial Scholarship, students are required to have a minimum 3.0 grade point average and submit an essay of 1,000 words describing their career interests or how their community service has affected their outlook on life. Scholarship essays are judged by a committee made up of Massport employees and a representative of the Rauseo family. 

Students interested in applying for the 2017 scholarship should visit www.massport.com/scholarships for eligibility requirements.
 
The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $15 billion annually, and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. For more information please visit massport.com.

Source: Massport Press Office

Massport STEM Expo Promotes Various Transportation Careers

Students from area schools learn the practical importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

BOSTON – More than 1,500 students from 44 Greater Boston schools attended the Aviation and Maritime STEM Education Expo at Boston Logan International Airport today. The Expo is an annual education event where representatives from industry, government, and academia introduce students and educators to the opportunities and experiences offered by the aviation, maritime, and transportation fields.

“It is essential for organizations like Massport that students are exposed to careers in science, technology, engineering and math,” said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn. “Boston is home to a number of industries including life sciences, technology and innovation. We need our young people to have the interest and motivation to study the STEM disciplines so we can continue to generate the good-paying jobs and economic impact that propel the Commonwealth.”

More than 50 displays and information booths representing various aspects of the industries served as the backdrop for the event at the Delta Hangar. There were 21 aircraft including airplanes, two helicopters, numerous airport operations vehicles, as well as a Massport Fire Rescue airboat. In addition to several Massport departments, exhibitors included The Museum of Science, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Mass Maritime Academy, Massachusetts Air and Space Museum, Massachusetts State Police, Boston MedFlight and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

“Hundreds of careers at our airports were represented today,” said Massport’s Director of Aviation Ed Freni. “We rely on the engineers who design and build the planes, the pilots who fly them, the electricians who keep runways lit and radars working properly, the air traffic controllers who make sure aircraft travel safely in the sky, and many more. Showcasing the various career paths at the STEM Expo will hopefully encourage these young people to one day have a career at Logan.”

Massport employs hundreds of people in STEM fields including electricians, engineers, analysts, and technicians who work in concert to accomplish the authority’s mission of connecting Massachusetts and New England to the world. The STEM Education Expo started as a collaborative effort sponsored by the FAA and Massport in 1994.

The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field, and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $15 billion annually, and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. No state tax dollars are used to fund operations or capital improvements at Massport facilities. For more information please visit massport.com.

Tonight! Big Meeting on Massport Plans for More Parking Spaces at Logan

9/14: Dog Park to Open in Eastie: More than 22,000 fenced in square feet for your dog to play at Bremen Street Park

The Massachusetts Port Authority officially opens the Bremen Street Dog Park offering a 17,000 square-foot fenced in area for large dog and a 5,500 square-foot fenced in area for small dogs to play, socialize, and exercise. (Total: 22,655 square-foot dog park divided for large and small dogs) The park’s features include five pieces of dog agility equipment, pet waste stations, and water fountains for dogs.

WHERE:       Corner of Bremen Street and Porter Street, East Boston, MA (by the Bremen Street Park)

WHEN:         Monday, September 14, 2015 at 10 a.m.

Logan Runway Intersections to Receive Repairs: Runway closures expected to allow for new pavement

From Massport:

(BOSTON, April 17, 2015) – The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) will complete the Runway 4R-22L rehabilitation project at Boston Logan International Airport by repaving the intersections at 4R-22L and 9-27. This construction project will replace deteriorated asphalt pavement that was last rehabilitated in 2005. This will maintain the functionality and safety of the runways.

The 4R/22L rehabilitation project began last summer with the repaving of Taxiway E to the approach of Runway 22L, but the final two phases, which include the rehabilitation of the intersections at runways 4R-22L and 9-27, could not be completed due to weather.

The final two construction phases will be occur during two simultaneous 40-hour runway closures that will take place over the course of two separate weekends in order to minimize operational impacts. Weather permitting, the work is expected to begin Friday, April 17, 2015 at 10 p.m. and will be suspended on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. and normal operation of the runways will resume. In order for these closures to occur, the winds must be out of the northwest so that Runways 33L, 33R, and 32 can be utilized as an alternative. If the winds are not out of the northwest during the planned construction weekends, the runways will not close and repaving will not occur.

There are some additional nightly closures expected to perform some work on Runway 4R-22L, but those will be scheduled during overnight hours and will not impact the runways’ normal operating hours.

For information on specific changes in runway usage, please call Massport’s Noise Complaint Line at 617-561-3333 during Noise Abatement Office hours of Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Noise Complain Line will continue to be available to receive noise complaints 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For general information on this project, please call Massport’s Office of Government and Community Affairs at 617-568-3711 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Boston Logan, a short distance from the intersection of Route 128 and I-90 and five minutes from downtown Boston, serves as the gateway to the New England region and offers nonstop service to 76 domestic and 44 international destinations and in 2014 handled 31.6 million passengers. Boston Logan is served by two public transit lines and is the Air Line Pilot Association’s Airport of the Year for 2008 because of its commitment to safety.  The airport generates $13 billion in total economic impact each year.

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The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field, and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $15 billion annually, and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. No state tax dollars are used to fund operations or capital improvements at Massport facilities. For more information please visit massport.com.

Candidate Adrian Madaro Proposes Plan to Lower Taxes and Expand Soundproofing for East Boston Residents Affected by Logan Airport

(East Boston, January 26, 2015) - This week candidate for State Representative Adrian Madaro announced several proposals to mitigate the impact of Logan Airport on the residents and businesses of East Boston, including a new tax abatement for properties negatively affected by noise pollution from the airport as well as expanding subsidies to sound proof windows.

Citing residents near Chicago’s O’Hare Airport who won tax appeals after arguing their properties lost value due to noise pollution, Madaro said a similar measure should be enacted in East Boston.

“The people of East Boston should receive a tax abatement for the loss of property value caused by this noise pollution.” Madaro continued. “Residents in Chicago saw up to a 12% reduction in their taxes. Those savings would make a big difference for many families here.”

“In addition to this tax break, it’s my belief that every single household in East Boston should be eligible for sound proof windows.” said Madaro. “and I will work with the Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to expand the noise contour map to cover our entire community.”

To cover costs of these proposals, Madaro suggested that a portion of the roughly $18 million that Massport currently pays annually to the City of Boston as a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) be dedicated to lowering the property taxes of affected East Boston residents. Currently those funds are not specifically dedicated to East Boston and can be spent throughout the City.

“The payments that Massport makes to the City should be spent here in East Boston” said Madaro. “We are the ones that are most affected by the air and noise pollution and I will work with Massport and through the legislative process at the State House to ensure that these funds are used to specifically help Eastie residents.”

Adrian Madaro is a graduate of Boston Latin School and Tufts University where he also earned a Masters in Public Policy and Urban Planning. Adrian is an active member of the East Boston community, serving as a board member of the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, Vice President of the YMCA, President of the Harborside Community Council, Former Vice President of the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH), and Co-Chair and Founder of the Mario Umana Public Service Fellowship.
Source: Madaro Campaign

Nov. 12: Elected officials to cut ribbon at new PortSide Development; Roseland's Big Day in Eastie

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12th AT 2 P.M.
PORTSIDE AT EAST PIER
MARGINAL & LEWIS STREETS, EAST BOSTON, M.A

WHAT: Ribbon-cutting event for the opening of Portside at East Pier Building 7, part of Roseland and Massport’s newly completed flagship luxury residential and retail complex. The property – which is East Boston’s first waterfront residential project in decades – is the first to open as part of Roseland’s larger, master-planned, mixed-use waterfront development in Jeffries Point.

WHO:                 State Senator Anthony Petruccelli; State Representative Carlo Basile;
Brian Golden, Acting Director, Boston Redevelopment Authority; Marshall Tycher, President, Roseland; Tom Glynn, CEO, Massport
                                 
WHERE:              Portside at East Pier
                             Marginal & Lewis Streets, East Boston, MA
                             Guests encouraged to wear flat shoes

WHEN:                2 p.m., Wednesday, November 12, 2014
                                 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Portside at East Pier Building 7 features five stories comprised of 176 apartments – including six extended-stay units – in addition to 3,600 square feet of ground floor retail space and 192 parking spaces. The waterfront property is the first of three building to open as part of Roseland’s larger, master-planned, mixed-use development, which will contain a total of 550 luxury apartments and more than 70,000 square feet of ground floor retail space.

Massport Celebrates Opening of Greenway Connector in East Boston

Bicyclists and pedestrians invited to experience airport in new way

(BOSTON- AUGUST 21) – Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) officials and area residents celebrated the completion of a project to transform a congested wooded area adjacent to Logan International Airport and the MBTA’s Blue Line into a glistening mixed-use bicycle/pedestrian pathway.  

Known as the Boston Greenway Connector (Greenway) for its abundance of plants, trees, shrubbery, and green space, bicyclists and pedestrians in East Boston now have access to a safe and inviting pathway from Piers Park along the Wood Island Bay Marsh to a lookout area near Constitution Beach. The City of Boston, which owns the next parcel of the property, has plans to continue the thruway to Constitution Beach. 

“The new Greenway extension is another addition of open space that is helping make East Boston one of the most desirable urban communities in our state to live in and raise a family,” said State Senator Anthony Petruccelli.  “Our community activists, led by Chris Marchi, have done a remarkable job with this project and I am excited to continue to work with them on future project.”

 “The Greenway Connector is another great example of the staunch activism of the East Boston community as well as the strong partnership between the neighborhood and Massport,” said State Representative Carlo Basile.  “While not yet fully complete, this extension is one more step in connecting one end of East Boston to the other via a beautiful park system. I’m happy to know that East Bostonians will be able to enjoy this wonderful asset for many years to come.”

“We worked very closely with Massport to get this Greenway connector built,” said City Councilor Sal LaMattina, “I would like to thank Massport for all of their hard work but also for their cooperation with the City and the residents of East Boston. They listened carefully to the concerns of the community and took the steps necessary to make sure that they were addressed. The Greenway is truly a jewel in the neighborhood and I couldn’t be more proud of how it turned out.”

Massport began discussions about the project with community members and the city in 2009 before Massport’s Board voted to approve the Greenway project in 2011.  Construction for the project, which cost approximately $7 million, began in July 2013 and was completed in July 2014.  

“At Massport we often say that our parks are our pride, and the Greenway project is a prime example of how community engagement can have beneficial and long-lasting results for our neighbors,” said Massport’s CEO Thomas P. Glynn. “I am proud that we were able to successfully accomplish this project with our community partners and provide this beautiful pathway for East Boston residents to use and enjoy.”

The Greenway is a well landscaped, multi-use pedestrian and bicycle path that is approximately 2,750 feet (approximately ½ mile) in length, with a paved path that is 12 feet wide.  The project included the removal of a dilapidated pedestrian structure over the MBTA Blue Line and the demolition of an abandoned brick MWRA combined sewer outflow building at Wood Island Marsh.  Due to the proximity to the MBTA tracks and the MBTA Wood Island station, close coordination between Massport and the MBTA was necessary to ensure that the construction did not disrupt normal operations.  The overall area of the project is approximately 5.22 acres.

You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/bostonlogan and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/bostonlogan and twitter.com/Massport.

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About Massport:
The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $8 billion annually, and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. No state tax dollars are used to fund operations or capital improvements at Massport facilities. For more information please visit www.massport.com.   

Source: Massport: Jennifer Mehigan

Massport closes Piers Park for de-icing

According to Massport's Office of Government and Community Affairs, Piers Park will be closed. "Due to the heavy ice and cold temperatures, Massport has closed Piers Park as a temporary safety precaution. Massport personnel are working to de-ice the walk ways throughout the park. Once our personnel feel that it is safe to ‘walk-around’, the park will reopen. We hope to have the park opened shortly depending on the weather."

Why is Fitch's downgrading Massport's bonds for BosFuel Project?

Don't know much about the bond market. But shouldn't Massport's ratings be better given the revenues it generates?

The rating downgrade reflects the absence of a highly rated reserve surety policy or liquid cash reserves within the project's debt service reserve fund (DSRF). The only asset held in the debt service reserve, with a required funding level of maximum annual debt service, consists of the original reserve surety policy with Financial Guaranty Insurance Company (FGIC, unrated). Fitch believes a fully funded DSRF is essential to the rating level of airport fuel facilities revenue bonds given the narrow revenue stream securing the bondholders, the availability of only sum-sufficient coverage with no additional dedicated bond reserves, and the potential risk for cashflow disruptions caused by delinquencies or bankruptcy from either Bosfuel or member carriers. Bosfuel has recently indicated that it does not believe it is legally obligated to replace the existing reserve surety with a highly rated provider or to cash fund the $6.9 million required level from member carrier payments. At this time, no actions towards a reserve replenishment has taken place. Other available liquidity to the project is derived from member carrier security deposits equal to two months of Bosfuel's total facilities cost. The balance is expected to be slightly under $4 million for fiscal 2010. The security deposits are also used for working capital but do provide just a moderate level of protection for carrier payment deficiencies.

As history demonstrates to many East Boston residents, it's always wise to know how Massport's doing.