East Boston groups release community survey on waterfront development and casino proposal

Highlights of the Community Alliance Survey (Released February 25, 2013)

1. From May 2012 through August 2012, residents from across the neighborhood distributed surveys on paper and online in English and Spanish to their neighbors, at neighborhood association meetings, at community events, and via online networks. In the end, 360 surveys from East Boston residents were collected.
2. Overall, the survey found that knowledge about the waterfront projects is highest in Jeffries Point, Eagle Hill, and Orient Heights. Residents who live in Maverick Square or Central Square, as well as Latino residents, are least likely to know about any of the proposals for waterfront redevelopment.
3. Support for waterfront development is high, with most residents expecting positive changes in the neighborhood once those developments are completed. However, residents are also concerned about the potential for gentrification.
4. Over half of residents surveyed are opposed to the proposed casino. Only one-quarter of residents support the casino. Importantly, opposition to the casino is higher among registered voters than the general population. Opposition to the casino is wide across each section of East Boston, with the exception of Central Square.
5. Most of the respondents are US-born residents, are in the working-age range, and include a largely equal representation of different income groups in the neighborhood.
6. The most important difference between the population of East Boston and the residents who completed the survey is that more than half of East Boston's population is Latino but only 30% of survey respondents described themselves as Latino. 
7. The overwhelming majority of respondents are currently registered to vote in East Boston.
8. Almost two-thirds of residents surveyed stated that they knew about at least one of the proposed waterfront development projects. However, knowledge of the waterfront projects varied considerably across the neighborhood. Knowledge of the projects is highest in Jeffries Point, Eagle Hill, and Orient Heights. Fewer than half of the residents living in Maverick Square and Central Square reported knowing about any waterfront development projects compared to 71% of the rest of the neighborhood.
9. The only section of East Boston in which Latino knowledge of the waterfront proposals was similar to non-Hispanic White knowledge was in Jeffries Point. In all other sections of the neighborhood, Latinos are the least likely to know about these projects. Over 70% of Latino residents in Maverick Square and Central Square reported that they did not know about any of the proposed projects.
10. Similarly, low income residents across East Boston are least likely to know about any of the waterfront development projects compared to other income groups. About half of the low income residents did not know about any of the waterfront development projects. With the exception of Jeffries Point, low and middle income residents were much less likely than high income residents to know about any of these projects.
11. Most respondents have positive expectations about what the waterfront redevelopment will bring to East Boston.
12. Many residents were very concerned that the developments will result in displacement of current residents, as well as loss of affordability. Many residents are concerned about how these developments will change the fabric of the community
13. The overwhelming majority of residents surveyed know about the casino project. Over 50% of residents are opposed to building a casino in East Boston. Only one-quarter of residents stated that they support a casino with the rest either having no opinion or not having enough information to form an opinion. Opposition to the casino is highest among registered voters.
14. Support for a casino in East Boston is highest among residents with a high school education or less.
15. Residents who completed the survey expect higher crime, more traffic, more air pollution, more noise, and less parking. Over 40% of residents expect pride in the neighborhood to decline. However, residents do expect that there will be more jobs from the casino.

Full Survey at Eastboston.com. 

Survey Reveals Waterfront and Casino Development Concerns Among East Boston Residents; Presser on Feb. 25

This just in:

(EAST BOSTON, MA February 22, 2013)– A group of concerned East Boston residents came together to form the “Community Alliance.”  This group collaborated with Neighbors United for A Better East Boston (NUBE) and Dr. Neenah Estrella-Luna, a professor at Northeastern University and East Boston resident, to develop and implement a survey in the summer of 2012 to determine what residents know and how they feel about proposed projects in Eastie, such as the various waterfront development efforts and the casino proposed for Suffolk Downs. “There’s a lot of potential change coming to East Boston,” described Alliance member Tina St. Gelais. “We wanted to know what people think about the different projects.”

After collecting 360 surveys from residents, the Community Alliance found that knowledge of the waterfront projects varies considerably across East Boston.  Perhaps most surprising is that some of the residents living closest to the waterfront are the least likely to have any knowledge of the proposed development projects. “I was surprised to see that residents in Orient Heights are more likely to know about waterfront projects than Maverick Square and Central Square residents,” said Dr. Estrella-Luna. Knowledge of the projects is highest in Jeffries Point, Eagle Hill, and Orient Heights.  The survey also revealed a clear ethnic divide: Only 34% of Latinos were aware of any of the waterfront projects, compared to 81% of non-Hispanic White residents.

Though most residents surveyed have positive expectations about what the waterfront development will bring to East Boston, some reported concerns of how the development could change the fabric of community life. As a Jeffries Point resident wrote, “In my opinion, one of the best things about EB is the close knit nature of working-class people (mostly immigrants) who have struggled to build better lives for themselves. Any waterfront development should be designed to encourage integration between newcomers and long-time residents.”

Members of the Community Alliance view the results of the survey as a wake-up-call. “We’re not opposed to development,” said Alliance member Magdalena Ayed. “But huge segments of the population are not informed about the changes on the horizon for East Boston. It’s time to come together as a community.  Residents should be informed and engaged in planning the future of their own neighborhood.”

Unlike the waterfront development projects, the overwhelming majority of those surveyed know about the proposal to develop a casino.  Opposition to the casino is greatest among registered voters, over 50% of whom stated that they did not support the casino proposal.  Support for a casino in East Boston is highest among residents with a high school education or less.

Residents reported that they expect many negative impacts if a casino were built in East Boston, such as higher crime, more traffic, more air pollution, and more noise.  They also expect an increase in addictions of all types as well as additional pressure on police and fire services.  Residents overwhelmingly stated that the general quality of life and sense of community would decline should a casino be built at Suffolk Downs.  One life-long Orient Heights resident wrote, “Nothing good will come to Eastie if [a] casino comes.”

The Community Alliance invites you to join them for a Press Conference on Feb. 25 at 11:45 am in the Maverick Landing Community Room (31 Liverpool Street, East Boston) for more details about the results of the survey

Source: Maverick Association of Residents, Magdalena Ayed

East Boston Main Streets chooses new executive director, Max Gruner

(East Boston, MA) February 13, 2013....The Board of Directors of East Boston Main Streets, a community development and support organization serving East Boston’s businesses and residents since 1995, has announced the selection of Max Gruner as its new Executive Director.  Mr. Gruner will fill the vacancy created by Clark Moulaison’s departure in January to open Carmella’s Market at 86 Cottage St.  The selection was made after an extensive regional search and selection process.

“We are very pleased to announce this appointment,” reported Elizabeth Tanefis, Board President at East Boston Main Streets.  “Max will bring leadership and creativity to the organization and its programs as well as a strong sense of commitment to the future, sustainable development of East Boston.”

Mr. Gruner’s resume includes over 15 years of non-profit management experience.  He has served as a leader in the arena of Health and Human Services, particularly Developmental Disability, Education, Community Development, and Transportation.  Mr. Gruner holds a Master’s Degree as well as numerous certifications in non-profit management.  Prior to this appointment he was a founding partner in a strategic consulting group, was executive director of a state-wide trail organization, and served as a senior manager of a human service organization.  Mr. Gruner has founded several non-profits, has served on numerous boards, as well as having founded a language immersion charter school.

“I look forward to partnering with the people and businesses of East Boston to continue to increase the quality of life of all residents and to create a vibrant and prosperous business district that will benefit all who live, work, and visit East Boston,” remarks Mr. Gruner.  “I am dedicated to this work because it provides us an opportunity to showcase the rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and vibrant business opportunities of a community that is ideally situated to truly becoming the Gateway to Boston.  East Boston Main Streets, in partnership with all our private and public partners, plays a key role in supporting and developing the innumerous opportunities for growth in order to increase the areas quality of life for all.”

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East Boston Main Streets is a public/private partnership initiative of Boston Main Streets, which was established by Mayor Thomas M. Menino. The program has been operating in East Boston since 1995 to create a vibrant business district by initiating private and public improvements, promoting commerce, and supporting efforts to improve the quality of life for all who live, work and do business in East Boston.  East Boston Gateway, Inc. is a Non-Profit Organization Recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code

Source:  Max Gruner  February 15, 2013 617-561-1044 via mgruner@ebmainstreets.com

Fund established to help victims of fire at Sumner and Orleans Street

An email written by Steve Holt (by way of Will Perry):

Eastie Family,

In case you haven't heard by now, Monday night there was a ferocious fire in a multi-family apartment building at the corner of Sumner and Orleans streets. Flames were shooting through the roof, much of the second and third floors were charred, and the rest of the building sustained water damage. Worst of all, 21 of our neighbors are now homeless.

http://www.boston.com/metrodesk/2013/02/05/investigators-search-for-cause-five-alarm-east-boston-fire-that-displaced-people/L3kIs44gVdAgjjwIODBkXJ/story.html

After speaking with the Mayor's interim neighborhood liaison, Danielle, it appears the best way we can serve those who have been affected by the fire is to provide them with gift cards to Target. That way they'll be able to stock up on the necessities, including blankets, food and clothes in their own size.

Our neighbor, have set up a page over at Eastie Now where we can make donations. We have created a PayPal account, where you can either use your own PayPal login or pay by credit card. (Simply up the "quantity" on the payment page to increase the default $5 donation) You may also drop cash donations by the ZUMIX front desk. Billy, JPNA board member Renee Scalfani, and Sgteve Holt will be collecting money donated there and taking it to Target to get the cards, probably sometime next week. The affected families will be able to pick up their gift cards at ZUMIX on their own time. Again, here's the link where you can donate:

http://www.eastienow.com/eastie-neighbors.html

We're hoping to raise $500 per family that was displaced. (21 people were displaced in total) If you are able to donate, please do so by Sunday night so we can know where we stand on Monday. Please forward this to friends / family and post it to your social networks.

There may be more ways to help down the road, but this is the most immediate.

Many thanks!

Rep. Basile tapped to Chair Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs

(BOSTON- February 6, 2013) Speaker Robert DeLeo today announced the elevation of Rep. Carlo Basile to the post of Chairman of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. Rep Basile previously served as the Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Financial Services.

“I am honored and humbled by the faith and confidence that Speaker DeLeo has shown in me with this appointment,” said Basile. “I have always held those who serve our country in the highest regard and I pledge to do all I can to advocate for our veteran community here in the Commonwealth.”

Rep. Basile has long been a champion for veterans and their causes. He has sponsored several pieces of legislation and participated in many events highlighting their service to our Nation and Commonwealth. 

Last month he was awarded Legislator of the Year by the Massachusetts Veterans’ Service Officers Association for his work on the Veteran’s Home Modification Bill, which he originally filed last session and re-filed this session, and for his involvement with the Wounded Vets Bike Run. 

Last year Rep. Basile helped raise $85,000 for two severely wounded vets from New England.
 
Elected in 2007, Rep. Basile is entering his fifth term in office in the House of Representatives. He proudly represents the people of East Boston where he lives with his two boys, Carlo and Christian. 

 photo credit BFD

BFD battles blaze on Sumner Street.

Eastie Neighbors, Zumix EastieNow: Fund established for fire victims

2013 Outlook from Punxsutawney Phil,: Spring is near!

Groundhog Day: Home

And so ye faithful,
there is no shadow to see
An early Spring for you and me.

No Eastie Casino Protest at Faneuil Hall Cancelled

The No Eastie Casino pickets scheduled for tonight's State of the City address has been canceled. Organizers are focusing their efforts on tomorrow's Eagle Hill Civic Association Meeting.

Latest from Friends of Meridian Street: Waiting for a response

The latest from Friends of Meridian Street:

It's time for our elected officials of East Boston, ( U.S. Congressman Michael E. Capuano, Senator Anthony Petruccelli, Councilor Sal LaMattina, Representative Carlo Basile ), officials of Massport and the Massachusetts Dept. of Trasportation (Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Secretary and CEO Richard A. Davey, Massport CEO Thomas Glynn)  to respond publicly about what is being done about the Logan Airport taxis continuing to use the public streets of East Boston.

 The The Martin A. Coughlin Bypass Road at a cost of $23.5 million and the Chelsea Street Bridge at a cost of $125.3 million project of taxpayers money should have solved this. The spending of $148.8 million dollars of the taxpayers money for the Martin Coughlin Bypass Road (Massport CEO Thomas Glynn "The road will provide limited commercial access between Logan Airport and Chelsea Street, near the Chelsea Street Bridge. The new road is expected to improve traffic on residential streets significantly by removing commercial airport traffic from Eastie streets, and improve air quality by reducing vehicle emissions such as volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen.") and the Chelsea Street Bridge,

(“I am very pleased that the Chelsea Street Bridge is now open,” said Representative Carlo Basile. “This new, state-of-the-art bridge serves as a vital connection for the people of East Boston to the surrounding communities and its opening will significantly help ease the traffic burdens for our neighborhood.")

 Let's have a response publicly what you are doing about this ongoing problem!

Source: Paul Howes 1/28

No Eastie Casino wants answers at next week's Eagle Hill Mtg from Host Committee

The following is a letter from Giordana Mecagni

Dear No Eastie Casino Supporters:

There will be Eagle Hill Civic Association meeting next Wednesday, Jan. 30, at 7:00 at East Boston High School.  The Mayor's Host Community Advisory Committee executive director Elizabeth Dello Russo will make a presentation on the proposal to put a casino at Suffolk Downs.

In the last HCAC meeting (October 19, 2012, recapped in this Globe article), Dello Russo and other committee members "told the crowd that the city and the Mayor’s Host Community Advisory Committee are still collecting questions from residents and working to get answers that would be provided at a later meeting yet to be scheduled."

The Mayor's Host Community Advisory Committee, a group designed to welcome a casino into our community, has been holding these meetings for nearly a year — with no community questions answered. Will they ever be answered?  And how will we trust the answers of a group whose main task is to make the casino happen in our community?

No Eastie Casino believes that these questions won't be answered to anyone's satisfaction without an independent community impact analysis.  Even if you are not a resident of Eagle Hill, I encourage you to attend this meeting and re-ask Ms. Dello Russo when the city plans to commission such a study.

Thank you! 

Giordana Mecagni
Trenton Street
Member, No Eastie Casino

PRNewswire: Roseland moves ahead at Pier 1

Headline Story: Mack-Cali Commences Significant Mixed-Use Development Project In East Boston

EDISON, N.J., Jan. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Mack-Cali Realty Corporation (NYSE: CLI) today announced its Roseland subsidiary recently commenced construction on Portside at Pier One, part of the planned mixed-use community on the East Boston waterfront. This 176-unit luxury apartment project is in joint venture with The Prudential Insurance Company and is supported by a construction loan commitment led by Citizens Bank with participation by Salem Five. Portside will include 150 market-rate apartments and a 26-apartment affordable component in a five-story building adjacent to the pier. The Company anticipates project costs of approximately $67 million, with a projected initial stabilized unleveraged return on a pro forma basis of approximately 7.11 percent.  Read more at equities.com.

Time to ticket taxis say Friends of Meridian Street

Here's the latest from Friend of Meridian Street.

It's time for the Logan Airport unoccupied taxis to get cited for using the public streets of East Boston. The Logan taxi drivers that have been told to use the Coughlin Bypass Road or use the Logan Service Road to the new Chelsea Bridge and not use the public roads of East Boston must be cited now. They have had four decades of warning and it is time to take serious action. These Logan taxi drivers that have zero respect for the health of our children/residents ( improve air quality by reducing vehicle emissions such as volatile organic compounds and oxides of nitrogen) and the quality of life issues (traffic safety, horn honking, increased traffic on East Boston Streets) must be sent a serious message. After the work of our East Boston elected officials and Hackney Division of Boston have fallen on deaf ears from the many Logan taxi drivers and owners let's start giving out fines with citations. Maybe then the Logan taxi drivers and companies will get the message.

 

STILL 95% OF MORNING TRAFFIC USING MERIDIAN STREET TO THE BRIDGE ARE UNOCCUPIRD LOGAN TAXIS!!

 

After warnings from Massport officials: “The opening of the Martin A. Coughlin Bypass Road marks a significant milestone in Massport’s commitment to minimize Logan Airport’s impact on our East Boston neighbors,” said Massport CEO Thomas Glynn. “Thousands of airport-related commercial vehicles will no longer use East Boston’s streets. Massport is proud to make Mr. Coughlin’s vision a reality for East Boston.”

    

“The Martin A. Coughlin Bypass Road is a great example of the quality of life improvements that can be made by thinking creatively and collaboratively about abandoned infrastructure,” said Massport Board Chairman and MassDOT Secretary & CEO Richard A. Davey. “The new roadway also complements the new Chelsea Street Bridge by allowing traffic in the area to flow more efficiently.”

 

R.I.P. Rex Trailer, a Great American and TV Pioneer in Boston

Back in the day when Bostonians had less of a hang-up about Texans making it in Massachusetts.  Rex Trailer set the stage for Saturday morning TV.

Rex Trailer mounted and trotting in the 2006 Columbus Day Parade in East Boston (file photo:eastboston.com)

Eastboston.com: Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association to meet Jan 14, 2013

Details at Eastboston.com

Eastboston.com News: 1/9/2013- Mayor Menino declares flu emergency

Eastboston.com News: 1/9/2013- Mayor Menino declares flu emergency

Photo credit: Frank Conte

New Year's Fireworks: The view from East Boston

How to file a complaint against taxis who charge Sumner Tunnel fare to East Boston residents

From a reader: 

I, myself, am almost always charged the Sumner Tunnel toll by taxi drivers, for them to go back through the tunnel to return to Boston, even though it's the law that they aren't supposed to charge East Boston residents. When this happens, I go to: www.cityofboston.gov/police/hackney/taxi.asp and then click on Complaints & Lost Property and compete the form.  And then Hackney gets a money order from the taxi driver and mails me the reimbursement for what I was overcharged.  And, to top it off, even though the drivers charge the Tunnel fare, they don't return to Boston via the Tunnel.  They go down Meridian Street, and through Chelsea and Everett, into Boston via Route 99. 

I've complained to both LaMattina's and Basile's offices about this, and am always told they'll pass along the message and look into it but, as far as I can tell, nothing has been done.  I've asked them to propose legislation to allow Hackney to charge the drivers a penalty when this happens.  As of right now, the only "punishment" is that they have to present a money order to reimburse the passenger what they overcharged.  That's not a consequence, since they're only giving back money that was stolen in the first place.  If there were some sort of punishment (especially monetary), maybe they wouldn't take a chance to overcharge.  As of now, it's worth the chance, because there's no punishment, so why not try..."  

No Sunday Morning Peace on Meridian Street thanks to Taxis

The latest from Friends of Meridian Street

Sleep in late? Get the kids ready for church? Plan a nice quite Sunday morning? NOT ON MERIDIAN STREET, EAST BOSTON!!!! We residents of East Boston that live on and around Meridian Street, East Boston get to hear, see, smell, breath and dodge the steady stream of hundreds of empty Logan taxis that bless our streets again this morning and all day long. But that's O.K. as the multi-million dollar Coughlin Bypass Road that these Logan taxis are supposed to be using gets to rest so us East Boston resident taxpayers can have a nice quiet Sunday morning. Not! We are still waiting for our State, East Boston officials and our friendly, cooperative Massport officials to make this right. Hopefully those of you in East Boston that don't live on Meridian Street can get a peaceful Sunday morning.

Friends of Meridian Street still upset over taxi traffic

Every day, seven days a week, 365 days a year from 4am to 6:30am there are hundreds of taxis that bypass the tolls via Meridian Street to the Meridian Street Bridge. Approximately 90 to 95% of the traffic at this time weekdays are empty Logan Airport taxis driving on Meridian Street to the bridge. It would be impossible to take all the plate numbers down without a video camera. In addition, there are Logan taxis using Meridian Street at all times of the day and night to bypass the tunnel. The Boston Police Department must be well aware of this as they drive right by the station. The elected officials of East Boston, and the Massachusetts Department of Environment and the BPD's Hackney Division have all been notified about this in the past.

Update from the Office of district city councilor Sal LaMattina: "I am waiting to hear from DOT to find out if there are any laws regarding toll avoiding.  Clearly they are charging their passengers $5.50 for the tolls. I am as frustrated too."

Friends of Meridian Street: Latest update on taxi problem

This just in from Friends of Meridian Street. 

Thomas P. Glynn, MassPort, needs to be contacted about this and we cannot access his email. 

 

Again and still 90% of the morning traffic on Meridian Street, East Boston are empty taxi's from Logan Airport driving to Chelsea on Meridian Street. Also 24 hours a day these Logan taxis are using this route without fares. 

 

With our children getting ready for school and waiting for the school bus pick up and families going off to work, the amount of air quality pollutants from these cabs (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly) is affecting all our health. Not to mention the heavy traffic safety factor. 

 

We especially are concerned for our children. 

 

Someone needs to address this problem in East Boston and rectify this serious community problem.