Janey Announces Creation of PILOT Task Force Council Holds Hearing on PILOT Community Benefits
On June 14, Acting Mayor Kim Janey announced the creation of a 2021 PILOT Task Force “to revisit and modernize the current voluntary Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) payment program for Boston’s charitable institutions,” according to a release from…
Neighbors of Parcel 12 Construction Have Had It
Sleepless nights full of pile-driving and jack-hammering have turned into some frustrating days for residents of the Fenway area dealing with around-the-close construction impacts for the Parcel 12/Boylston Street air rights project – a situation that has boiled down to…
Friday Night Supper Program to Resume In-Person Meals
Friday Night Supper Program can rightfully be called one of Back Bay’s most-consistent unsung heroes, faithfully serving hot, nutritious meals once a week since 1984 to Boston’s homeless and extremely low-income residents from the Arlington Street Church, and after pivoting…
The Gun Crisis
The recent increase in mass shooting incidents across the country comes as no surprise to anyone with an ounce of common-sense. The ease of purchase, and relatively low-cost, of assault-style weapons, particularly AR-15 semi-automatics with large-capacity magazines, makes it possible…
Concert in the Back Bay Fens
Crite Park Restoration Group Readying to Launch Fundraising Campaign
The restoration of Crite Park is about to take another step – this time a financial one. The Friends group last week put new signage in the existing park with QR codes to explain their efforts and show the new…
WS Development, Red Sox Unveil Massive Plans for Fenway
A collaboration of development groups, including the Red Sox, have unveiled major details into the long-awaited plan to redevelop 5.3 acres of land abutting and near Fenway Park, filing a Project Notification Form (PNF) with the City on June 3.…
Two School Committee Members Resign After Racially Charged Texts Come to Light
Two Boston School Committee members, including Chair Alexandra Oliver-Davila, have resigned this week suddenly amidst the unexpected release of text messages that were disparaging to white people – particularly to white parents from West Roxbury. Chair Oliver-Davila resigned on Tuesday,…
Back Bay COVID Update
Last week, Back Bay’s weekly COVID-19 positive test rate was still under 1- percent for a fourth week in a row according to the latest data released by the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC). According to the weekl;y report released…
Arlington Street Church Resumes Tours of Its Tiffany Stained-Glass Windows; Seeks Greeters for Program
With regular tours of its 16 Tiffany opalescent stained-glass windows – the largest Tiffany window collection of its kind in any one church – resuming July 1, Arlington Street Church is now seeking volunteer greeters for the program. Self-guided tours…
Chester Square Neighbors Support Proposal for 603 Mass Ave. To Convert Retail Space into Apartment
The Chester Square Neighbors met virtually on June 2, where members heard a presentation regarding changes to the existing building at 603 Mass Ave. Attorney Lorene Schettino explained that the proposal for the building is to change the ground floor…