News Briefs

NEW GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED FOR SHORT-TERM RENTALS

On Wednesday, May 9, Mayor Martin Walsh announced an amended citywide ordinance establishing guidelines and regulations to better track and regulate short-term rentals.

The ordinance takes a three-tiered approach to classifying short-term rentals:

Limited Share Unit – consists of a private bedroom or shared space in the owner-operator’s primary residence, in which the operator is present during the rental. The fee associated is $25 a year.

Home Share Unit – consists of a whole unit available for a short-term rental at the primary residence of the owner-operator (unit in which operator resides for at least nine months out of a 12-month period). The fee is $200 a year.

Owner-Adjacent Unit – consists of an owner-occupied two or three family building, in which the owner lists a secondary unit as a short-term rental for up to 120 nights per year. In addition, the owner is able to list their primary residence for an unlimited number of nights-per-year. The fee is $200.

The regulations also provide protections for occupants of the short-term rental unit by prohibiting any property with outstanding housing, sanitary, building, fire or zoning-code violations from being lists.

The operator will be required to provide notice to abutters of a short-term rental unit within 30 days of approved registration.

The regulations require the unit to register with the City of Boston each year to verify compliance with the ordinance.

“This ordinance offers reasonable regulations of short-term rentals to close corporate loopholes, protect our housing stock, and stabilize neighborhoods,” said Councilor Michelle Wu. “I’m proud to support this legislation.”

The matter will be brought up at the Boston City Council on May 16.

 

MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN EBNA?

Neighbors in Laconia Lofts on Washington Street in the South End reported this week that there are strong rumors of a Medical Marijuana facility looking to locate in their building in a former law office.

The law office is apparently moving out of the 1180 Washington St. space, according to some neighbors, and a medical marijuana outfit is exploring the idea of locating there.

Neighbors aren’t immediately happy about the idea, some said.

Currently, a contentious proposal is floating around for locating a medical marijuana facility at 633 Tremont St. A City zoning ordinance doesn’t allow another facility within a half-mile radius of that one. While most of the South End is off limits because of that, the East Berkeley (formerly Old Dover) and New York Streets neighborhoods fall outside that radius, with many expecting some sort of proposal there.

For now, the rumors in EBNA circulate.

 

KENMORE SQUARE POST OFFICE RELOCATION

A representative from the Postal Service will attend a public meeting on Wednesday, May 16 to discuss the relocation of retail services provided by the Kenmore Post Office. This “new space project” will consist of procuring a suitable substitute location, preparing the new location for use as a post office and then transitioning the retail services to the new location.

The Kenmore Post Office, which is now located at 11 Deerfield St. a new site is to be determined. The meeting will identify the need, outline the proposal to meet the need for relocation, and invite questions and solicit written input.

The public meeting will take place at Boston University Kenmore Classroom 106, 506 Commonwealth Ave., at 6p.m. Direct questions to [email protected].

 

AGIS CAPITAL MOVES FROM BACK BAY TO SOUTH END

CBRE/New England announced that a long-term lease totaling 5,000 square feet of office space was executed with AgIS Capital—a private equity firm that invests in farmland—at 46 Plympton St. in the South End. AgIS Capital’s relocation from 745 Boylston St. in Back Bay will allow for growth within the company.

CBRE/NE’s Patrick Buckley and Jeff Landers represented the landlord, Legacy Real Estate Ventures, and Cushman & Wakefield’s Rebecca Galeota represented the tenant.

“We are pleased to welcome AgIS Capital to 46 Plympton Street,” stated Legacy Real Estate Ventures’ Michael Price. “The building’s location, proximity to public transit and amenities make it an outstanding opportunity for today’s tenants.”

“A distinctive building with charm and character, 46 Plympton Street has brick & beam construction that is typical of Boston’s South End,” said Buckley. “As lease rates continue to climb in areas like the Seaport District, Back Bay and Financial District, we’re seeing an increase in interest for other locations within the city, particularly from start-up and early stage companies.”

46 Plympton Street, a five-story building encompassing 25,000 square feet of office space, is located near the South End’s Ink Block apartments and the future development of Exchange South End, the former Boston Flower Exchange site. The five-story building offers 13-foot clear height, hardwood floors, an abundance of natural light, bicycle storage and shower facilities. 46 Plympton Street is situated off of Interstates 90 and 93, and is walking distance from the MBTA Silver, Red and Orange lines. The property is located within proximity to numerous restaurants, hotels, fitness centers, retail and coffee shops. Currently, there is only 5,000 sq. ft. still available at 46 Plympton Street.

 

COMM AVE BRIDGE REPLACEMENT

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is hosting two public meetings for the Commonwealth Ave. Bridge replacement project.

The first will be on Monday, May 21, at 6:30p.m. at Morse School, Auditorium, 40 Granite Street, Cambridge, MA. The second will be on Wednesday, May 23 at 6:30p.m. at Boston University College of General Studies, Jacob Sleeper Auditorium, room 109 at 871 Commonwealth Ave.

The same presentation will be given at both meetings. MassDOT and project team will describe the Summer 2018 Construction Shutdown from July 26 through Aug. 11 in more detail.

 

ESSAIBI-GEORGE AT JJ FOLEY’S

Boston City Councilor At-Large Annissa Essaibi-George is inviting everyone to join her on Thursday, May 10, for her Spring Celebration Fundraiser. The event will be at JJ Foley’s for the Red Sox vs. Yankees game from 6-8 p.m. at the South End location at 117 E Berkeley St. Donations are welcomed.

 

PETERS PARK GETS EXTRAS

Friends of Peters Park member Ted Pietras reported at the Eight Streets Neighborhood Association meeting on Tuesday, May 8, that Parks Commissioner Chris Cook has promised to completely rebuild the basketball courts at Peters Park this fall.

Pietras said the overall discussion with Cook started in regards to upcoming park renovations with $350,000 worth of mitigation money the neighborhood has gathered from local developers. Pietras said some Friends members were asking if the large cracks in the courts could get filled in during that process.

Instead, Cook said he would prefer to replace all the courts, which are heavily used, and put up new basketball hoops.

“He said he wanted to completely rebuild the courts in the fall and put in new hoops,” said Pietras. “We just wanted the cracks fixed, but now we have an entirely new court they want to build.”

He said there is also the possibility of one more new playground piece as well.

 

DUCKLING DAY PARADE

The Ducking Day is on Mother’s Day, May 13th, at Boston Common. A beloved tradition for more than 30 years, Duckling Day celebrates the children’s classic book, “Make Way for Ducklings” by Robert McCloskey. The most adorable Boston tradition continues – children parade through the Boston Common and Public Garden dressed like ducklings. Tickets on sale now at friendsofthepublicgarden.org.

 

BOSTON WARD 4 MEETING

The Boston Ward 4 Democratic Committee will be meeting on Tuesday, May 15, at the South End Library at 6p.m. City Councilor and MA-07 Congressional candidate Ayanna Pressley will be speaking, as will Suffolk County candidates State Rep. Evandro Carvalho and Assistant District Attorney Greg Henning. The members of the MA House delegation for the ward – Jay Livingstone, Aaron Michlewitz, Byron Rushing, and Chynah Tyler — will also give a legislative update and take questions.

 

PRESERVATION MONTH EVENTS

Back Bay

  • The Architectural Legacy of Charles bullfinch: Beacon Hill Walking Tour, free event will take place at 1 Bowdoin Square, on May 15 at 6p.m.
  • The Commonwealth Avenue: Boston’s Grand Boulevard will begin at the George Washington Statue, Boston Public Garden on May 17 at 6p.m. Tickets are $15. Visit bostonbyfoot.org for more information.
  • The Back Bay Streetscape: A study in Symmetry, free tour will take place in the Back Bay Architectural Conservation District on May 22 from 5:30-7:30p.m. Email [email protected] for more information.

 

Fenway

  • Lilac Sunday, a free event at the Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway will take place from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Visit arboretum.harvard.edu for more info.
  • The “Hello Muddy!” free tour will meet at REI, Landmark Center, 401 Park Drive on May 19 from 11 a.m. -12 p.m. Visit emerald necklace.org for more info.
  • Historical Site Development of the Christian Science Plaza, free event will take place on May 29 at the Christian Science Church Publishing House, 210 Mass Ave at 4:30p.m.

 

South End

  • M.L.K. & Coretta Scott King Landmarks Walking Tour will take place at the Southwest Corridor Park at 396 Northampton St., on May 10 at 6p.m. Tickets are $25 each and can be bought at tourblacknewengland.com.
  • The Walking Tour of the South End Landmark District: New Construction within a Boston Landmark District, free tour will meet at Delux Cafe, 100 Chandler St., South on May 21 from 6-7:30p.m.
  • Boston’s South End (Postcard History Series) Book Talk, free event, will take place at the South End Historical Society, 532 Mass. Ave., from 6-8p.m.

 

Bay Village

  • Historical Site Development of the Christian Science Plaza, free event will take place on May 29 at the Christian Science Church Publishing House, 210 Mass. Ave. at 4:30 p.m.

 

SOUTH END DATES

  • Hayes Park Mother’s Day Clean-up will take place Sunday, May 13, from 8:30 to 10a.m. Be a good spouse or friend and let mom sleep in, while you bring the kids to the park for a spring clean-up. There will be breakfast treats and kid-sized garden tools on hand. Hayes Park is located at the corner of Warren Ave and West Canton Street.
  • The Beehive’s co-owner and resident curator Jennifer Epstein, alongside guest curator Ellen Miller will present the 27th installment of the continuing art series, Sting! featuring the work of Alex MacLean, pilot and photographer from Lincoln, on Wednesday, May 16, from 6-8 p.m., at 541 Tremont St. No cover charge, cash bar, dinner reservations are recommended.
  • USES Neighborhood Gala will take place May 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the SoWa Power Station for a night of friendship, delicious food and dancing to help support their innovative work. Buy tickets in advance at uses.org/gala.
  • ART SE, the South end Party for Art, Music & Good Times will take place Tuesday, May 22, from 7 – 10 p.m. at 460 Harrison Ave. Boston – SoWa. Tickets are $15 each. To purchase visit gatewaymainstreet.org.
  • The next East Berkeley Neighborhood Association (formally Old Dover) monthly meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m. at Project Place.
  • Bikes not Fights – grab your bikes and helmets for a free spring cleaning and tune-up on Saturday, May 19, from 1-3 p.m. at the O’Day Playground & Park.
  • A fundraiser for Watson Park is being planned for a date to be announced this month. The money raised will be used to fund new plantings, maintenance and other costs. Water for the park is expected to be turned on any week now, with crews starting on the rebuilding of a water line that services the park. An overall vision plan is expected later this year.
  • Fete de la Musique will hit the parks and streets of the South End on June 23 this year, courtesy of the Community Music Center of Boston, Warren Avenue. This year, new parks like Watson Park, Ringgold Park and Union Park will be added to the locations for outdoor musical celebration. The event goes from 3-6 p.m.
  • The Trustees will have its annual plant and flower sale at the Berkeley Gardens on Tremont Street May 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

BACK BAY HAPPENINGS

  • The Friends of the Public Garden are looking for champion volunteer weeders to help maintain the beautiful Boylston Street boarder and the Beacon Street border in the Public Garden. ‘You supply the enthusiasm, we supply the gloves, kneepads, and some brief instructions on weed identification!’ Volunteers meet up on alternative Thursdays, starting April 26, 5 – 7p.m.
  • The Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay (NABB) will be holding its Spring Wine Tasting on Thursday, May 10, from 6-8 p.m. at the Pucker Gallery located at 240 Newbury St. Guests will be sipping from five flights of white wines while contemplating the thought-provoking scenes in “Ner Ot: Candles in the Art of Samuel Bak,” the newest exhibition. To R.S.V.P. visit nabbonline.com.

 

FENWAY TIMES

  • Calling all musicians for Fenway Porchfest! Apply now for the music festival on Saturday June 16, from 12-4 p.m. For more info, visit: fenwayporchfest.org/signup.
  • Enjoy a warm spring evening with friends and family at May’s Community Dinner, on Monday May 14, at 6 p.m. in the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral at 165 Park Drive. Get to know your neighbors over a free, delicious hot meal. All are welcome.
  • Fenway Fair Foods will take place every other Wednesday, May 16 and 3h from 3 -5 p.m. at Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, 165 Park Drive. Fenway Fair Foods distributes up to 12 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables for $2 per bag to everyone, regardless of income level.
  • It’s a spring rhing! Everyone is invited to volunteer with Fenway Victory Gardens at the May Community Participation Day on Saturday, May 19, from 9a.m. to noon. The Fenway Garden Society provides snacks and coffee.

 

JOSIAH QUINCY SCHOOL FUNDRAISER

The Josiah Quincy School will host its 171st anniversary fundraiser on Thursday, May 31, from 5-9 p.m. at Empire Garden Restaurant in Chinatown.
It will be a night to celebrate the school with a traditional, 10-course Chinese banquet, a lion dance performed by the students and live entertainment and auction.

 

RED SOX GAMES

On Thursday, May 10, the Red Sox have their last game against their rival the New York Yankees. They will then travel to Toronto for a three-day series with the Blue Jays.

The Red Sox will return to Fenway Park on Monday, May 14, for a three-day series with the Athletics followed by a four day series with the Orioles.

 

MASSPORT AIRPLANE NOISE COMPLAINT LINE

Residents who are being disturbed by airplane noise are encouraged to call the MassPort Noise Hotline 24 hours a day. The phone number is (617) 561-3333.

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