Coronavirus Update: Due to public health concerns, the hearings that normally would be held on a week have been postponed or canceled due to the guidance of Mayor Martin Walsh and the order of Gov. Charlie Baker. Some meetings, however, have been moved to an online or teleconference format under the emergency order on the Open Meeting Law issued by Gov. Baker.
From the July 22 Public Facilities Commission Meeting, online:
•Contract to Gale Associates, Inc.: To provide architectural design and construction administration services associated with the Josiah Quincy Elementary School Envelope project located at 885 Washington Street, Chinatown. Contract Price: $464,998.
•Contract to CSS Architects Inc.: To provide architectural design and construction administration services associated with the Fire Alarm Building Roof and Antenna project located at 59 Fenway, Back Bay. Contract Price: $110,000.
•Contract to Shepley Bulfinch Richardson and Abbott Incorporated: To perform a master plan and programming study associated with the Boston Public Library (BPL) McKim Building Improvements project located at 230 Dartmouth Street, Back Bay. Contract Price: $640,000.
From the July 23 Public Improvement Commission hearing, 10 a.m., Online:
•On a petition by Mark Kenmore LLC for the making of Specific Repairs within the following public ways in Boston Proper, consisting of curb realignment, roadway and sidewalk reconstruction, as well as new and relocated pedestrian ramps and driveway curb cuts: Commonwealth Avenue – at address no. 560-574, generally at Beacon Street/Kenmore Square; Beacon Street – generally at Commonwealth Avenue/Kenmore Square.
•On a joint petition by Scape Boylston LLC, Boylston Kenmore 1260 LLC, and Roofdeck LLC for the acceptance of a Pedestrian Easement adjacent to Boylston Street (public way), Boston Proper, located on its southerly side at address nos. 1252-1270, generally west of Ipswich Street.
•On a joint petition by Scape Boylston LLC, Boylston Kenmore 1260 LLC, and Roofdeck LLC for the making of Specific Repairs within Boylston Street (public way), Boston Proper, located on its southerly side at address nos. 1252-1270, generally west of Ipswich Street, consisting of curb realignment, roadway and sidewalk reconstruction, as well as new and relocated pedestrian ramps, specialty pavement, street lights, street trees, planters, landscaping, street furniture, bike racks, and a protected cycletrack.
•On a petition by the City of Boston Transportation Department for the making of Specific Repairs within Boylston Street (public way), Boston Proper, located on its southerly side at address no. 1340, generally between Jersey Street and Richard B. Ross Way, consisting of curb realignment, roadway and sidewalk reconstruction, as well as new and relocated street lights, bike racks, protected bicycle facilities, and a pedestrian island.
•566 Columbus Avenue, 450 Massachusetts Avenue, West Springfield Street; South End – Pedestrian Easement, Specific Repairs, Projection License, Temporary Earth Retention License – On a set of petitions by CKG Columbus LLC.
•611 Tremont Street; Boston Proper – Grant of Location – On a petition by Crown Castle.
From the July 28 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, 10 a.m., Online:
•28 Exeter St., Back Bay. Applicant: Exeter Towers LLC. The work will consist of an addition to a 9 story building. It will be a renovation and addition of a rooftop of approx.4870sf.,of which 2130sf is exposed. bldg.is non-conforming and addition will require relief from ZBA as to height and FAR.
From the July 28, 10 a.m., (Online) City Council Committee on Ways and Means Hearing: A hearing regarding Boston Police overtime. The Chair of the Committee is Councilor Kenzie Bok, and the sponsors are Councilors Kenzie Bok, Andrea Campbell, and Matt O’Malley.
From the July 28 Boston Landmarks Commission meeting, 4 p.m., Online via Zoom (HTTPS://US02WEB.ZOOM.US/J/88664823684):
•Back Bay Fens – 31 Park Drive: Replace existing concrete street light with metal street light and small cell wireless infrastructure including radio cabinet and antenna.
•Christian Science Church Complex – 210 Massachusetts Avenue: At fountain remove and replace bricks in-kind to accommodate replacement of trough grates, and waterproof trough.
From the July 30, 10 a.m., (Online), The Committee on Education Hearing: Order for a hearing identifying restorative justice practices and the role of the police in our schools. The Chair of the Committee is Councilor Essaibi-George and the sponsors are Councilors Mejia and Janey.
From the July 30 South End Landmarks Commission, 5 p.m., Online via Zoom (HTTPS://US02WEB.ZOOM.US/J/86755512013):
Design Review Hearing
•566 Columbus Avenue. Construct a new building
•566 Columbus Avenue/ 450 Massachusetts Avenue. Proposed Work: Modifications to sidewalk including utilities, light poles, sidewalk material and blue bike stations; installation of bike racks and street trees; removal of bus stop on Massachusetts Avenue.
Boston Fire Department Update on Permits
Due to the harsh economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses, the Boston Fire Department is extending the expiration date on all existing Place of Assembly and Annual Permits from June 30, 2020 to September 30, 2020. Any issued Place of Assembly Permit or Annual Permit stating an expiration date of June 30, 2020 will now automatically be valid in the City of Boston until September 30, 2020. The invoices for renewal will be mailed out in mid-August, and the permitting cycle for both Place of Assembly and Annual Permits will become October 1 to September 30 of the following year from this point forward.
Reporting Workplace Safety Concerns
•Workers in any size organization have options if they feel they are being pressured into an unsafe situation. Attorney General Maura Healey has created resources for workers to report safety concerns during reopening. They include an online form at the Attorney General’s website and a dedicated Fair Labor hotline at 617-727-3465. People can also find those resources by calling 311.
•How to Report a Problem Property
Since taking office in 2014, Mayor Walsh has made fixing quality of life issues a priority in his administration. From investing in Public Works to making sure community policing is a staple in every neighborhood, we are making sure every neighborhood is clean, safe and a great place to live and work in. Unfortunately some properties in Boston need more help than others, and that’s why we are here. If you know of a property that fits one of the following criteria: multiple calls to 911, one that’s blighted or just a general concern, we encourage you to reach out to your neighborhood liaison.