You are currently browsing the The Chinatown Blog weblog archives for February, 2011.
February 10, 2011 by Chinatown Blogger.
Happy Lunar New Year. It’s been a while since this blog was updated but here is a quick run-down of what’s been happening in Chinatown. Some of these topics may be expanded with more detail in future posts.
Chinatown Development:
- Residences at Kensington Place: The project that has been on hold since 2003 is back online. In November and December 2010, the Kensington Investment Company has been going around the community to present changes to the project. Some significant changes include: all rental units now, slight changes in height, a $7mil linkage fund to Hong Lok House to complete their 75-unit affordable housing project (this is in lieu of the on-site affordable units), funds for renovation of the Chinatown Trade Center plaza, and funds to Boston Common and Paramount Theater.
- Hayward Place: After what seemed like an eternity, Millennium Partners is moving forward to develop a 15-story project on the site. Some may recall there is $13mil linkage funds to renovate the Josiah Quincy Upper School.
Josiah Quincy Upper School: Word is that JQUS is in line to receive capital funding from the State’s Department of Education. The City was seeking people to form a 9-member advisory committee with three people from each of these neighborhoods: Chinatown, Bay Village, South End. A similar instance happened in 1968 when the Department of Education coordinated with Chinatown, South End, and Bay Village to develop the Quincy School Complex Plan.
- Parcel 24: Asian Community Development Corporation and New Boston Fund changed architects and made revisions to the project. They have been presenting at community meetings and is filing a Notice of Project Change.
275 Albany Street/Normandy Hotel: Latest word is that the developers are reconsidering a single hotel instead of two hotels on the site (an extended stay and a luxury hotel.)
Chinatown Politics:
- Former Josiah Quincy School principal Suzanne Lee will be running for City Council in the District 2 race this year. District 2 includes Chinatown, South Boston, and South End. Lee will be running against incumbent City Councilor Bill Linehan.
- State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz and State Representative Aaron Michlewitz: So far, these two young and energetic officials are off to a good start. Through their hard work, the State Senator and State Representative helped to pass the bilingual ballots bill in Beacon Hill. This bill was heavily supported by Chinatown. Both replaced former incumbents that were charged with corruption.
Other Happenings:
- Chinatown Park: The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy has developed a park improvement plan to install furniture and plantings. The furniture will include tables, chairs, and umbrellas. Due to state budget cuts, the Conservancy seeking help from local community members to raise the funds needed to install the furniture by the summer. If successful, a ribbon-cutting ceremony may be in order with major donors (hint, hint) recognized somewhere on the park.
- Mary Soo Hoo Park: Planning still on-going for the Mary Soo Hoo Park. Initially, the project manager had given a time line of July for the construction. One of the family associations did not want to lease the adjacent parking lot to the City to enlarge the park.
- Harrison-Albany Corridor Planning Study: The BRA with the advisory committee proposed increasing zoning for land adjacent to the highways and smaller zoning changes in the study area. The HAC study area runs from Herald Street in the north to Mass Avenue to the south.
- Chinatown Library: Friends of the Chinatown Library are organizing themselves as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Until the incorporation papers are filed, an interim Board will guide the process. The law firm of Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge will be assisting the Friends with the incorporation. Getting a 501(c)3 designation will allow the Friends to raise funds for the library. This is happening while the City is seeking to close libraries and the Friends may need to re-evaluate the model for a future Chinatown library.
There are quite a few other things that are happening in Chinatown (such as Chinatown agencies seeking to expand in Quincy) but that will have to come in later posts. Happy New Year and stay warm!
Chinatown Blogger
(Edited: Feb 10, 2011 8:25pm)
Posted in WORD ON THE STREET | Print | 1 Comment »