Harvard gearing up to build in Barry’s Corner?

We’ve heard this before…

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2012/2/15/harvard-plans-worry-residents/

Guest St Planning Study (Draft) is out [REPOST]

Full text: Guest St Area Planning Study – Draft Plan

After skimming it, in general, I’m happy with it:

- Alludes to the need for a commuter rail connection for the neighborhood

- Discusses the current traffic problems and possible solutions

- Envisions more green space and bike lanes, while still maintaining street parking

- In general, does not propose residential housing too close to the Pike, which study after study has shown is a bad idea

- Envisions offices near the Pike NOT big box retailers (aka Lowes)

Advisory Group Working Session #2 – Thursday, September 15, 2011 – 6:30pm to 8:30pm – Brighton Marine Health Center – Brighton

From the BRA:

Dear Advisory Group members for the Brighton / Guest Street Planning Study:

The Boston Redevelopment Authority, together with its Sasaki consultant team, will be holding the second Advisory Group working session for the Brighton / Guest Street Area Planning Study in order to discuss development scenarios, criteria and economic impacts for the study area, and obtain feedback from the Advisory Group and the community.  The public is welcome to attend all Advisory Group working sessions, and all working sessions will be posted on the BRA’s meeting calendar webpage.

Advisory Group Working Session #2 will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2011 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Brighton Marine Health Center in conference room #1 at 77 Warren Street (between Commonwealth Avenue and Cambridge Street) in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston.  Parking is free and the building is wheelchair accessible.  Our offices are easily accessible by MBTA trains and buses. By subway, take the Green “B” Line train to the Warren Street stop. We are located a half block west of the stop.  You may also take the #57 bus (Kenmore Square/Watertown Limited) to the corner of Cambridge and Warren Streets. We are located a half block east of the bus stop.

The purpose of the Brighton Planning Study is to examine development scenarios and their economic and physical impacts, and ultimately make recommendations for appropriate mix of uses, urban design massing, and public realm improvements, traffic mitigation measures, and economic development opportunities.

Please feel free to call or email us should you have any questions at:

• Mary Knasas, Senior Planner III – 617.918.4489 – mary.knasas.bra@cityofboston.gov; or

• Carlos J. Montañez, Senior Planner II – 617.918.4442 –carlos.montanez.bra@cityofboston.gov

Gratefully,

Carlos

_________________________________________________

Carlos J. Montañez, Senior Planner

-  Neighborhood Planner for Allston-Brighton & East Boston

-  Rutherford Ave/Sullivan Sq Planning

-  Harrison-Albany Corridor Strategic Planning

-  Brighton Guest Street Planning

Boston Redevelopment Authority

One City Hall Square   |  Boston, MA 02201-1007

617.918.4442 |  carlos.montanez.bra@cityofboston.gov

MassHousing OKs $106.2M loan for Charlesview project

from the Boston Herald

MassHousing has closed a $106.2 million loan for the redevelopment of the controversial Charlesview Apartments project in Brighton.

The transaction…will result in 240 new apartments for low-income residents.

…Harvard is committing $72 million to the project…The redevelopment will also include new street patterns, a park, community center, 14,000 square feet of retail space and underground parking for 242 vehicles.

Allston Open Studios opens tomorrow!

24th Annual ALLSTON OPEN STUDIOS

November 13-14, 2010
Noon – 6pm

1 Braintree Street
119 Braintree Street
99 Franklin Street
20/32 Rugg Road

20 Rugg Rd is participating for the first time in 3 years now that the fire damage has been repaired!

Free parking at Rugg Rd and 119 Braintree Street

Open street parking at Franklin St and 1 Braintree

Come support local artists!

Open Studios this weekend

Allston Open Studios is this Saturday and Sunday 12 to 6.

Studios are open at:

1 Braintree Street
119 Braintree Street
99 Franklin Street
20/32 Rugg Road

Come out and see the artwork being produced right here in Allston!

Free Parking at 20/32 Rugg Rd.  (Probably) free parking at 119 Braintree St.  Open street parking at 99 Franklin and 1 Braintree.

Remember to Vote Tomorrow!

Where to Vote? (Google Labs)

What are we voting on? (State Election Division)

Besides the Governor’s Race there are some good questions on the ballot:

1 – Sales Tax on Alcoholic Beverages (Eliminate the double tax on alcohol)

2 – Comprehensive Permits for Low- or Moderate- Income Housing (Return more control to local zoning boards to kill affordable housing projects)

3 – Sales and Use Tax Rates (Reduce sales tax to 3% or Carla Howell strikes again).

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Update: Even better info: WhereDoIVioteMA.com. Enter your address and follow the link for “My State Election Ballot” and get a preview of the ballot.

New Fells plan

While the Fells are a bit of a drive or bike ride from Allston they are the closest large multi-use green space with hiking and mountain biking.  My overall impression of the plan is good, but I have to dive into it more…

The community meeting was last week, but comments are still open.  DCR is running site walks this weekend (notice below)

the Plan

all DCR documents

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Department of Conservation a­nd Recreation

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

SITE WALKS

MIDDLESEX FELLS RESERVATION DRAFT TRAIL PLAN

Saturday, September 25, 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, September 30, 5:30 p.m.  – 7 p.m.

Meet at the Sheepfold parking lot.

Overflow parking will be available on Rt. 28/Fellsway East.

The site walks will provide the opportunity to view and discuss

on-the-ground conditions and Draft Plan recommendations.  The walks will cover the area of the Sheepfold proposed as an off-leash dog area, spider-web trails north of the Sheepfold, and portions of the Skyline or Reservoir Trails.

The Draft Plan can be viewed at www.mass.gov/dcr/news/publicmeetings/greenwaysfellspast.htm.  To comment, email Fellstrail.Comments@state.ma.us, write to Fells Trails Plan, 136 Damon Road, Northampton, MA 01060, or call Paul Jahnige at 413-586-8706 x20.  The public comment period extends through Friday, November 19, 2010.

Paul Jahnige

Director Greenways and Trails Program

Department of Conservation and Recreation

136 Damon Rd

Northampton, MA 01060

413-586-8706 ext. 20

paul.jahnige@state.ma.us

Bike laws being enforced?

A-Bbikes is reporting that the Boston Police are more vigorous enforcing city bike laws…

The Law

WiMax coming to Boston this summer?

Clear Communications is asking for a variance to add more dishes on Comm Ave.  I say yes!

For those not in the know Clear Commincations in one of the advocates and suppliers of WiMax service.  They had made statements that they were expanding into Boston this summer.  This is great news since there is very little WiMax coverage in the Northeast.

Looking at their website their price points are very competitive with RCN, Comcast (X-whatever), Verizon and Sprint once you wade through what you’re really getting.  If they can really deliver 6 Mbps that’s probably all most people need (less than 10 Mbps max from cable modems, but more than ~1 Mbps from Verizon Wireless). 

Imagine a day that all the ugly Comcast wiring on the side of most people’s homes could go away? 

Internet service provider competition = good.