News

WinnCompanies and the Boston Housing Authority (BHA) announced that work will begin in 2024 on the $2 billion redevelopment of the Mary Ellen McCormack public housing complex under a two-phase master plan to build 3,300 mixed-income apartments on the 30-acre site, including the replacement of all 1,016 public housing units with a guaranteed right to return for current residents. The announcement follows Thursday night’s approval by the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) of the Phase One Development Plan for the South Boston property, which was the first public housing community in New England. The BPDA vote capped two-and-a-half years of design review by the City of Boston and clears the way for final permitting of the massive, historically significant project. It will be the [...]

“If people walk by and ask about the meaning of the flags, and I can explain how important military service is and why flags are at half-staff and other things they may not know then I consider it Mission Accomplished,” said Foley Apartments resident Michael “Mike” Hayes. Every branch of the service is recognized by a flag or banner outside the complex on Columbia Road, and without fanfare, it is a place where service and sacrifice are remembered. In large part, this is due to the efforts of Mike. You may even hear patriotic music on given days, but more likely is a man quietly unfurling a flag or placing one in a garden. “Sometimes people get out of their cars and stand at attention [...]

A South Boston Stand-Out took place and its main purpose was to address a serious community problem. The problem in question is the sale of South Boston’s Sr. Mary Veronica SND Park by the Archdiocese of Boston, which holds the title directly ever since St. Augustine Church closed.  The sale will be to a developer, who then intends to shut down the Park and build housing on it.  This Park is located on West Eighth Street between F and Grimes Streets.  It is open to everyone.  And it is small – at 50 by 100, it’s approximately 5,000 square feet.  Five basswood/linden trees encircled by small garden plots are located in the Park, as well as a couple of trees along the bordering sidewalk.  The Park [...]

For many years, Andrew Station has been deteriorating.  It is a very busy station anyhow, with the Red Line and many bus lines going through it.  In addition, lack of care, clean-up, and preventive maintenance have severely damaged it – the Station is nearing a point of no return.  At certain points and at some times, the Station is a hazard. Yesterday, Lydia Polaski of ASCA (the Andrew Square Civic Association) led a tour she organized to show how critical the condition of Andrew Station has become.  It has gone from unsightly to outright dangerous in certain areas.  Accompanying Lydia were Pattie McCormick and Linda Zablocki from ASCA, police officials from the Transit Police and BPD Station C-6, State Rep. David Biele, Lisa from Councilor [...]

Amendment Would Study Ship Use for Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Recovery Services The Massachusetts Senate has approved legislation to convert a cruise ship into The Floating Hospital for Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Recovery, taking a page from the Commonwealth’s public health history – to create new temporary housing, medical and supportive services for those battling substance use disorder and mental health issues, including those camped out in the Mass and Cass neighborhood of Boston. “For years now, the situation at Mass & Cass and throughout our city and Commonwealth have worsened without suitable state intervention,” said Senator Collins. “Now is the time to pursue new, creative ideas to address a humanitarian crisis affecting thousands of people and families throughout the area. The Floating [...]