Today, we sent in our comment letter on the proposed zoning amendments from the Squares + Streets initiative. Given the significant impact on our core issue of housing, we collaborated with Rozzidents for More Rozzidents and Abundant Housing Massachusetts on the comment letter. The full letter is reproduced below.
Author: walkup
UPDATED – Upcoming events: Walk-Shop, Dedication of Flora Way, and Town Hall on Property Taxes in Boston
The Boston Public Improvement Commission (PIC) approved the renaming of Bussey Street this week, which bisects the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University between Walter and South streets, as a result of a two-year campaign by local Roslindale and Jamaica Plain activists and organizations. The street will be renamed Flora Way, to elevate the name of Flora, a Black woman enslaved in the local area during the 18th century. Please see this flyer and join for the dedication ceremony on 10/26. Some other upcoming events that may be of interest:
- 10/12 Saturday 9am – 1:30pm
Mike Tormey (BTD Project Manager running the below Walk-Shop) @ the Farmer’s Market in Adams Park
Mike will be at a table for the duration of the Farmer’s Market. Please stop by and say hello! - 10/16 Wednesday 5:30pm
Roslindale Square Transportation Walk-Shop
At this informal walk-shop, meet the Boston Transportation Department Project Manager (Mike Tormey) who will be leading the work in Roslindale Square. Share your ideas, hopes, and visions for the transportation network. We’ll meet at the flagpole in Adams Park and set off at about 5:30pm, walking approximately 0.5 miles to the Birch Street Plaza. We’ll discuss the streets and intersections around the square. - JUST ADDED: Mayor’s Town Hall on Property Taxes in Boston – WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 16, 2024; Time: 7:00PM; Location: William H. Ohrenberger School; 175 W Boundary Rd, West Roxbury, MA 02132 – RSVP Here NOTE: This is posted here solely for the purpose of getting information out regarding this meeting. WalkUP Roslindale has not taken a position with respect to any particular proposal or policy on this issue.
- 10/26 Saturday 2:00pm (rain date 10/27)
Dedication of Flora Way @ Arnold Arboretum between Walter St Gate and the current Bussey St gate
Local residents and organizations, with the support of the Arboretum and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, led a community effort to rename Bussey Street for Flora, a Black woman enslaved in this area in the 18th century.
Open Letter in Support of Squares + Streets
This week, we sent an open letter to the Boston Planning Department (formerly known as BPDA) in support of certain pro-housing and transportation aspects of Squares + Streets. Our full letter is reproduced below and is also available as a PDF.
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REMINDER: Squares + Streets – Public Meeting at Community Center on July 17, 2024 6pm-8pm
REMINDER: We’re a week out from this critical, initial big reveal meeting. We strongly encourage our supporters to attend, take in this first cut from our city’s planners, and then advocate for our core pro-housing, pro-walk, bike, and transit mission. Make sure to register in advance at the bolded link below. Thanks!
The BPDA recently announced the next public meeting on the Squares + Streets planning process. It will be held on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 from 6pm-8pm at the Roslindale Community Center at 6 Cummins Highway, across from Adams Park. Details:
There will be an in-person public meeting to receive feedback on the draft ideas and recommendations for the Roslindale Square Squares + Streets Plan. This ‘ideas reception’, designed to be a drop-in style event, provides an opportunity for the community to share their reactions to a series of recommendations derived from previous community engagements, including small business support, housing production and stabilization, transportation improvements, open space and cultural programming, and the design and land use factors that will inform Squares + Streets zoning in Roslindale Square. Spanish interpretation services will be available, and childcare is available upon request with at least 2 weeks’ notice.
Attendees are encouraged to register in advance.
Grand Opening of Walter Street Path Saturday, 6/22/2024 at 1pm
This coming Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 1pm, the Longfellow Area Neighborhood Association and the Roslindale Wetlands Task Force are hosting Celebrating New Beginnings for 104-108 Walter Street with the grand opening of the new Walter Street Path to the Roslindale Wetlands Urban Wild area and its ecological restoration along with the start of the renovation/construction phase creating four units of affordable home ownership with Habitat for Humanity. We supported this project, which advances equity as well as climate resiliency, and encourage other supporters to attend this opening event. There will be fun, snacks, wetlands walks, info tables, and of course, a ribbon-cutting.
Spread the word!
Public letter regarding child killed by truck driver this Sunday in the Seaport
A 4-year-old girl was struck and killed by a truck driver near the Children’s Museum in the Seaport District on Sunday. While this occurred outside of Roslindale, we felt it was important to speak out on this horrific event. Below is a public letter we sent to our elected officials.
Empty Bowls (Anti-Hunger Fundraising Event) This Sunday, March 24, 3pm-7pm at the Substation
We’d like to take this opportunity to promote the annual “Empty Bowls” event, this Sunday, March 24, from 3pm-7pm at the Roslindale Substation. All proceeds go to local food banks. Come for live music, friends, delicious soup, and take home a handmade bowl. You can also purchase a craft beer from 67 Degrees Brewing. The Boston Latin School Jazz Combo will begin at 3 pm, Bookmatch Ramblers starting at 4pm, and a classical music jam session hosted by Boston Public Quartet starting at 5 pm. Advance tickets and more details are available at this event page. Please spread the word!
Opening for Office of Neighborhood Services Roslindale Liaison
In the wake of Enrique Pepén moving from his position as Head of the Office of Neighborhood Services (ONS) to serve as our District 5 City Councilor, our Roslindale rep Dianna Bronchuk followed to serve as his Chief of Staff, leaving the ONS position vacant for now. We encourage anyone interested in neighborhood improvement to consider applying for the position:
The Neighborhood Liaison reports to a Deputy Director in the Office of Neighborhood Services and is the principal representative of the Mayor in their assigned neighborhood. The Neighborhood Liaison’s primary responsibilities are: (1) performing excellent constituent services, (2) building strong relationships with key neighborhood leaders, (3) detecting and elevating key areas of growing concerns in their assigned neighborhood, (4) conducting community engagement on key Mayoral initiatives, and (5) supporting constituents during periodic emergency responses (i.e. fires, water breaks, etc.).
Application and more details available at the Boston Career Center.
Comment Letter on 18-22 Arboretum Road
Today, we sent a comment letter on a proposed residential development at 18-22 Arboretum Road. We support this badly-needed new housing, but also call on the developer to contribute to certain community benefits. Our full letter is below.
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