Spring 2010

IN THIS ISSUE:
A message from Director Evelyn Friedman

It's hard to believe that spring has come and gone — summer has arrived here in Boston! This spring has been full of activities in our neighborhoods — from groundbreakings for new housing, to the historic renovation of the city’s oldest firehouse, to new businesses that are adding important jobs to the local economy — Boston is thriving. This summer, be sure to follow us on Twitter where we’ll be keeping our neighbors informed about all that is happening in the city's neighborhoods.

Real Estate Management and Sales

$2M Rehab of City’s Oldest Firehouse Marks Next Step in Revitalization of Dudley Square

Mayor Thomas Menino and Historic Boston Inc. celebrate the renovation of the Eustis Street Firehouse.

On Saturday, May 15, 2010 Mayor Thomas Menino joined Historic Boston Inc. in breaking ground on the $2 million renovation of the historic Eustis Street Firehouse in Dudley Square. The renovated firehouse will serve as the new Headquarters of Historic Boston Inc. a non-profit organization that works with local partners to restore historically significant buildings in Boston.

This development marks the latest milestone for the City’s Dudley Vision plan, first announced by Mayor Menino in the summer of 2007. The Dudley Vision plan created the Dudley Vision Advisory Task Force, a collaborative group of community leaders, to work with city officials on key real estate and programmatic components to enhance Dudley Square.

Historic Boston Inc. plans to move into the renovated Eustis St. firehouse by winter of 2010, and complete the total renovation by 2012. Read more…

City Joins Victory Programs in Celebrating Fresh Produce at New Blue Hill Ave. Farm Stand

Mayor Menino and Evelyn Friedman celebrate with Victory Programs’ staff and area residents.

On Thursday, June 10, 2010, Mayor Menino joined Victory Programs Inc. in celebrating their first Urban Agriculture Project farm stand that will provide the Dorchester and Mattapan communities with locally grown, healthy and affordable produce this summer.

Proceeds from the stand will help support Victory Programs’ ReVision Home, a shelter for homeless women and their children located in Dorchester’s Franklin Field neighborhood. The farm stand, located on a City-owned parcel at 1062 Blue Hill Avenue in Dorchester, will open for business in July. The farm stand will offer a variety of vegetables, herbs and fruit at affordable prices throughout the growing season, and will be open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Victory will offer a 50% discount to residents using EBT cards to make SNAP purchases, made possible by Boston’s Bounty Bucks, a program that is co-sponsored by the Food Project and the City of Boston’ Emergency Shelter Commission. Read full press release…

Zumix Expands Music Programs to Renovated East Boston Firehouse

Mayor  Menino demonstrates his drumming skills at the ribbon cutting celebration for Zumix’s new headquarters in East Boston.

Formerly Vacant Firehouse
Will Serve As State-of-the-Art Performance Space for Boston Youth

On March 23, 2010 Mayor Menino joined the East Boston Community in celebrating the opening of the new Zumix headquarters at a renovated formerly vacant historic firehouse in East Boston.

Zumix, a local after-school music education organization will expand program enrollment to fill the space in their new 9,000 square foot facility.

Zumix purchased the firehouse from the City of Boston, through the Department of Neighborhood Development in 2005.
Read more…

Office of Business Development

Local Favorite Kelly’s Roast Beef Opens First Boston-Based Store in Allston Village Main Streets

Mayor Menino cuts a celebratory ribbon at the brand-new Kelly’s Roast beef on Commonwealth Avenue in early June.

On June 3, 2010, Mayor Menino and Evelyn Friedman dropped in on the new Kelly’s Roast Beef in the Allston Village Main Streets district, which opened for business in late May at 1227 Commonwealth Avenue. With 5 locations in the Greater Boston Area, Kelly’s made their Boston debut in Allston Village at the former site of local landmark Marty’s Liquors. DND’s Office of Business Development provided Kelly’s with permitting and licensing assistance for their newest 5,000 square-foot store, which is expected to create between 60 and 80 new jobs.

Mayor Lauds Community Leaders For 2009 Contributions to Boston Main Streets

Mayor Menino and Evelyn Friedman pose with Mission Hill Main Streets volunteer Theresa Parks at the 2009 Boston Main Streets Awards Night.

On Wednesday, May 19, 2010, Mayor Menino thanked neighborhood community leaders at the 2009 Annual Awards Night celebration, and called for greater shared accountability and a renewed sense of commitment in describing the future of the Main Streets program, which he first brought to Boston in 1985 as a city councilor.  The 14th annual awards night was hosted by WPLM Easy 99.1’s “Strictly Sinatra” host Ron Della Chiesa, and took place at Wentworth Institute of Technology.  Awards were presented to the 2009 Boston Main Streets Volunteers and Businesses of the Year throughout the 19 neighborhood districts.

“Tonight, we’re honoring a great group of people who help make neighborhoods vibrant and welcoming places to live and do business. All of us have had a part in making Boston Main Streets the success that it is today. Looking ahead, I know we can do more if we work together,” said Mayor Menino. "I’m asking for your commitment to help take Boston Main Streets to the next level. Let’s focus on a new vision that brings about a greater, more sustainable impact on our neighborhoods, our small business community, and our families for the next 25 years.”  Read full press release…

Mayor Menino Welcomes New West Roxbury Businesses

On Saturday, June 5, 2010, Mayor Menino and Evelyn Friedman celebrated two new businesses in West Roxbury - Panera Bread on Spring Street and Elie's Barber Shop on Centre Street. 

Mayor Menino celebrates with West Roxbury Main Streets, Panera Bread executives, and others at the grand opening of the new Panera Bread on Spring Street.

Elie’s Barber Shop owners Becky and Elie Kiami (third and second from right, respectively) celebrate with Mayor Menino and DND Director Evelyn Friedman, as well as West Roxbury Main Streets staff and board members and West Roxbury residents.

Mayor Menino, Senator Kerry Bring $2.6M Investment to Boston’s Small Businesses

Loans Will Help Create Hundreds of New Jobs, Solidify Boston’s Road to Economic Recovery

Mayor Menino and Senator Kerry highlight the many ways in which the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is directly benefitting Boston’s neighborhoods.

On Saturday May 8, 2010, Mayor Menino was joined by Senator John Kerry to announce the City’s total investment of $2.6 million in Boston’s small business community over the next six months, made possible by Boston’s share of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding. Mayor Menino praised the efforts of Senator Kerry to bring ARRA funds to Boston, citing examples of federal stimulus dollars already enabling loans to a host of small local businesses across the city.

The new funding announcement was made at the future site of a “Foodies Market” in South Boston. Foodies Market, a local grocery store, family owned and operated in the South End, is able to expand into South Boston because of an ARRA funded loan. “This new Foodies Market in South Boston is a great example of how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is directly benefitting our neighborhoods. Thanks to this funding, we are investing in the future of this community and many more all over the City of Boston,” said Mayor Menino. “I want to thank Senator Kerry for all that he has done to deliver these resources to our city, and for his continued leadership for small businesses. Boston would not have these funds without his commitment to get the Recovery Act passed last year.” Read more…

Learn more about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Mayor Menino’s Recovery Plan for Boston.

Boston Home Center

Looking for a Foreclosed Home in Boston?

The City of Boston regularly offers foreclosed properties for sale to the public through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. While many of these homes will require significant rehabilitation before you can move in, the Boston Home Center offers financial assistance and critical technical support throughout the rehabilitation process. Learn more about our Foreclosed Homes for Sale program or view current listings on our Affordable Housing Opportunities webpage.

Find out more about Boston’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program Funding and how we are working to stabilize those neighborhoods disproportionately affected by foreclosures.

Check Out www.bostonhomecenter.com!

Recent Website Updates Designed to Increase Accessibility to City’s Housing Programs and Services

The Boston Home Center has recently made change to the way information is displayed on its webpages in an effort to make it easier for users to access the many educational programs and financial services available from the City of Boston. Check it out here and then tell us what you think!

Neighborhood Housing Development

New Housing Underway at Former Mission Hill Mill Buildings

Community Celebrates Renovation of Vacant Mill Buildings into new Affordable Housing

Mayor Thomas Menino and Evelyn Friedman joined the Mission Hill community for a groundbreaking ceremony at the future site of the Oliver Lofts on Terrace Street.

On Saturday March 29, 2010, Mayor Menino celebrated the start of construction at the Oliver Lofts, a new housing development on Mission Hill’s Terrace Street. The Oliver Lofts development will renovate two 19th century mill buildings converting nearly 95,000 square feet of vacant space to 62 units of affordable housing.

An artist's rendering of the future Oliver Lofts in Mission Hill.

In accordance with the City of Boston’s Green Affordable Housing program, the Oliver Lofts will utilize high efficiency heating and cooling system fixtures as well as Energy Star rated appliances, earning the distinction of being LEED-Homes “Silver” certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. Construction is expected to be completed in July of 2011. Read more…