Boston Flora

Tag: Tito Jackson

  • Urgent Advocacy Alert for Winthrop Square Proposal

    Urgent Advocacy Alert for Winthrop Square Proposal

    Now is the time to let the Boston Planning and Development Authority (BPDA) and your elected officials know your opinion about the Winthrop Square development proposal and the threat of shadows on our parks.  Below is a picture of where the new shadow would fall should this immense building be erected.

    The deadline for BPDA public comment period on the Winthrop Square proposal is January 20, 2017 (NEW DATE). Please email the Project Manager, Ms. Casey Hines, at casey.a.hines@boston.gov as well as call your elected officials including the City Council and the Mayor with your comments about shadows and our parks.

    Individual messages are the most impactful, and please include your personal thoughts about these iconic parks.

    We have included some of the important talking points about the Winthrop Square proposal.

    Winthrop Square proposal violates the State’s shadow laws
    Preserve sunlight, prevent shadow creep in our historic parks
    Amending the shadow laws would set precedent for future developers to seek exemptions resulting in more shadows on the two parks.
    There should be a comprehensive, long-term development policy, not one-off decisions or exceptions
    Boston Common and the Public Garden are national treasures and would be damaged by the shadows. Both are on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, and are City and National Landmarks.

    Below is the list of emails (formatted so you can copy and paste) and phone numbers of the elected officials, City Councilors, and the Mayor.

    Mayor Marty Walsh 617-635-4500 mayor@boston.gov

    State elected officials:
    Byron Rushing 617-722-2783 byron.rushing@mahouse.gov
    Joe Boncore 617-722-1634 joseph.boncore@masenate.gov
    Aaron Michlewitz 617-722-2220 aaron.michlewitz@mahouse.gov
    William Brownsberger 617-722-1280 william.brownsberger@masenate.gov
    Jay Livingstone 617-722-2396 jay.livingstone@mahouse.gov

    Boston City Councilors:
    Michelle Wu 617-635-3115 michelle.wu@boston.gov
    Frank Baker 617-635-3455 frank.baker@boston.gov
    Andrea Campbell 617-635-3131 andrea.campbell@boston.gov
    Mark Ciommo 617-635-3113 mark.ciommo@boston.gov
    Annissa Essabi George 617-635-4376 a.e.george@boston.gov
    Michael Flaherty 617-635-4205 michael.f.flaherty@boston.gov
    Tito Jackson 617-635-3510 tito.jackson@boston.gov
    Sal LaMattina 617-635-3200 salvatore.lamattina@cityofboston.gov
    Bill Linehan 617-635-3203 bill.linehan@cityofboston.gov
    Timothy McCarthy 617-635-4210 timothy.mccarthy@boston.gov
    Matt O’Malley 617-635-4220 matthew.omalley@boston.gov
    Ayanna Pressley 617-635-4217 ayanna.pressley@boston.gov
    Josh Zakim 617-635-4225 josh.zakim@boston.gov

    Comments can also be left on the BPDA Winthrop Square page.

    http://www.bostonplans.org/projects/development-projects/115-winthrop-square

  • Thursday, October 22, 6:30 – 8:00 pm – Boston City Council Candidates Debate Parks and Open Space

    Hear the eight finalists for at-large city councilor discuss and debate issues impacting greenspace in Boston. It’s an exciting slate with two open seats and two incumbents who have a strong record of support for parks and the environment. Only the second time that open space has taken the center stage in a city election, October 22nd will help show how large, diverse, and broad the park constituency is in our city. Everyone – regardless of age, race, income level, neighborhood, or background – uses city parks, playgrounds, and outdoor recreation facilities.

    All eight candidates will participate:

    • Felix Arroyo, Jr.
    • Doug Bennett
    • John Connolly
    • Tomas Gonzalez
    • Tito Jackson
    • Andrew Kenneally
    • Steve Murphy
    • Ayanna Pressley

    Four years ago, the first political debate on greenspace issues brought more than 150 people out to hear who would support parks. The candidates said it was the best attended forum that election season. The Boston Globe, the Phoenix, and many local neighborhood papers covered the event. A group of 65 park, youth, arts, sports, health, public safety, and community organizations signed on as sponsors showing the depth and breadth of the parks movement in Boston.

    The event, taking place Thursday, October 22 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm, will be held at the Franklin Park Golf Clubhouse.  For more information, contact the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy at www.rosekennedygreenway.org.

    http://www.universalhub.com/images/2009/12candidates.jpg