NEWRA Stands by its No Hanover Street Restaurant Vote

It was standing room only at last week’s North End/Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA) monthly meeting in the
Nazzaro Community Center.
Newly elected President Ford Cavallari presided over his first NEWRA public meeting. He told members and others in
attendance that NEWRA and NEWNC will be working together on neighborhood concerns and request.
New technology will be added to NEWRA’s website will be more informative to residents according to Ford.
Members voted not to vote again on a request by 204 Hanover Street LLC to change the legal occupancy at 204
Hanover Street from one apartment, one office and one retail store to one office, one restaurant-Pomodoros and one retail
unit.
NEWRA, at the meeting before voting to oppose the proposal, didn’t vote because they claim there was no real changes
to the plan.
A request by VPNE Parking Solutions for a conditional use permit to continue for two years beyond the present parking
extension date for use at 181-183 North Washington Street for seven fee public parking for seven vehicles outdoors,
received NEWRA’s support.
NEWRA also supported a request by 7-Eleven, 464 Hanover Street for a new business signs that will be identical in style
to the newer 7-11 at 340 Hanover Street.
Representative for Tia’s Restaurant were unable to attend and will be rescheduled. Tia’s Waterfront LLC, associated with
the Cronin Group proposes to add a second floor roof deck with dining/bar capacity of 240. Current seating at Tia’s is about 550. The proposal includes two new staircases, an elevator, a retractable roof and a glass railing.
A proposal to establish a temporary dog park in the Gassy was supported by NEWRA. The pilot program will begin on
May 1 and continue through the end of June and be located on the playground’s three level tiers.
The proposal has been suggested by the City of Boston through a grant from the Stanton Foundation asking
Responsible Urbanites For Fido (RUFF) to help design and work on the project. Locked fencing will be placed on the levels
so the area out will be closed after dusk.
If the pilot is successful and the community continues to support it, RUFF will work with the City and the Stanton
Foundation to make the dog park permanent, according to members Leslie Horn and Amy Hand.
William Christopher, Head of the Inspectional Service Department, discussed general issues associated with the new
services provided by the city department.
The next NEWRA monthly meeting will be held on Thursday, December 11 at 7pm in the Nazzaro Community Center.