Knights proposed housing sails through the system
Plans to build affordable senior housing at the Knights of Columbus Building, 41 North Margin Street, have been approved by the Boston Planning + Development Agency Board of Directors.
The proposal sailed through the community process faster than a speeding bullet receiving basically full neighborhood support.
Twenty-three units, a combination of 12 studio and 11 one-bedroom units will be built.
Plus, the Knights of Columbus will retain a presence in the building with 1,500 square feet of meeting space.
Much unused space will now become useful space.
MassDOT continues to provide Bridge Project information
MassDOT has done an incredible job of informing the general public of the status of the North Washington Street Bridge’s major construction project that poses a transportation problem to the North End and several other communities.
Providing updated and accurate information on the project helps commuters and pedestrians to plan for travel on a daily basis by adjusting to bridge lane closure schedules and anticipated traffic delays.
Thus far, MassDOT has kept its information commitment and there is more to come.
COMPACT LIVING poses smaller units
A Compact Living two-year pilot program has been approved by the Boston Planning + Development Agency (BPDA).
The pilot will create cleaner guidelines for new residential units that are smaller in size than typical units.
On several occasions, both the North End/Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) and the North End/Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA) have made it clear that they would prefer larger family unit developed in the community.
While it’s only a pilot program, potential results could pose a problem for the apparent wishes of the North End residents for bigger family types units.
Temporary Bridge            a good idea
Plans by MassDOT to build a temporary bridge during the construction and repairs on of North Washington Street Bridge will without question lesson the expected heavy traffic that usually takes place during a major roadway project of this magnitude involving the movement of vehicles through neighborhoods.
Providing another traffic lane will apparently help minimize the schedule of work and reduced the project’s timetable by several months. Possibly three months.
Further neighborhood meetings to discuss this issue will be held by MassDOT in the near future.
The project should produce positive results by the community.
Closing the Nazzaro Center for two-years     is a No…. No
Everyone agrees that the North End needs and deserve a new or renovated neighborhood community Center.
The well-used Nazzaro Community Center has simply outgrown itself. There is actually a waiting list of about 100 people that are seeking memberships.
However, one of the suggestions calling for the renovations of the building located on North Bennet Street and build it into the parking lot, the basketball court in the community garden is simply a no… no.
This idea (not confirmed) would close the Nazzaro Center for two-years with no local facility available to relocate the services offered in the well-used facility located in the heart of the neighborhood.
Besides taking away open space, this would affect several abutters and remove access to and from Prince Street and North Bennet Street.
Boston Community Youth Center and Boston public facilities have indicated there are other sites that a Center can be built from the ground up. Sites include the Marabella Pool, Sergeant’s Wharf and Fulton Street parking area.
While no site has been determined, the above mentioned, or new location suggestions have been presented. The Nazzaro renovations and building out to expand it is a no…no.