Rendering by Stack + Co.
The Zoning Board of Appeal, getting a little fed up with nine-unit development proposals that skirt the city minimum for affordable housing, today told a developer who wants to put up a nine-unit building on Albany Street in the South End to try to shrink some of the units so that he can fit in at least one that could be rented or sold as affordable. Read more.
Live Boston reports that a tow-driver hauling a car down Southampton Street early Saturday morning noticed smoke coming out of the car, and flagged down some of the officers on Mass-and-Cass patrol.
Officers jumped into action and attempted to put out the fire which had spread from a candle in a cup holder but were unsuccessful. Eventually firefighters arrived and using a water car extinguished the small flames.
The South End-Roxbury Community Partnership posted this photo tonight of Southampton Street, home to a city shelter and a key congregating point for people at Mass and Cass.Read more.
Mayor Wu said today that 83 people who had been living in tents along Methadone Mile have been placed in new, "low-threshold" housing - with heat, hot water and ready access to counseling and health services. Read more.
Boston Restaurant Talk reports Bar Lyon on Washington Street est fini on Jan. 31.
An East Boston citizen who trawls 311 is fed up with whoever in the South End keeps filing 311 complaints about airplane noise, like multiple times a day: Read more.
Drew Starr reports that Boston Animal Hospital on Southampton Street has notified customers they are closed "until further notice" due to staffers coming down with Covid-19.
Temporary shelters being installed yesterday at Shattuck Hospital. Photo by thebostonlol.
Mayor Wu today announced a plan to get everybody now living in tents in the Mass and Cass area connected with "appropriate services" by Jan. 12, after which the city will "ensure the area remains clear of encampments." Read more.
Volunteers of America reports it's re-opened its Hello House, its residential recovery center in a brownstone on Mass. Ave. near Harrison Avenue. Read more.
Winter better not try to mess with these Public Works guys (photo by city of Boston).
Mayor Wu held her first annual winter-preparedness press conference at the city salt pile and public-works yard on Frontage Road today, where she announced, among other things, the continuation of Boston's traditional space-saving rule: Outside of the South End, once a snow emergency's announced, you can save a street parking space for up to 48 hours after the emergency has been declared over. Read more.
Frank Petangeli reports filming for the Boston Strangler remake is happening in the South End.
A federal judge today ruled against the owner of a large industrial building in the South End who was seeking to have insurance companies cover his legal costs and potential damages in a suit brought by the developer of a Harrison Avenue condo building his property wraps around. Read more.
Live Boston 617 surveys the life of Shawn Kane, arrested recently for soliciting a woman for sex along Methadone Mile.
Boston Police report offices responding to several 911 calls about a guy with a gun at 345 Harrison Ave. arrested a man who was sitting in the lobby of the apartment building there last night, with a loaded gun in his waistband, who allegedly told them he didn't need a license to wander around town with a gun because he was part of "a military police unit." Read more.
WBZ Newsradio reports Mayor Wu has ended the city program to make people leave Methadone Mile by removing their tents, at least until after an ACLU lawsuit over the practice is resolved. A Suffolk Superior Court judge could decide today whether to grant a temporary restraining order to block the removals while the case is pending.
A Pallet shelter.
The state next month will set up a "temporary cottage community" on the grounds of Shattuck Hospital in Franklin Park to house and care for up to 30 people who now live - or try to live - in tents along Methadone Mile, state Health and Human Services Secretary Mary Lou Sudders said today. Read more.
The ACLU and a private law firm have sued the city of Boston over its current program to remove tents and their occupants from Mass and Cass, saying that despite what Acting Mayor Kim Janey claims, many of the displaced people are not being put in housing or treatment programs and their property seized and destroyed, in violation of their rights against cruel and unusual punishment and for due process. Read more.
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