The City Council approved a controversial redistricting plan by a 7-6 vote on Aug. 22, with local councilors differing on the issue. City Councilor Matt O’Malley, who represents the Back of the HIll, voted in favor of the plan, saying…
Author: Peter Shanley
ZBA denies condo project
The proposed nine-unit condominium building at the corner of Parker and Allegany Streets was denied without prejudice by the zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) on Aug. 7. Steenbrugge can now either abandon the project or file again with the ZBA.…
Primary election is Sept. 6
One local official will face a challenger in the Sept. 6 primary election, while another is running unopposed. Democrat state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz (2nd Suffolk District) will face Roy Owens, a regular candidate for elected office, in the primary. The…
Residents respond to Wentworth dorm plan
Wentworth Institute of Technology’s (WIT) plan for a seven-story, 305-bed dorm at 525 Huntington Ave. received mixed reviews during a sparsely attended community meeting July 31 at WIT’s Blount Auditorium. The $42 million, 118,000-square-foot dorm is to be built on…
Local officials split on crime reform bill
Local elected officials are split on “Melissa’s Bill,” a so-called “three strikes” crime reform bill that imposes mandatory sentences on repeat violent offenders. The bill is named after Melissa Gosule, a 27-year-old Jamaica Plain resident who was raped and murdered…
CAMH opposes condo project
The Community Alliance of Mission Hill (CAMH) voted during a July meeting to oppose a nine-unit condominium project at the corner of Parker and Alleghany Streets that requires 13 zoning code variances, according to CAMH President Jessica Casey. The vote…
Art Park site’s future comes into focus
The City has narrowed its vision for the city-owned land between Parker and Terrace streets. During a June 27 meeting, the City presented draft guidelines for a request for proposals (RFP), which included placing 35 to 45 residential units on…
Community centers may lack written deals
It remains unclear what, if any, operating agreement there is between the City and the local organizations that help run community centers. The only known document covering their operation dates to the 1970s. Earlier this year, a committee was formed…
Interim president takes over RCC
Roxbury Community College (RCC) has a new leader, with Dr. Linda Turner being chosen as the college’s interim president, according to a press release. Turner, whose appointment was confirmed by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education last week, takes over…
Local official campaigns for Obama
Local state Rep. Jeffrey Sánchez has been traveling to battleground states in the presidential election. He has been campaigning for Democrat President Barack Obama, talking about Republican opponent Mitt Romney’s record as governor of Massachusetts. “It’s been real interesting,” said…