CITY COMMUNICATOR Vol. 1, No. 1 A PUBLICATION OF THE BOSTON REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FUNDED BY BOSTON BANKS Winter 2007 AA neneww VISIONVISIONfforor BostonBoston BY MEAGHAN CASEY

In his fourth term as mayor, Thomas M. Menino is undertaking expansive plans to enhance Boston’s skyline and breathe new life into the waterfront district and Dudley Square. With visions of new skyscrapers, the relocation of city offices and the redevelopment of the current City Hall Plaza already taking root, residents will be witnessing a renewal that will position the city for years to come. “Boston is growing, but growth alone is not the goal,” said Menino. “It’s crucial that we strengthen our sense of partnership and our shared sense of purpose – our determination to make the most out of Boston’s great assets and our determination to make Boston the best city in the world.” Last year, Menino called for proposals for a new tower to grace Boston’s skyline – one that would surpass the city’s tallest building, the John Hancock Tower. In the fall, the city unveiled

See VISION Page 9

“Boston is growing, but growth alone is not the goal. It’s crucial that we strengthen our sense of partnership and our shared sense of purpose – our determination to make the most out of Boston’s great assets and our determination to make Boston the best city in the world.” A 1,000-foot tower that would greatly enhance the Boston skyline is illustrated at top. Above left, the new Institute of Mayor Thomas M. Menino Contemporary Art on the waterfront and, above right, the new Hotel Dartmouth in Dudley Square. Pages 9-12.

and programs that bolster the economic “We see this as another investment in Boston, Banking on Boston development of Boston’s neighborhoods. its neighborhoods and its residents,” said Eastern Welcome to the inaugural issue of The Boston “It is important for us to communicate the Bank Chairman and CEO Richard E. Holbrook. City Communicator, produced by the Boston progress that is enhancing the quality of life in “Public-private partnerships fuel the economic Redevelopment Authority and funded by Eastern our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Thomas M. growth that enriches us all,” said East Boston Bank and East Boston Savings Bank. Menino. “We are fortunate to have institutions Savings Bank President and CEO Robert F. Verdonck. The Communicator highlights the initiatives that are committed to our city’s future.” 2 —The Communicator Winter 2007 YOU CAN ALWAYS GO DOWNTOWN Initiative and marketing campaign boost Downtown Crossing

BY CAITLIN BOWLER The BRA has committed $250,000 in “Holi-Daily” festivities, ignited the Downtown resources for the 6-9-month contract. Crossing streets. The celebration included daily Street vendors, music shops, department The UMC team demonstrated a complete musical performances on Summer Street by stores, book stores, camera shops, sports stores, understanding of the area and showcased a talented groups such as the Boston Conservatory cafes and offices: Downtown Crossing, the lively comprehensive approach to the identity and Choir, Golden Tones, the Urban Nutcracker and commercial district on and around Washington branding process, building upon its proven track the Barber Shop Quartet. The Boston Brand Street, has them all. The street, which is home to record in other cities. Pushcart initiative also showcased unique crafts a mix of Boston’s oldest and newest architecture, UMC carefully selected an international team and gifts of local artisans and businesses. The is already one of Boston’s most memorable, but of experts to provide creative, out-of-the-box popular holiday retail window decoration contest under the direction of the Economic thinking to address the challenges and and an appearance by the Red Sox first-baseman Improvement Initiative, launched by Mayor opportunities in Downtown Crossing. Kevin Youkilis attracted residents and visitors. Thomas M. Menino in November 2004, this The team will respect the historical and The 25 days of programming were the result of a important economic engine is on its way to cultural heritage of the area in its planning while collaboration among the BRA, the Mayor’s becoming a more vibrant and unified district. providing tested, state-of-the-art solutions. Office of Special Events and Tourism and the Already some of the streetscape improvements Currently working with the BRA to collect Mayor’s Downtown Crossing Economic suggested under the initiative, including hanging community feedback and study the district, UMC Improvement Initiative. flowers baskets and coordinated banners, have plans to deliver its recommendations to the “Downtown Crossing is bustling on any day been installed. mayor in the spring. of the year, but the holiday season is when it Other improvements such as double acorn “Downtown Crossing is one of Boston’s comes alive with the spirit of the season,” said light fixtures, new benches and trash receptacles beloved shopping districts, but it is in need of Menino. “This year we planned a special month are in the process of being installed. revitalization,” said Menino. “Urban Marketing of seasonal offerings, and it couldn’t have been Additionally, the Public Works Department is Collaborative will bring new energy, ideas and an more appropriate – the heart of our downtown is coordinating sidewalk improvements. exciting new brand to Downtown Crossing. looking and feeling better than ever before.” The latest step came Sept. 7, when the BRA We’re looking for a Downtown Crossing that Another successful programming attraction in Board awarded Urban Marketing Collaborative takes full advantage of its resources and includes the district is the Boston Art Windows (BAW), (UMC) with a contract to create a branding and a real mix of retailers.” which was first implemented in April 2005 identity strategy for Downtown Crossing. Focus is being placed on five high-intensity through cooperation with the Mayor’s Office, the pedestrian areas to make them more welcoming BRA, and the Collision Collective. BAW’s and user-friendly: the Old State House Plaza, the displays of interactive modern artwork in the Irish Famine Memorial and Borders plaza, windows of vacant commercial property have Filene’s Park, the intersections of Washington, given quirky life to empty storefront windows. Summer, and Winter Street, and the Opera House Through cooperation with Project Place, a at Avenue de Lafayette. Public-information non-profit organization located in the South End kiosks are being designed that will be that assists homeless and low-income earners, the coordinated with the Mayor’s Office of Arts, street has been cleaned five days a week for the Tourism & Special Events and these areas will past year and a half. also feature specially designed cart vendor Downtown Crossing is enjoying the benefits awnings. of the initiative and visitors and businesses look Throughout the month of December, a series forward to the additional planned improvements of special holiday programming events, dubbed and integrating them visually into the street.

Downtown Crossing was bustling with activity during the holiday season. PHOTOS: REBA SALDANHA The Communicator Winter 2007 — 3 DORCHESTER DELIGHT

Improvement project returns grandness to

Dorchester Avenue Community workshops focused on neighborhood housing and streetscape.

BY RICH FAHEY shortly afterward, with an eye towards breaking ground The mayor officially kicked off the Dorchester sometime this fall. Avenue Project with a community meeting in March The five-year, $5 million project to improve With the multitude of infrastructure projects and 2005. Community workshops were held to solicit input Dorchester Avenue, one of the city’s most important issues affecting the street, it was clear that the avenue on transportation, neighborhood business, neighborhood and historic thoroughfares, is quickly moving ahead, needed a proactive, concerted plan. In February 2005, housing and streetscape. The mayor appointed a 13- according to Jeremy Rosenberger of the Boston the mayor called together an interagency team member task force to assist in the creation of an action Redevelopment Authority, the interim project manager. comprising all the related city departments that have a plan for improvements along the avenue. The project is focusing on issues regarding hand in Dorchester Avenue’s future. The task force is comprised of representatives from transportation, neighborhood businesses, neighborhood area civic groups, neighborhood businesses, institutions, housing, and streetscapes. Mayor Thomas M. Menino neighborhood residents, and two youth representatives. has made the project a priority, according to A community meeting was held to give the Rosenberger. community an opportunity to meet the task force “The mayor wants immediate action, so we’re hitting members, to update the community on current issues the ground running,” Rosenberger said. and for the task force to discuss its work to that point A consultant was hired last May to help determine (November 2005). The project was originally conceived what the new streetscape should look like, and what to include the entire length of the roadway from kind of infrastructure improvements are needed. Andrew Square to Lower Mills, but has been narrowed “There were questions such as ‘If we plant trees, to include the four miles from the intersection of where should they go?’” said Rosenberger. “We don’t Columbia Road/Route 93 to Lower Mills. The project want trees planted where they’ll interfere with business will include improvements to two important signage.” intersections on Dorchester Avenue, at Freeport Street The planners have also been looking at the issues of and Adams Street. sidewalks, signage, paving, street lights, and public art. As part of the project, guidelines will be drawn up An action plan is expected to be fomented by May or that will be in effect for the entire length of the June of this year, and funds are expected to be allocated Mayor Thomas M. Menino addresses the roadway. Dorchester Avenue task force. 4 —The Communicator Winter 2007 A Message from the Mayor Nothing but Communicating our good news positive Welcome to the A strong city depends on strong city. We are fortunate to have a hub of inaugural edition of The neighborhoods. Our focus is on strong world-class healthcare institutions working Boston City business districts, cleanliness and with us to tackle some of the challenging developments Communicator. Boston beautification and quality of life. Eleven public-health issues facing our city, such as is a vibrant city, ever years ago, we established the Boston Main childhood obesity, asthma, diabetes and changing and growing as Streets program. Since then, 540 new cancer. Boston's firefighters, police, EMS Bustling with growth and we invest in our businesses have opened, creating more than and other emergency services workers are activity, Boston is an important neighborhoods, schools, 3,600 new jobs. Storefront improvements on the front lines everyday, helping to make global capital. Our competitive businesses, parks and and neighborhood beautification projects our neighborhoods and streets more secure. assets are varied and plentiful— cultural attractions. I Mayor Thomas are on the rise. The annual city-wide Our city’s past, present and future are beginning with the diversity of the know this city. I love this M. Menino cleanup, Boston Shines, draws more than very much alive in each and all of you. I city’s economy and encompassing city, and I am committed 5,000 volunteers to pick up litter, sweep and thank you for your support and your everything from the variety of our to making our city work for all Bostonians plant flowers, making our city a cleaner and continued role in making Boston a city to neighborhoods and an extensive — residents, employees, families, tourists, more attractive place to live, work and visit. be proud of. public transit system to our cultural Mark Maloney students and elders. A strong city is also a healthy and safe and academic institutions, accessible shopping districts, and a young, highly educated population that brings topnotch skills to Boston’s businesses and industry. Where the proposed With a population of 600,000 that doubles every project will start day as workers enter the city from throughout the Boston region, and some $12 billion in projects in Boston’s development pipeline, this is a vibrant city that is growing and will likely continue to grow for the next 20 years. is at a The Boston City Communicator will offer Boston’s citizens an intimate glimpse into the work being done for the city and its residents on their behalf. We are grateful for the support of Eastern Bank and East Crossroads Boston Savings Bank in producing this publication. While we’re all invested in Boston’s success, there are hundreds of people working quietly through channels of city government, or in organizations City Initiative to connect both Hall supports, to improve the lives of Boston residents as the city continues to grow. Some keep the sides of the Greenway streets swept and restaurants clean. Others run literacy BY RICH FAHEY programs, organize cycling clubs and work to Government Center and Beacon Hill as new development emerges promote small businesses. And many more work Boston’s Crossroads Initiative is designed to work hand-in-hand along either side on former Central Artery land. tirelessly to improve neighborhoods and build new with the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway to connect people and Hanover and Salem streets, two principal streets of the North End, ones. destinations on both sides of the Greenway. would become even stronger links as Crossroads stretches across the As my tenure as director of the Boston The 12 streets in question link the city to the Greenway and the Greenway between Government Center and the waterfront. Redevelopment Authority ends, I would like to Greenway to Boston Harbor. They also connect neighborhoods State Street will become a Crossroads for celebrating Boston’s recognize all those public servants, especially those formerly isolated by the Central Artery — districts such as the West connection to its harbor and the street’s role in the city over the with whom I have worked at the BRA. I have been End, Bulfinch Triangle and the North End, as well as South Boston, centuries. State Street is the most frequently traveled street honored to serve Mayor Menino and all the citizens Fort Point Channel, the Leather District and Chinatown. downtown, where the paths of workers, residents and tourists cross of Boston, and I am proud of what we accomplished. The network and vistas these improved streets and the Greenway day and night, year-round. form will create new ways of navigating and understanding the city. The Crossroads Initiative improves the main streets of Mark Maloney is director of the The first road to be redesigned as part of the project is Broad neighborhoods old (Chinatown), revitalized (Leather District) and Boston Redevelopment Authority. Street, slated to become an active contemporary place at the center new (the future South Bay mixed-use development). Renovated of the historic financial district, strengthening the connection Kneeland, Beach and Essex streets help Chinatown, the Theatre between State Street and harborside destinations. District, and the Leather District become a lively network of COMMUNICATOR The design is about 25 percent complete, according to Peter Gori connections and activity, forming an exciting cultural gateway to CITY of the Boston Redevelopment Authority, project manager for the downtown Boston. Published by: Crossroads Initiative. Congress Street will become an inviting, pedestrian-friendly path Boston Redevelopment Authority “We’ve just hired design firms for the second phase of the linking South Boston and the Financial District while improving Thomas M. Menino, Mayor project,” said Gori. The second phase will include Causeway, connections between important city destinations. Mark Maloney, Director Summer and Congress streets and the South Boston Waterfront area. The Summer Street Crossroads will make the trip from Boston Clarence J. Jones, Chairman Design work on the second phase is expected to begin in January. Common and Downtown Crossing to the Boston Convention and Consuelo G. Thornell, Treasurer The other streets involved in the project are New Chardon Street, Exhibition Center (BCEC) friendly and inviting for people arriving Paul Foster, Vice Chairman Salem and Hanover streets in the North End, State Street, Oliver by transit, on foot or by bicycle. Christopher Supple, Member Harry Collings, Secretary Street, Essex Street, Beach and Kneeland streets. The historic Old Northern Avenue Bridge/Oliver Street will carry Under the plan, Causeway Street would be transformed into a an emergent Crossroads from the Moakley Courthouse and the One City Hall Square pedestrian-oriented boulevard, becoming the anchor for this business developing South Boston waterfront across the Fort Point Channel, Boston, MA 02201-1007 and entertainment district linking two of Boston’s great past the New Center for Arts and Culture and into the heart of the Tel: 617-722-4300 neighborhoods – the West End and North End. Financial District. Produced by: New Chardon/North Washington Street is slated to become a Implementation of the project, which began in 2005, is expected GRANT COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTING GROUP Boston ◆ New York vibrant connector between Charlestown, the Bulfinch Triangle, to take between seven and 10 years. 617-375-0214 [email protected] The Communicator Winter 2007 — 5 FFUULLLL HHOOUUSSEE East Boston development gets new name, new image BY PARKER ASHWORTH ensure that affordable housing, both for renters and homeowners, will remain a part of the East The transformation of the Maverick Gardens Boston waterfront for years to come.” housing development in East Boston over the One of the Boston Housing Authority’s (BHA) past three years is remarkable. oldest developments, Maverick Gardens was Renamed Maverick Landing, a mix of smart built in 1941 and, though well known for its brick and colorfully clapboard townhouses, a vibrant, tight-knit community, by the late 1990s community center, and a mid-rise building that its facilities were distressed. HOPE VI funding boasts innovative technology and spectacular was critical to the redevelopment effort. views of Boston harbor, have replaced the sea of “Maverick Landing is yet another example of three-story brick buildings that dominated the the transformative power the HOPE VI program waterside site for more than 60 years. has had on neighborhoods in Boston,” said The historic streets that were eliminated in Sandra Henriquez, BHA administrator. “The 1941 to create the 9-acre superblock that isolated new design of the development opens it up to the Maverick Gardens from the surrounding area surrounding neighborhood and integrates have been reinstated, parsing the site into five residents into the community.” city blocks that integrate seamlessly into the Now, the development is attractive and livable, larger neighborhood. Now, through streets and reflecting the city’s increasing commitment to pedestrian pathways, the development and its making publicly-funded projects more neighbors to the northeast are once again environmentally sensitive. The array of photo- connected to each other, the waterfront and voltaic panels atop the roof of the mid-rise is the Lopresti Park. most visible element of sustainable technology. According to Lydia Agro of the Boston Other elements include a highly efficient gas Redevelopment Authority, the project was absorption chiller-boiler and high-performance completed “on time and on budget.” The building envelope in the mid-rise, Energy Star- development includes 396 units, 305 at market rated lights and appliances, partly-recycled rate and the rest affordable housing. The units materials, such as concrete, steel, and carpeting. stand as testament to the possibilities created Designers also ensured improved indoor air through innovative partnering between city and quality through the use of carpeting, floor state agencies, non-profit organizations, private finishes, and paints low in volatile organic partners, and the U.S. Department of Housing compounds, using materials in wet areas that and Urban Development, whose $35 million minimize mold growth, and ventilating each unit HOPE IV grant helped fund the project. beyond code requirements. These measures will “Maverick Landing is an important part of the help to improve the health of residents, many of revitalization of East Boston,” said Mayor whom suffer from asthma. Thomas M. Menino. “This development will The new Maverick Gardens housing development in East Boston features a stunning view of the Boston skyline. PHOTO: LUCY CHEN PHOTOGRAPHY, COURTESY OF ICON ARCHITECTURE Homeland security office aims to keep city safe

BY CAITLIN BOWLER state assets that are located in the Metro objective is to maintain data and voice citizen’s role in prevention, protecting Mayor Thomas M. Menino established Boston area, MOHSEM works closely with interoperability amongst different agencies one’s community, and preparing one’s the Mayor’s Office of Homeland Security state partners including the MBTA, by developing a set of equipment standards family and neighborhood for a disaster. & Emergency Management (MOHSEM) in Massport, Massachusetts Emergency that ensures first responders from different Through completion of the P3 Program, the spring of 2004 to enhance the region’s Management Agency, Executive Office of departments are using compatible participants in the region will know how to capacity to prevent, prepare for, respond to, Public Safety, Massachusetts State Police, equipment. The standards also apply to recognize and properly report suspicious and recover from chemical, biological, Massachusetts Department of Public Health future investments, so that future behavior to law enforcement officials. The radiological, nuclear, and explosive attacks. and other state partners to ensure equipment meets regional interoperability program also serves to educate call takers The MOHSEM will coordinate strategic coordination with local/state homeland requirements. to whom residents report suspicious priorities across first-responder agencies security initiatives. The MBHSR’s Community Outreach and behaviors. Training curriculum also and throughout the nine communities that During the course of the past two years, Awareness Programming is designed to provides residents with information on comprise the Metro Boston Homeland MOHSEM and its partners have educate the public on terrorism prevention developing family emergency disaster and Security Region (MBHSR): Boston, undertaken a number of major projects that and preparedness. Sara Philips, assistant communication plans, and important Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, address homeland security and emergency director of the Homeland Security knowledge regarding what steps to take in Quincy, Revere, Somerville and Winthrop. preparedness. Division, said the P3 Program: Prevent, the event of a natural or man-made Given the close geographic proximity to The Communications Interoperability Protect, Prepare, provides three unique yet disaster. each community within the region and the Project is a major initiative whose related curriculums that address the 6 —The Communicator Winter 2007 Universities Step UP for Boston schools

BY MEAGHAN CASEY forward to drawing on our expertise and experience to meet In a unique collaboration between Boston’s universities specific needs identified by the schools themselves,” said and its public schools, Step UP (University Partnership) is We look forward to drawing Robert A. Brown, president of Boston University, speaking offering students a $10-million boost and the stepping stones on our expertise and experience to on behalf of all the university partners. for success. “ meet specific needs identified The following schools were chosen to take part in this Through the new partnership, five of Boston’s largest by the schools. initiative: Agassiz Elementary, Mary Curley Middle and universities have committed $10 million in funds and English High in Jamaica Plain; Chittick Elementary and services to 10 of the city’s low-performing public schools. Robert A. Brown Lewenberg Middle in Mattapan; Marshall, Russell, Trotter The universities — Boston College, Boston University, Boston University president ” and Winthrop elementary schools in Dorchester; and Elihu Harvard University, Northeastern University and Tufts Greenwood Elementary in Hyde Park. University — will provide teacher training, lend curriculum Boston Public Schools is hiring a full-time program and instructional support and assist in school readiness, schools. I want Boston students to have the best education director to coordinate the planning and programming family engagement and student support. The universities will possible and these universities are offering significant between the colleges and the schools. also help with student-wellness issues, such as nutrition, resources and expertise to help our children reach their full “We’re delighted,” said Superintendent Michael G. dental and general health screenings and a food-service potential.” Contompasis. “We have a valuable resource in the colleges program. A five-year plan, Step UP is a result of several meetings and universities here in Boston, and with their help, our “Our local colleges and universities have been strong between Menino and the university presidents. The goal is schools will succeed in closing the achievement gap and partners with the Boston Public Schools for many years,” to help the selected schools improve their MCAS scores and ensuring every child performs at the highest level.” said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “This initiative will take increase the number of students going to college. In addition to the five universities participating in Step-UP, that partnership one step further by directing key resources “Our universities are dedicated to improving the quality of other colleges and universities have assisted and will of some of Boston’s top universities to support select education for all members of the community, and we look continue to assist Boston Public School students. Y/BPSY/BPS educateseducates familiesfamilies aboutabout schoolsschools

BY MEAGHAN CASEY able to share their own positive experiences tradition while also looking forward to new In addition to connecting with families, with other parents and offer candid and innovations. She also praises the district for Y/BPS also provides outreach grants and staff The City of Boston is home to 145 public personal information about individual schools. exposing her children to diverse faces, assistance to schools that apply for aid in schools, serving nearly 60,000 students. Each “It’s your child, your flesh and blood, and languages, curriculum, learning styles and reaching parents who have not yet registered January, families must wade through the you don’t really know what it’s going to be extracurricular activities. for the BPS. Those schools, such as the options of exam schools, pilot schools, small like until they’re there,” said parent Hoong “The more things you’re exposed to, the Nathan Hale Elementary School, have seen a learning communities, K-8 schools and Wei Speicher, who has sent her three sons broader your horizon is,” said Speicher. “The marked increased in popularity. A very small alternative programs, among others, to through the BPS. “When my son started BPS gave my kids the opportunity to try and not previously well-known school, the determine the best fit for their children. school and we were actually experiencing it, it things as far-ranging from cello to football. Nathan Hale used its grant money to invite To help families become better consumers was a relief. It was a validation that when I Those two things you don’t usually put community members and prospective parents of the city’s numerous school choices, Y/BPS visited these schools and found positive things, together in one child, but it was actively to school events such as math nights, principal is taking out some of the guess work. A joint my instincts were right on target.” encouraged and he has the best of both coffee hours and literacy family nights. collaboration between the YMCA of Greater Speicher credits the BPS for embracing worlds.” Boston and the Boston Public Schools, Y/BPS is designed to help families answer the question: “Why should I consider the Boston Public Schools for my child’s education?” “When I was choosing schools years ago, all of my friends said, ‘You need to go to a pilot school because they’re new and different. You need to go to a charter school because they’re new and different,’” said Laurie Sherman, policy advisor for Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “I wanted to find a traditional, old Boston public school with great learning going on. That was my quest, and I found that school (Manning Elementary) and it has been amazing. I am so inspired by the strength of the curriculum and the talent of the staff in this district.” Supported with funding from the Boston Foundation, Y/BPS has placed three BPS parents at YMCA branches to offer workshops to parents in Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury and Roslindale. Since its founding in 2003, the program has united staff members with thousands of families, helping them to navigate the school choice process and plan their children’s education process. Parents are Michael Ejim and his classmates are glad they chose the Hurley School. The Communicator Winter 2007 — 7 ReadBoston drives for literacy

Mayor Thomas M. Menino distributes free books along with ReadBoston Executive Director Theresa Lynn. Celtics urge Boston kids to score with reading BY MEAGHAN CASEY in 1995, ReadBoston strives to have every programs, ReadBoston has hosted a number Shaughnessy. Other local celebrity authors Stepping off the court to take on the role child reading at grade level by the end of of events throughout the city, uniting local have included novelist Dennis Lehane, of storytellers, Boston Celtics forwards third grade, through family involvement in celebrities and community members in fashion designer Joseph Abboud and Ryan Gomes and Leon Powe took two reading and quality literacy instruction. celebration of reading. The Celebrity business executive Jack Welch, each of dozen Charlestown students on the ride of a Since its inception, more than 600,000 Author Series kicked off in 2003 with chef whom has highlighted his works and shared lifetime. books have been donated to children, Todd English and sports columnist Dan why literacy is so important. In November, the players took a historic families and educators. trolley tour with students from the “As we continue to strive to make sure Harvard/Kent Elementary School as part of every child in Boston has the opportunity the Celtics Read to Achieve program. While for a good education, literacy is the visiting Boston’s most historic sites, the foundation of it all,” said Menino. “We’ve players discussed their favorite books and accomplished a lot in the past decade. the importance of reading in their lives. ReadBoston’s goal is to make sure every “Encouraging children to embrace the child reaches grade level by the third grade, love of reading is very important,” said and we’re making those gains every year in Gomes. “It’s a skill they’ll use for the rest our schools.” of their lives. Reading helps us expand our In addition to the Read to Achieve horizons, and enables us to learn about and program, ReadBoston runs a family literacy experience many different things.” program in 62 of the city’s public schools Working in partnership with ReadBoston and has after-school programs at 22 sites, – a nonprofit children’s literacy program – including schools, community centers, the Read to Achieve program is designed to churches and YMCAs. A highlight of the help young people develop a lifelong love organization is its summer Storymobile, for reading and encourage adults to read which visits 75 sites throughout the city, regularly with children. Over the past four equipped with a professional storyteller, years, players, coaches, media and members books and literacy activities. Last summer, of the All-Star Reading Team have reached more than 25,000 children came out for the out to more than 14,000 children at 45 local Storymobile events, receiving new, free schools, while donating 13,000 books. books and celebrating the joy of reading. Launched by Mayor Thomas M. Menino To highlight and raise funding for its Boston Celtics forward Ryan Gomes reads to students from Harvard/Kent Elementary School in Charlestown. 8 —The Communicator Winter 2007 Taking a shine to Boston Residents hit the streets to help keep their neighborhoods clean

BY KAITLIN RAHL Thomas May announced that a former substation site would be Residents young and old from all turned into useable open space for the over Boston have taken to the streets Dorchester neighborhood. to help beautify their neighborhoods. “NSTAR has a long history of Their hard work and dedication made community service,” May said. the annual Boston Shines citywide “Every year, our employees volunteer cleanup a major success. their time to help Boston Shines, but “Boston Shines is a great example this year we wanted to do more.” of a public/private partnership that In the weeks leading up to Boston helps to make the city look its best. Shines, area residents in the This event has become an annual Bowdoin/Geneva section of tradition that keeps getting bigger and Dorchester worked with the mayor’s better every year,” said Mayor office and NSTAR to enhance access Thomas M. Menino. “The more to and organize a major clean-up of involvement we have from the the NSTAR site and the adjacent business community and our public- Geneva Cliffs Urban Wild. One of sector partners, the more we can the largest natural areas in Northern really make Boston shine.” Dorchester, the Urban Wild is a 1.8- On Corporate Clean-Up Day, a acre plot owned by the city’s number of companies dedicated the Conservation Commission. day to clean-up efforts in their Menino presented the Dorchester communities. Thousands of Bay Economic Development Corp. volunteers from Brighton to with a $25,000 grant to fund the Charleston to Hyde Park raked community-planning process for the leaves, planted flowers, spread future care and use of the combined mulch, swept sidewalks, and picked sites. up trash in city parks, playgrounds, “I’m pleased to be able to give this and squares. money to the community so they can Boston Shines crews also cleaned decide for themselves how best to use hundreds of sites, removed tons of this site,” Menino said. “This is a trash, towed abandoned cars, spread perfect example of how businesses mulch, planted flowers, and cleaned and community groups can work vacant lots. cooperatively to better the condition In April 2006, Menino and NSTAR of our neighborhoods.” Chairman, President and CEO Mayor Thomas M. Menino observes a demonstration of a Green Machine on Beacon Hill. Got a question? Constituent Services has the answer 24/7

BY PARKER ASHWORTH information on procedures for addressing include calls made for general information technology systems so that the staff in the Ever wonder whom to contact about the constituents’ service requests and each or for specific people, according to department can more quickly and pothole down the street, or the flickering department’s personnel. The staff knows Coppola. Most logged calls come in over effectively respond to requests and be able streetlight? Or, have a question about the system from the inside out, which the telephone, but requests made through to notify constituents of completion of rubbish collection? allows them to quickly coordinate each e-mail, the Web-based complaint form, those requests as soon as possible,” The Mayor’s Office of Constituent request with the most appropriate person U.S. mail, and even walk-ins are also Coppola said. Services (OCS) is a special department in the appropriate department. recorded. Staff members are in the process of structured as a call-in center, with staff at Janine Coppola, OCS director, said the Staff members are constantly working to reviewing several companies that develop the 24-hour hotline (617-635-4500) department is viewed as a “valuable improve the continuity and accuracy of customer relations management programs available to help constituents navigate and information resource both inter- communication channels between that could handle more data more coordinate with city departments to obtain departmentally as well as by residents and themselves and city departments, so that efficiently, allowing OCS to provide answers to those kinds of questions. visitors to Boston alike. It is designed to requests are addressed and residents can constituents with better and quicker The staff of 15 has previous experience be a one-stop shopping source for city be kept abreast of the progress. service. in a number of departments, including services within the neighborhoods.” “The mayor is committed to Coppola has been the director of OCS Inspectional Services, Transportation, In its first year of existence, the 24-hour strengthening the successful Constituent since 2004. Prior to that she worked for Environmental, City Council, community hotline logged an average of more than Services department by advocating for seven years in the Mayor’s Office of centers, and possess a wealth of 110 calls per day, a figure that does not more widespread and sophisticated Neighborhood Services. The Communicator Winter 2007 — 9 NEW VISION FOR BOSTON SQUARE DEAL

Mayor Thomas M. Menino cut the ribbon on the new Hotel Dartmouth in Dudley Square, shown at right. In Roxbury, Dudley revival in full swing PHOTO: LUCY CHEN PHOTOGRAPHY, COURTESY OF ICON ARCHITECTURE

BY CAITLIN BOWLER the Boston Redevelopment Authority requires demolition. The ownership of the seven parcels was announced the acquisition of Dudley Square’s The BRA worked to acquire the 33,000- discovered in the mid-1980s when the city In the past two years Dudley Square has historic Ferdinand Building. square-foot site, which consists of the vacant, began revising the neighborhood’s zoning, experienced the beginning of what the city “Today we are one step closer to the goal of five-story Ferdinand Building, a vacant eight- which was outdated by more than 40 years. hopes will be a sustained period of renewal for re-energizing Dudley Square and restoring the story building known as the Guscott Building, This roused the interest of the community and one of Roxbury’s historic commercial hubs. historic Ferdinand Building,” said Menino. “It and a vacant lot at the corner of Washington discussions about how the parcels should be The Central Boston Elderly Services’ new has always been the community’s vision to see and Warren streets. developed made it clear that the neighborhood 25,000 square-foot headquarters across from a vibrant Dudley Square, bustling with activity. The community has desired this kind of needed a master plan. Dudley Station opened in June of 2005. The construction of this new office building in revitalization for years. But it was not until As it pertains to Dudley Square, the plan In the fall of 2005, renovations to the historic the heart of the square will help make that 2004, when the Mayor’s Office released its seeks ways to infuse life and vitality back into Second Empire Dartmouth Hotel were vision a reality, spurring new economic Strategic Master Plan for the neighborhood and the area. Planners have since thought about the completed, along with a new addition, that opportunities for Roxbury.” announced that it would develop seven large, Dudley Street Municipal Plaza and how it could created 66 units of mixed-income housing. The BRA will now issue a Request for publicly-owned parcels of land in Roxbury, that be made safer through street reconstruction. Last April, the completion of the Palmer Proposals (RFP) for an engineering consultant momentum picked up. They have considered Dudley’s gateways to Street Development, a three-story office and team to assist the BRA with demolition and BRA Senior Planner Hugues Monestime determine how effective they are at drawing retail building, was celebrated as the first new clean-up of the site as well as an architectural said, “The unveiling of the RFP really opened business to the square and how it would be private commercial construction project in and design team for the construction of the new the door to development.” possible to draw Bartlett Yard into the Dudley Dudley Square in 40 years. office building. The announcement that the city would Square commercial district to increase its In December, Mayor Thomas M. Menino The historic facade of the building will be renovate the Ferdinand Building and relocate overall vitality. announced plans for a new police station in incorporated into the new office building, but several city agencies to act as anchor tenants It took four years and dozens of community Dudley Square. In another major step forward, the remainder of the site is in disrepair and further increased attention. meetings to put together the master plan.

A new vision in June, will consist of office and retail space, fuel economic growth that continues for our The movement of city employees to Roxbury condominiums and a hotel. In December, the future, we must maximize all of the city’s and South Boston would not only unite the public Boston Redevelopment Authority approved a 26- resources.” and private sectors in those growing for Boston story, 350,000-square-foot, mixed-use complex To do so, Menino has proposed a new City neighborhoods, but would free up prime real VISION: Continued from Page 1 in the Theater District, which will include a hotel, Hall be built on the South Boston waterfront. He estate in downtown. condos and 12,000 square feet of restaurant, spa has also pledged to relocate city agencies to the Boston’s office space vacancy rates are at their a proposal of developer Stephen Belkin, which, if and retail space. The $200 million project, soon-to-be reconstructed Ferdinand Building, lowest in five years and the demand for approved, will create 1.3 million square feet of developed by SW Boston Hotel Ventures, is located in Dudley Square and recently acquired downtown development is stronger than it has office space and public parks on both the ground expected to create more than 300 permanent jobs. by the city. ever been. Because the city owns a parcel of and roof levels. “We’re creating new space across all types of “From an economic perspective, creating two land along the edge of the Boston Harbor, there The tower is one of a series of projects being uses to meet the demands of our growing new outlets – on the waterfront and in Dudley – would be no acquisition costs for the new City proposed by the city. The redevelopment of the economy,” said Menino. “Our development and bringing in thousands of public workers will Hall. The sale of the current City Hall would 1.2 million square-foot Filene’s complex in pipeline contains $12.5 billion of investment – really boost the revival of those two areas,” said provide the city with income to develop two Downtown Crossing, which is expected to begin about 47 million square feet of building space. To Economic Development Director Thomas Miller. modern and visually-appealing buildings. 10 —The Communicator Winter 2007 The Communicator Winter 2007 — 11 NEW VISION NEW VISION FOR BOSTON FOR BOSTON

City Hall: today and tomorrow

Things are looking up in South Boston BY CAITLIN BOWLER commitment to providing public access to the and an attraction for locals. The South Boston waterfront has undergone a waterfront as part of the Boston Harbor clean-up As it finalizes the Master Plan of the 86-acre district dramatic transformation in the last 20 years, highlighted project and Central Artery/Tunnel Project. just east of the Fort Point Channel that is home to many by the development of projects such as the World Trade The MBTA park next to the Children’s Museum and artists, the city is “working to preserve and enhance the Under a plan announced by Mayor Menino in Center, the Joseph J. Moakley U.S. Courthouse, the the interim Harborwalk at Fan Pier were both built as community,” according to Rich McGuinness, Deputy December, Boston City Hall would move to the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, and the new part of this effort. A sewer-separation system is also Director of Waterfront Development. waterfront, in a new building at the site where the Institute of Contemporary Art, which opened in planned for the district, which would ultimately allow Other major stakeholders in the area, including Bank of America Pavilion now sits, below. December. for boats to enter Fort Point Channel, as well as floating convention center representatives, “see the benefit of a Under a plan announced in December by Mayor art and cultural shows. true neighborhood,” and are committed to developing Thomas M. Menino, a new Boston City Hall would be Already, interpretive panels and ship silhouettes, the area with the a sensitivity to the existing residential built on the waterfront, relocating the seat of which present the history of Fan Pier and Boston communities in mind, McGuinness said. government and spurring further development in the Harbor, are situated on the Harborwalk approaching the “We’re creating a new neighborhood within the area. Moakley Courthouse. Once at the courthouse, visitors district, building upon existing residential enclaves.” “The new City Hall will create a new momentum on can view several exhibits and commissioned permanent In part, this means that in the approximately 5.9 the waterfront,” the mayor said. works by noted artist Ellsworth Kelly. million square feet of new development that will A stroll down the Fort Point Channel Harborwalk The area, home to a rich history and artists’ include residential, research and development, and from the Gillette World Shaving Headquarters to the community, is rife with cultural development. The commercial space, the city plans to secure inclusion of Moakley Courthouse gives visitors magnificent views Institute of Contemporary Art is perhaps the most artist live/work space. The city is also working with of the Federal Reserve, Fort Point Channel, and the visible addition to the waterfront and to the city’s the community to determine open space uses most downtown financial district and harbor. cultural landscape. appropriate for area residents. From the Harborwalk, visitors will also see evidence The Children’s Museum is scheduled to open an The larger efforts to build on public investments in of the city’s ongoing commitment to developing the expansion this spring. The Tea Party Museum, a past the waterfront and civic and cultural spaces also include Top, the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA) opened on waterfront through the creation and expansion of fixture in the area that has been closed due to a fire, a commitment to connecting the South Boston Dec. 10. Above, the entrance to the museum boasts the cultural attractions. will resume operations this summer. The museum will neighborhood to these assets. A vibrant cultural district same contemporary style as the artwork inside. Right, The Harborwalk, an attraction that features seating be open year-round and will include a tea room open connected to residents throughout South Boston would Mayor Thomas M. Menino took a tour of the museum areas, lighting, and gardens, also represents the city’s daily, ensuring that the museum is both a destination benefit both communities. while it was under construction. PHOTOS: REBA SALDANHA 12 —The Communicator Winter 2007 NEW VISION FOR BOSTON FFoorr BBoossttoonn,, tthhee sskkyy iiss tthhee lliimmiitt

A rendering of a street-level view of the 1,000-foot tower to be built in Winthrop Square. GRAPHIC COURTESY OF RENZO PIANO BUILDING WORKSHOP

BY MEAGHAN CASEY use tower is constructed to replace the existing Financial Center near Chinatown and 33 Arch with more public space on the building’s roof. The City of Boston is taking towering steps to underutilized parking garage. Street building near Downtown Crossing – are 36 Located in the heart of the Financial District, add a new jewel to its skyline. “The BRA was looking for proposals that and 33 floors, respectively. the Federal Street parcel is less than a block away In November, the city unveiled a proposal symbolize the full scope of this city’s greatness,” The new skyscraper represents a trend in from the Boston Stock Exchange and major from developer Steve Belkin which includes a said Mayor Thomas M. Menino. “With this asset, Boston development for bigger, bolder designs banks and financial institutions. It is also bold design by renowned Italian architect Renzo we are insisting on bold vision and world-class and increased economic opportunities. The convenient to the MBTA and to the shops and Piano for a downtown skyscraper that would rise architecture – in short, a stunning statement of demand for office space in Boston is at a high, restaurants of Downtown Crossing. The building 1,000 feet. The proposed building would enhance our belief in Boston’s bright future.” according to Economic Development Director will sit in the triangular Winthrop Square, which the city’s stunning skyline and make a statement “The mayor has recognized the need for Thomas Miller. is bounded by Devonshire Street, Otis Street and to the world about the prominence of Boston. Boston to be well-positioned in a global economy “We’re seeing a change in attitude in terms of 1 Winthrop Square – an attractive five-story The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) and has raised the bar in asking for architecture density and height,” said Miller. “There’s a need office building with a brick plaza in front of it. formally requested development proposals in that reflects the Boston of the future,” said for these tall buildings. For offices above the 20th The BRA will continue to review Belkin’s May for the city-owned Winthrop Square parcel, Belkin, chairman of Trans National Properties. floor, there’s a separate market in itself.” proposal to determine the feasibility, the located at 115 Federal St. Belkin, who owns the The proposed 75-floor glass and steel tower If approved, Piano’s design would create 1.3 appropriateness of the total development plan and mid-rise building adjoining the site, was the only would surpass the city’s tallest building, the 60- million square feet of office space, with a mix of the benefits to downtown and the city of Boston developer to come forward and meet the Nov. 13 story John Hancock Tower. The most recent retail and restaurant space on the lower floors. A as a whole before the final building design is deadline. The city hopes a high quality, mixed- office towers to open in the city – the State Street one-acre park would be built at ground level, approved. City Hall to be centerpiece for revitalized waterfront BY RICH FAHEY promise of tomorrow’s Boston,” said Menino. we envisioned not so long ago, when the waterfront was still Menino hopes that 1,200 city employees converging daily on just a string of parking lots. Our new City Hall will be a At the center of Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s plan for a the new site would continue to revive the waterfront business resounding declaration that this new building and the future it revitalized South Boston waterfront is a proposed new City district, which has been buoyed by such projects as the Seaport represents belong to all Bostonians.” Hall. Hotel and the World Trade Center. The area, once known for The mayor told business leaders he would like to break The mayor is calling his new project The Gateway to Boston its warehouses and long-abandoned railroad yards, is also now ground within 18 months. at the Harborside, recalling the city’s maritime history. The home to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, the Economic Development Director Thomas Miller said siting new building would be located on a parcel of city-owned land city’s federal courthouse and a series of law firms and popular City Hall on the waterfront is about more than geography. at Drydock Four, which is rented to the Bank of America restaurants. “There’s a lot happening along the waterfront,” said Miller. Pavilion concert facility. The site is accessible via the Silver “Until 10 years ago, the waterfront was the greatest untapped “More and more restaurants and businesses are opening up, Line bus from South Station. asset in this city,” said Menino. “Today, it’s booming and and as part of all of this development, the whole area’s going “This new building will bring together the city’s past and its expanding our downtown. The bustle of the new City Hall will to be raised up. It would be an ideal location for City Hall.” future, at a site that unites the history of our harbor with the increase the activity of those new blocks, creating the vitality The Communicator Winter 2007 — 13 New faces in Boston BPS makes super choice

BY PAUL HALLORAN mayor has an incredibly genuine The next superintendent of Boston commitment to public education,” Rivera Public Schools is keenly aware that it is said. “What better situation to be in than to not exactly a restoration project he is have a mayor like him.” taking on. After the original search process stalled “The system has been improving and it when a Boston newspaper published a is at a very good point as far as urban story – identifying finalists – that included school systems go. We’re inaccurate information, not going to have to start according to several people from scratch,” said Dr. involved with the process, Manuel J. Rivera, who takes the committee went back to over in Boston on July 1, work and focused on Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis III speaks at his swearing-in ceremony as Mayor 2007. Rivera. Some questioned Thomas M. Menino, left, and others look on. “There are many the lack of public input in successful programs and the process, but Rivera said, practices,” Rivera added. though he would have been “Boston is much further happy to participate, it isn’t Boston’s new top cop ahead in some areas.” necessarily the best way to Now, for the rest of the go about it. story. “A process that yields 2- “At the same time, there 3 candidates can potentially building relationships are challenges that the Dr. Manuel J. Rivera be divisive. Factions can Boston Public Schools are develop before someone BY RICH FAHEY those who witness such crimes will readily come facing that need to be addressed,” he said, starts,” he said. forward. quickly listing a few: “to eliminate the Rivera has had a few opportunities to The distance from Lowell to Boston is only 31 “There are limits to what police can do to solve achievement gap; reduce the dropout rate; meet with Boston students, parents, miles, but Edward F. Davis III has come a lot further. crimes,” he said. “We need the help and trust of the have highly effective high schools across administrators and community members. That’s why Boston’s new police commissioner public to prosecute crimes and make arrests … In the the city; address the needs of English “I have been so keenly impressed with the likes to get out of his car often while driving around final analysis, people have to stand up and take a Language Learners; reduce the number of enthusiasm and excitement about Boston the city and introduce himself to officers on the beat. position against violence. Sometimes it takes students referred to special ed.” Public Schools and what has been “I’m trying to meet as many of them as I can face-to- courage, but that’s the only way our justice system His background indicates that Rivera is accomplished and the belief in what can be face,” he said. “I like to let them know I’ve walked works.” the right man for the job. A veteran done in the future,” he said. in their shoes. I’ve had experiences similar to theirs.” Davis said his Lowell experience prepared him educator with more than 30 years’ Dr. Thomas W. Payzant has been Davis, 50, who served as chief of police in Lowell well for the job in Boston, with some exceptions. experience, Rivera, 54, is in his second credited with bringing Boston Public for 12 years, has been meeting with just about “Urban policing both inside and outside the country stint as superintendent of Rochester (NY) Schools to a new level in his 11-year everyone since being appointed by Mayor Thomas is extremely similar. You have a higher volume of Public Schools. Last April, he was named tenure, which culminated with Boston M. Menino on Oct. 23 to replace the departing serious crime and that translates into a higher level of National Superintendent of the Year by the winning the Broad Prize this year as the Kathleen O’Toole. He officially took over the 2,174- intensity when it comes to media coverage,” he said. American Association of School top urban school system in the country. member department on Dec. 1. Davis, who earned a bachelor’s degree from New Administrators. He has drawn widespread Michael G. Contompasis has stepped in to As someone coming into the Boston Police Hampshire College and a master’s in criminal justice praise for improving student achievement guide the system through this transition Department from the outside, he has been making a from Anna Maria College, said today’s police and an inclusive leadership style. period and, by all accounts, it has not special effort to establish relationships with members officers are better trained and better equipped to do Rivera was chosen in late September by missed a beat. Rivera is aware that the bar of the command staff, union officials, and members the job than when he began his career. a search committee co-chaired by School has been set very high for the next leader. of the community, hoping to build the faith and trust “I was a member of the first police academy class Committee Chair Dr. Elizabeth Reilinger “There are very high expectations and in necessary to help him do his job well. mandated by the state. I trained with men who were and Cleve Killingsworth, president and a way that does create an even bigger Davis said working his way up through the ranks police officers at the time who had no training. CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of challenge,” he said. “What are we going to in an urban police department has helped him to We’ve changed procedures dramatically since then. Massachusetts. The School Committee do different that’s going to take student understand what the life of a big-city cop is all about. The overall professionalism has increased unanimously approved the performance to another level? It’s going to His career in Lowell began in 1978 as a patrol dramatically.” recommendation Oct. 4. mean breaking new ground in some areas.” officer; he also served as a detective sergeant and Davis learned a lot from his late father, Edward, Rivera said the School Committee’s Rivera, a Brandeis graduate who earned lieutenant, before being promoted to captain in 1992 also a Lowell police officer. “He was my role model willingness to wait until July for him to a master’s and doctorate at Harvard, is up and chief in 1994. and very much a community police officer,” Davis start was very important in his decision to to the task. “We need to do whatever it “Ed Davis is a man with stellar public-safety said. “He put keeping the peace ahead of arrest and seek and, ultimately, accept the job. “I was takes to make Boston the first district to credentials and is highly respected by many in the prosecution. He taught me that everything isn’t not ready to leave Rochester right away,” eliminate the achievement gap. I want to law enforcement community. During his 12 years as always black and white; it took me a long time to he said. “But if they were willing to wait see Boston be the place that everyone in head of the Lowell Police Department, Lowell has learn that.” and I would have a chance to exit the country wants to see how we have seen a dramatic decrease in crime,” Menino said. Davis says he defines the concept of community gracefully and return to a great city, I made a difference serving all children Davis said one of the biggest challenges ahead of policing as “not a program, but a philosophy. You decided this was the right move for me.” regardless of their race of economic status. him is gaining the trust of the community as a whole, have to try and solve the underlying problem when Two meetings with Mayor Thomas M. The pressure and expectations are high.” so that those who are victims of violent crime or you see it, or you’ll be going back again and again.” Menino helped convince him. “I found the And he can’t wait to get started. 14 —The Communicator Winter 2007 Breathing a bit easier Health commission gets grant to fight asthma

BY KAITLIN RAHL

The Boston Public Health Commission received a three-year, $2 million grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to reduce asthma triggers for residents living in public housing. The money will be used primarily to combat pest infestation and encourage safe and effective methods of pest control. “This is really exciting from a public-health standpoint, a resident standpoint, and a Boston Housing Authority standpoint,” said Margaret Reid, director of the asthma prevention and control program at the Boston Public Health Commission. Members of the Centurion Cycling Club head out for a ride. The long list of the commission’s partners includes the Boston Housing Authority as well as Boston’s two public- housing resident organizations, the Committee for Boston Public Housing and the West Broadway Tenants Task Force. Boston Police log The centerpiece of the Safe Pest Control Initiative will be intensive work in 18 public-housing developments in Boston. The commission will hire and train 10 residents as integrated pest management health advocates whose role will be to educate their neighbors about safe and miles for charities effective pest control and other asthma triggers. The resident health advocates will use kits that include BY PARKER ASHWORTH educational materials as well as supplies to ward off Jones, both instrumental in the work of Members also rode in Reid’s Ride, cockroaches and mice, such as trash-cover bolts, plastic At the Boston Police Department, the Massachusetts Law Enforcement the Rodman Ride for Kids, and the food containers, and materials to cover holes in the walls. officers have combined their Memorial Fund, launched the New York City Police Department’s “Cockroaches are a very serious risk factor for the commitment to community and Centurion Cycling Club in 2005 to Tour de Force, which commemorates development of asthma and a huge issue in any public enthusiasm for sport and wellness by promote health, wellness, and those who died in the September 11 housing,” said Reid. “They are a quality-of-life issue for forming the Centurion Cycling Club – camaraderie among members, by tragedy. residents and a source of endless frustration for staff.” a group of more than 20 officers, their participating in rides that raise funds In Boston, members participated in Although many of the biggest changes will be made in families, friends and law enforcement for various charities. the first Hub on Wheels Bike Festival, the 18 developments at the center of the initiative, its colleagues that participates in charity The club participated in a number of a ride sponsored by Mayor Thomas M. impact will be felt throughout Boston’s public-housing bike rides for a variety of causes. rides last year, and raised more than Menino that took cyclists through developments. The commission plans to launch a public- For 12 years, officers in the $10,000. nearly every neighborhood of the city. awareness campaign about safe and effective pest control, department participated with Gallagher said the highlight of last “The Centurion Club is a chance for as well as a pesticide buyback program. Twice a year, colleagues from police departments year’s cycling was the Face of officers to get together in a different residents of any Boston housing development will be able from across the country in a 6-day, America 2006 ride, where seven kind of setting, with a family-type to turn in their pesticide containers in exchange for 500-mile ride from Boston to officers traveled to Gettysburg, Penn., atmosphere where they can enjoy supplies to help them with safer pest-control procedures. Washington, D.C. as part of National to ride along with 35 disabled riding and its health benefits,” said The grant money will also support two additional BHA Law Enforcement Officer Week. servicemen and women who returned Gallagher. staff, both of whom will focus entirely on pest control. Riders raised money to benefit the from duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. The club originated in the police One new staff member will coordinate with the resident Massachusetts Law Enforcement The two-day, 110-mile journey, department, but, Gallagher pointed health advocates to ensure that the building maintenance Memorial Fund for the planning, which crossed historic countryside, out, it is independent of the and vendor components of the program are addressed. design, and construction of the was organized by World T.E.A.M. department and open to everyone. The other will ensure that safe and effective pest control Massachusetts Law Memorial, which Sports, in association with Walter Friends and colleagues from the procedures and policies are both widely implemented and was unveiled at the State House in Reed Army Hospital and the National greater Boston area have joined club sustainable beyond the initial project period. 2004. Naval Medical Center. members on rides throughout the Superintendent John Gallagher, a “This was a truly inspiring and Northeast and new riders are always member of the club who participated rewarding experience,” said Gallagher. welcome to join. Any fundraising it This is really exciting from a in the Boston-D.C. ride six times, said, “We found ourselves in awe of the does is not on behalf of the police public-health standpoint, “The D.C. ride generated so much determination and grit of the disabled department. a resident standpoint, enthusiasm within the department. soldiers and sailors impaired by The club maintains a Web site at “ and a Boston Housing Once the memorial was built, we serious injury, who completed the ride www.centurioncycling.com, which Authority standpoint. decided to redirect our efforts to with us in modified cycles.” includes a list of upcoming rides. support other projects.” The club raised $5,000 in support of Contact the club by e-mail at Margaret Reid Boston Public Health Commission ” Officers Stephen Green and Cecil the servicemen and women. [email protected]. The Communicator Winter 2007 — 15 SECONDSECOND CHANCESCHANCES who eventually go on to work for the city do Project gives similar kinds of work on a broader scale. During the six months that they are paid homeless a place employees, Clean Corners…Bright Hopes participants work up to 40 hours a week and where they can receive services that include on-the-job training and supervision, case management, be productive weekly recovery and life-skills groups, job- search training and placement, and after-care BY KAITLIN RAHL support. Project Place opened its doors in 1967 in Successful partnerships between the city’s order to provide a safe haven for runaways public and nonprofit sectors make it possible and drug-addicted teenagers. As Boston’s to get a second chance in Boston. needs changed in the 1980s, the agency Since 1999, Mayor Thomas M. Menino shifted its focus from young people to adults has worked with Clean Corners…Bright who are motivated to make the transition to Hopes to hire 24 formerly homeless men and self-reliance and re-establish themselves in women to work for the Department of Public society with dignity. Works and the Parks Department. The men and women who arrive at The Clean Corners…Bright Hopes Project Place often face such obstacles as outdoor maintenance service is one of three insufficient education, domestic violence, small businesses run by Project Place, a health problems, poverty, debt, addictions, a nonprofit agency that serves homeless men limited work history, and a lack of job skills. and women in the Boston area. These Project Place programming addresses A worker in The Clean Corners…Bright businesses help those in need of obtaining these issues by coordinating an extensive Hopes program, run by Project Place, serves on-the-job training while simultaneously system of services designed to help clients Mayor Menino a hot dog. stabilizing their lives. build the skills and confidence necessary to “Mayor Menino supports the program and find employment and an affordable place to hires the graduates, so it is a two-tiered live. partnership,” said Project Place Executive Menino’s commitment to Project Place Director Suzanne Kenney. “He has also and its graduates helps Boston’s homeless supported us by opening doors.” men and women find the work they need to Employees of Clean Corners…Bright rebuild their lives. Hopes are responsible for trash and graffiti “The mayor is a big proponent of granting removal, seasonal planting, sweeping second chances,” said Kenney. “Hopefully Above, a worker keeps the sidewalks, and event set-up in 12 his leadership in hiring our graduates will act sidewalks clean. At left, a neighborhoods and business districts as a catalyst to encourage others to do the Project Place staffer transports equipment for the Home Plate throughout Boston. The program graduates same.” stand. The city is at your service

Dan Prendergast, a longtime resident of the spend several hours recording the results of information and paperwork to understand code, Inspectional city and 11-year veteran of ISD, is one of 18 their inspections into a database that feeds inspectors work with owners directly to help Health Inspectors in this department of 210. results of restaurant inspections onto the Web them determine what steps they need to take to Services ensures Prendergast, 37, has 21 years experience in food site www.mayorsfoodcourt.com. The Web site comply with regulations. service, having worked in several allows consumers in the region to view each According to Pendergast, one of the biggest Boston stays establishments, most recently at the Hebrew restaurant’s most recent inspection results. The challenges of the job, but also one of its most Rehabilitation Home for the Aged in Roslindale results of this program have been recognizable. rewarding aspects is helping some of the up to code as assistant director of food service, prior to “The Mayor’s Food Court has dramatically smaller business with fewer resources available joining ISD. In a typical day Prendergast will helped the overall level of sanitation seen meet the more stringent federal food code BY PARKER ASHWORTH complete between five to six sanitary throughout Boston’s eateries. Businesses are regulations, that include both tougher physical inspections of restaurants and other facilities, aware of www.mayorsfoodcourt.com, and how standards and increased certification among The energy and excitement of urban life are including swimming pools, health clubs, funeral accessible it makes information about specific employees. unparalleled, but enjoying the city is possible homes, day care centers and summer camps. eateries to the public. It hasn’t changed how I “The ISD takes great pride in its contribution only when residents and visitors are confident These inspections generally last from 45 do my job, but this program has definitely to the City of Boston. It’s worth it, working that the restaurants, buildings, and public places minutes to an hour, and the inspectors are improved the levels of compliance throughout with restaurants to achieve compliance so that where they dine, work and live are healthy and always accompanied by the designated person- the city.” the constituents of Boston have clean, safe safe. in-charge responsible for the sanitation protocol Inspectors such as Prendergast also aid establishments to go to throughout the city.” In Boston, the Inspectional Services of the businesses. restaurateurs having difficulty meeting code Prendergast, who lives with his wife and two Department is the agency that maintains these When he returns to the office in the afternoon requirements using an approach dubbed children in West Roxbury, is a real asset to the standards, enforcing sanitation, building, and before he begins inspections the next “compliance through assistance.” In addition to department. “I really enjoy my job and enjoy housing, and health and safety codes. morning, Prendergast and the other inspectors providing owners with the necessary working for the public,” he said. 16 —The Communicator Winter 2007

BOSTON DIRECTORY

Mayor’s Office Chief of Basic City Services Small and Local Business Enterprise Chief Operating Officer 1 City Hall Plaza Room 811 Office Room 608 Boston, MA 02201 1 City Hall Plaza Room 717 1 City Hall Plaza 617-635-4500 Boston, MA 02201 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02201 Thomas M. Menino, Mayor 617-635-4100 Boston, MA 02201 617-635-4479 Michael Galvin, Chief of Public Property 617-635-4084 Dennis DiMarzio, Chief Operating Officer Chief of Staff Brooke E. Woodson, Director 5th Floor Animal Control Cable Communications 1 City Hall Plaza Room 811 Chief Financial Officer 43 Hawkins St. Boston, MA 02201 1 City Hall Plaza Room 813 Boston, MA 02114 617-635-3251 Boston, MA 02201 1 City Hall Plaza 617-635-3112 Judith Kurland 617-635-5348 Boston, MA 02201 Mike Lynch, Director Mark Giannangelo 617-635-2840 Intergovernmental Relations Lisa Signori, Chief Financial Officer Consumer Affairs and Licensing Room 968 Animal Shelter Room 817 1 City Hall Plaza 26 Mahler Road Assessing Department 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02201 Roslindale, MA 02131 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02201 617-635-3817 617-635-1913 Boston, MA 02201 617-635-3834 Bo Holland, Director Kathy Martell 617-635-4287 Patricia Malone, Esq., Director Dina Siegal, Deputy Director Ronald Rakow, Commissioner Election Department Deputy Chief Operating Officer Mayor’s Press Office Room 241 Auditing Department Room 608 Room 603 1 City Hall Plaza Room M-4 1 City Hall Plaza 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02201 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02201 Boston, MA 02201 617-635-4635 Boston, MA 02201 617-635-4479 617-635-4461 Geraldine Cuddyer, Chairwoman 617-635-4671 Patrick Harrington, Deputy COO Dorothy Joyce, Press Secretary Sally D. Glora, City Auditor Parks and Recreation Human Resources Mayor’s 24-Hour Service 3rd Floor Budget Management Room 612 1 City Hall Plaza 1010 Massachusetts Ave. Room 813 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02201 Boston, MA 02118 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02201 617-635-4500 617-635-4505 Boston, MA 02201 617-635-4698 Janine Coppola, Director Antonia Pollak, Commissioner 617-635-3870 Vivian Leonard, Director Karen Connor, Director Mayor's Youth Council Boston Redevelopment Authority Labor Relations Room 603 9th Floor Finance Commission Room 624 1 City Hall Plaza 1 City Hall Plaza 152 North Street 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02201 Boston, MA 02201 Boston, MA 02113 Boston, MA 02201 617-635-4490 617-722-4300 617-635-2202 617-635-4525 Patty McMahon, Director Mark Maloney, Director Jeff Conley, Executive Director John Dunlap, Director

Neighborhood Services Arts, Tourism & Special Events Purchasing Division Management and Information Services Room 708 Room 802 Room 808 Room 703 1 City Hall Plaza 1 City Hall Plaza 1 City Hall Plaza 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02201 Boston, MA 02201 Boston, MA 02201 Boston, MA 02201 617-635-3485 617-635-3911 617-635-4564 617-635-4783 Jay Walsh, Director Julie A. Burns, Director William J. Hannon, Bill Oates, Chief Information Officer Director/Purchasing Agent Office of Homeland Security Boston Residents Jobs Policy Program Registry Division Room 603 43 Hawkins Street Retirement Board Room 213 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02114 Room 816 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02201 617-918-5460 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02201 617-635-3351 Ola Fields, Manager Boston, MA 02201 617-635-4175 Carlo Boccia, Director 617-635-4305 Judy A. McCarthy, City Registrar Business Development Tom Smith, Executive Assistant Office of New Bostonians 9th Floor Worker’s Compensation Service Room 803 26 Court Street Taxpayer Referral & Assistance Center Room 613 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02108 Room M-5 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02201 617.635-2000 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02201 617-635-2980 Andre Porter, Acting Deputy Director Boston, MA 02201 617-635-3193 Reverend Cheng Imm Tan, Director 617-635-4287 Linda T. Kelly, Executive Director

Policy and Planning Employment Commission Treasury 1 City Hall Plaza 43 Hawkins Street 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02201 Boston, MA 02114 Boston, MA 02201 617-635-4624 617-918-5468 617-635-4136 Michael Kineavy, Chief Jay Lacroix, Counsel The Communicator Winter 2007 — 17

BOSTON DIRECTORY

Environmental and Energy Elderly Affairs Boston Public Schools Non-Mayoral/Other Services Room 271 7th Floor 1 City Hall Plaza 26 Court St. Archives and Records Environment Department Boston, MA 02201 Boston, MA 02108 30 Millstone Road Room 805 617-635-4366 617-635-9000 Readville, MA 02136 1 City Hall Plaza Eliza Greenberg, Commissioner Michael Contompasis, Superintendent 617-364-8679 Boston, MA 02201 John McColgan, Manager 617-635-3850 Emergency Shelter Commission Bryan Glascock, Director Room 716 Streets, Transportation & Boston Housing Authority 1 City Hall Plaza Sanitation 52 Chauncy Street Inspectional Services Department: Boston, MA 02201 Boston, MA 02111 Access Boston 5th Floor 617-635-4507 617-988-4130 1010 Massachusetts Ave. Jim Greene, Director 1 City Hall Plaza Sandra B. Henriquez, Administrator Boston, MA 02118 Room 721 617-635-5300 Human Services Boston, MA 02201 City Clerk William Good, Commissioner 5th Floor 617-635-4000 Room 601 1 City Hall Plaza 1 City Hall Plaza Office of Energy and the Environment Boston, MA 02201 Parking Clerk Boston, MA 02201 Room 603 617-635-1413 Room 224 617-635-4600 1 City Hall Plaza J. Larry Mayes, Chief 1 City Hall Plaza Rosaria Salerno, City Clerk Boston, MA 02201 Boston, MA 02201 617-635-3425 Rental Housing Resource Center 617-635-4410 City Council Main Office James W. Hunt III, Chief Room 709 Bruce Graubart, Director 5th Floor 1 City Hall Plaza 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02201 Zoning Board of Appeal Public Works and Transportation Boston, MA 02201 617-635-4200 1010 Massachusetts Ave. Room 714 617-635-3040 Michael Kelley, Director Boston, MA 02118 1 City Hall Plaza 617-635-4775 Boston, MA 02201 Law Department Veteran’s Services Derric Small, Executive Secretary 617-635-4900 Room 615 3rd Floor Dennis Royer, Chief 1 City Hall Plaza 43 Hawkins St. Boston, MA 02201 Housing and Neighborhood Boston, MA 02114 Transportation Department 617-635-4034 Development 617-635-3026 Room 721 William Sinnott, Corporation Counsel 26 Court St. Eugene Vaillancourt, Commissioner 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02108 Boston, MA 02201 Licensing Board Telephone: 617-635-3880 Women’s Commission 617-635-4680 Room 809 Charlotte Golar Richie, Room 716 Thomas Tinlin, Commissioner 1 City Hall Plaza Chief and Director 1 City Hall Plaza Boston, MA 02201 Boston, MA 02201 Water and Sewer Commission 617-635-4170 617-635-4427 Boston Centers for Youth and Families 980 Harrison Avenue Daniel F. Pokaski, Chairman Marie A. Turley, Executive Director 1483 Tremont St Boston, MA Boston, MA 02120 617-989-7000 Library 617-635-4920 Vincent G. Mannering, Executive Director 700 Boylston Street Robert Lewis, Jr., Executive Director Boston Public Health Commission Boston, MA 02117 2nd Floor 617-536-5400 Boston Main Streets Initiative 1010 Massachusetts Ave. Bernard A. Margolis, President Office of Business Development Boston, MA 02118 26 Court Street, 9th Floor 617-534-5395 Boston, MA 02108 John Auerbach, Director 617-635-0115 Emily Haber

Boston Youth Fund Public Safety 440 Park Drive Police Department Boston, MA 02215 One Schroeder Plaza 617-635-4202 Boston, MA 02120 Christine Wainwright, Director 617-343-4200 Edward Davis, Commissioner Civil Rights Room 966 Fire Department 1 City Hall Plaza 115 Southhampton Street Boston, MA 02201 Boston, MA 02118 617-635-2500 617-343-3415 Victoria L. Williams, Director Roderick J. Fraser Jr., Commissioner 18 —The Communicator Winter 2007 Education is path to American dream International Institute of Boston gives immigrants essential tools to succeed BY PARKER ASHWORTH A member of the Boston Workforce Development Coalition (BWDC), the International Institute developed In March of 2004, after winning a lottery visa through the initiative using BWDC’s Career Ladders publication the Moroccan government, Touriya Kebass left her home to help design the Hotel Career Center, and launched it and administrative position in Casablanca at the age of two years ago through funding from the Skillworks 32, determined to fulfill her dream of coming to this Initiative in collaboration with the Hilton Hotel country and making a life. Corporation. After six months living in Connecticut and studying The center offers a variety of skill-based classes, English, she moved to Boston to work at a restaurant near including English for Advancement, specialized computer Downtown Crossing, where she learned about the workshops, and professional skills workshops, all of International Institute of Boston and the educational which are held during working hours and include pay. opportunities it offers. The International Institute, a fixture Career counseling, which involves monthly half-hour in the city since 1924, was founded to provide sessions with a career coach from the institute, is another comprehensive services that foster the success of refugees Many immigrants take advantage of the important element of the program. and immigrants in the social, economic, and political life International Institute’s educational offerings. Asimina Patzakas, a career coach and instructor, said, of the region, and continues its mission today, in part “The counselor’s role is to help the client think about and through educational programs. work, but was willing to try this new path and believed articulate his or her educational or professional goals. We The institute’s Hospitality Training Program, one of its she could succeed. advise them and let them know about different programs most popular, is a six-week program offered four times a “I’m usually an optimist,” said Kebass. “I saw that are available.” year that prepares eligible students for a career in Spanish, Japanese, and Indians in the program and Counselors also work to instill confidence in their Boston’s hospitality and service industry by orienting thought, ‘Why not?’” clients, a quality crucial for success in a second language, them to the industry and customer service, teaching After graduation she was hired by the Doubletree Hotel and act as a liaison between the client and human English and basic computer skills, providing job in downtown Boston as a buffet server and was quickly resources. shadowing and on-site hotel training, and assisting with promoted to the front desk. The highly-motivated Kebass has made the most of job placement. As a Doubletree employee Kebass now participates in these opportunities. Excelling in her work at the front After contacting the institute and learning more about the Hotel Career Center, which provides workers on-the- desk she has already been named Employee of the Month the program from a counselor, Kebass decided to enroll. job opportunities to build on skills and competencies first and has won Doubletree’s customer-nominated Catch Me In Morocco she had done secretarial and accounting mastered in the Hotel Training Program. at My Best honor twice. Residents get a good taste of city’s neighborhoods

BY CAITLIN BOWLER neighborhoods’ commercial districts. “A new restaurant attracts customer traffic, With more than 300 restaurants, cafes, or encourages people to stop and sit down in diners to choose from, eating out in Boston their neighborhood business district, and helps can bring your taste buds to any number of build a comfort level for many people who places across the globe or satisfy them with may have a predisposition to go downtown or tasty dishes created a little closer to home. to the suburbs to do their dining and Either way, chefs and their establishments shopping,” says Department of Neighborhood throughout the city’s neighborhoods have Development Director of Communications much to offer, thanks in part to two programs - DeWayne Lehman. Dining on Main Streets and the Neighborhood The problem, Lehman explained, is that Restaurant Initiative - whose complementary “restaurants are high-risk businesses. Some objectives of promotion and development have studies say that half of newly opened elevated the profile of many restaurants and restaurants fail in the first year. Our initiative helped others surmount the startup hurdle on can help bridge the gap between traditional their way to culinary success. lending sources and the necessary funding Dining on Main Streets is a promotional needed to start up or expand a restaurant. program intended to increase the profile of More importantly, often our mere involvement eateries throughout the city by encouraging with the restaurateur provides a level of residents to take a closer look at the dining assurance to lenders that encourages them to Mayor Thomas M. Menino dines at a sushi restaurant. options available in their own neighborhoods. commit the level of resources needed.” Developed under the umbrella of the Boston Boston Main Streets Director Emily Haber have helped restaurants struggling to get off both the Neighborhood Restaurant Initiative Main Streets program, Dining on Main Streets said, “Boston Main Streets and NRI work the ground achieve both operational stability and Boston Main Streets over the course of six uses the parent organization’s online network closely together when the restaurant being and increased visibility in the neighborhood years, Ka’ Carlos received financing guidance to promote individual restaurants and cafes assisted is in a Boston Main Street district. and the city. and a Boston Main Streets Storefront grant within any of the Boston Main Street districts. The restaurant being assisted will be Ka’ Carlos, located at 33 Hancock St. in and the restaurant, which serves traditional The Neighborhood Restaurant Initiative highlighted on the Dining on Main Streets Dorchester, is a member of the Uphams Cape Verdean and Portugese dishes, is now a works with entrepreneurs early in the Web site as one of the rotating featured Corner Main Streets district and a great lively fixture in the area. development process, helping to bring new, restaurants.” example of the success that such partnerships “The restaurant is a neighborhood jewel,” quality sit-down restaurants to all of the city Working in tandem, these two programs can achieve. Working at various times with Haber said. The Communicator Winter 2007 — 19 BRA draws plan for an artsy city BY CAITLIN BOWLER

Boston is known worldwide as an incubator for creativity, a city that hosts a thriving creative sector that attracts highly skilled workers trained in film, media, arts, music, business and technology, provides 30,000 jobs, and generates $10.7 billion in annual revenues. In an effort to help the creative sector continue to grow in the city, Mayor Thomas M. Menino joined with the Boston Redevelopment Authority and the arts community in May of 2005 to launch Create Boston, a program designed to provide a one-stop shop for companies to access city resources, including assistance with site location and permitting, low-interest loans and financing, workforce development opportunities, and business advocacy. The program targets companies that produce and distribute goods and services rooted in the creative sector, and includes art galleries, graphic designers, musicians, publishers, artists, Mass General Hospital’s Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care features a green roof. architects and writers. The program has identified six disciplines that comprise the city’s creative industries: media, design, film, music, performance art, and crafts. It is supported by a 20-member advisory committee with representation from all six of the disciplines, including academics and cultural nonprofits. BOSTON ROOFTOPS Many businesses in the creative sector have fewer than 20 employees, and those companies benefit not only from the resource clearinghouse, but also from the networks of contacts and other creative enterprises in the city. These connections alone can be an invaluable tool for building a business. Menino has long realized the significant contributions the ARE GOING GREEN creative sector makes to the city’s economy, its cultural fabric and its quality of life. Collectively, these individuals and BY CAITLIN BOWLER choices in building new structures. enterprises can revitalize neighborhoods and ultimately make the In June 2003, the mayor assembled a Green Building Task city a better place to live and work. Neighborhoods such as the Being green isn’t easy. But it is worth it. In another sign of the Force consisting of public and private professionals experienced in South End and Fort Point Channel have been revitalized by artist city’s commitment to innovation in sustainable design, Boston every field related to the financing, design, construction, communities. hosted the fourth annual Greening Rooftops for Sustainable management, and maintenance of buildings. The group was Communities Conference Awards and Trade Show, a conference charged with helping the city navigate the waters of environmental sponsored by Green Roofs for Healthy Cities that brought together and high performance building, with the goal of laying the close to 1,000 professionals to discuss innovative technologies in groundwork for policy initiatives that would lead to a greener green roof design that will reduce environmental impacts. Boston. The Green Building Task Force Report solidified the Jim Hunt, City of Boston chief of environment and energy, and city’s commitment to sustainable design by establishing the LEED keynote speaker at the conference, was enthusiastic about the (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver rating as conference’s ability to spread the word about the benefits of green the goal for all city-owned building projects, and pushing for roofs and raise the technology’s profile among both building LEED certification for all large projects built in Boston. professionals and the greater public. In December, the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) During the course of two busy days, participants had the board voted to add LEED rating as a requirement of Article 80, opportunity to listen to more than 50 speakers addressing such the section of the city’s zoning code that requires the BRA to topics as living walls and vertical gardens; selecting plants for review the design of proposed developments and their effect on peak performance and functionality; and the optimization of the surrounding area and the city as a whole. energy performance. The LEED Green Building Rating System is a national green Green roofs employ plant life and gardens; they are known for building standard developed by the U.S. Green Building Council. their many environmental benefits and attractiveness and are The city has since awarded a number of Green Building feasibility sprouting up all over the city, at both city-owned and private study grants that have allowed project managers to incorporate buildings. green features into their buildings at an early stage in the planning The city started a green roof at the Josiah Quincy School in and design process. The most recent recipients of the $20,000 Chinatown and has several more planned for other city-owned grants are Mattapan Community Development Corporation, projects. Private buildings in the city with green roofs include the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, and North Star West Podium Park at the World Trade Center, Shaw’s Management. Supermarket at the Prudential Center, the Yawkey Center at Mass The grant has allowed Mattapan CDC to explore solar hot General Hospital, and the Manulife Financial building in the water and solar photovoltaic technology for the 63-unit, mixed Seaport District. income home ownership project they are developing in Neponset Green roofs can have beneficial effects when it comes to storm Fields. water, air quality and urban heat island effects. The Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology used the grant Create Boston was launched by Mayor Thomas M. This recent support of green roofs is part of a larger strategy by to investigate green technology, including renewable energy Menino and the BRA to offer the creative community the city to make Boston a leader in green building, a movement to systems, as part of a major historic renovation of the original easier access to city resources. promote sustainability by making environmentally friendly building, which dates to 1908. 20 —The Communicator Winter 2007 Boston People PPARKINGARKING ISIS HERHER LLOOTT

Lifelong Boston resident Debbie Marra loves her job as a Parking Meter Supervisor. PHOTO: REBA SALDANHA Supervisor says there’s more to the job than writing tickets

BY CAITLIN BOWLER uniform, so tourists approach us for information all the Department, Marra says the department is like a family. ebbie Marra, a lifelong resident of Hyde Park time. And that’s the fun part about the job. We’re When she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001, and 15-year veteran of the Boston meeting people from all over the world, right here in with the constant support of her colleagues, she DTransportation Department, loves Boston and Boston.” continued working while undergoing treatment. the role her job allows her to play in the city’s life. Marra “And then, of course,” says Marra, “there’s the really “The department really rallied behind me. I wouldn’t is a Parking Meter Supervisor — a job which, as she sees important stuff, like making sure fire hydrants aren’t have been able to get through it without my job, my it, is about much more than simply parking. blocked. And keeping crosswalks clear to maintain coworkers, and my family. Work especially kept me Dispersed daily throughout all of the city’s accessibility.” focused,” she said. neighborhoods, uniformed officers such as Marra have a The people she meets make the days interesting, but Now in remission, Marra donates some of her spare visibility and availability that make them ideal sources the city itself and its various neighborhoods can be a time to breast cancer research and participates annually in for information and help. source of pleasure, even in the most inclement of the Walk for Strides event, held each October. With her “It’s a good thing we’re out here,” says Marra. “We weather. parents close by, two cats, and a fiance, her life outside help people all the time, finding cars and finding lost “Being outside, makes me appreciate the city. It’s even work remains busy. But she plans to keep working for the children. We’ve even helped people find lost dogs.” fun sometimes, being in the city during a storm when the Transportation Department for the long haul. And in districts that attract high numbers of tourists, snow is coming down and it seems like I’m the only one “I’m committed to the city,” she said. “I’m committed this visibility makes them even more valuable to the city. out there. It can be quiet and beautiful.” to any job that I do. Plus, you’re always helping “We’re the ambassadors,” says Marra. “We’re in After 15 years with the Boston Transportation someone.”