Dorchester Reporter “The News and Values Around the Neighborhood” Volume 35 Issue 50 Thursday, December 13, 2018 50¢ Campbell to focus on city-wide equity in next term By Jennifer Smith body’s president. neighborhoods, particularly Mattapan and newS editor In a conversation with the Reporter in her Dorchester, not through a deficit lens but City Council President Andrea Campbell council office last week, Campbell said she through a lens that highlights all of the is looking to continue to use her platform has not lost sight of her roles in representing incredible work that people are doing in to push for equity across a city strained a district and being a Mattapan resident the community every single day to expand by housing costs and grappling with new as she continues to head up the council. resources for our youth to make sure we industries as she prepares for another run “The reason I sought this role out, after have more parks, affordable housing, and for her District 4 seat. being encouraged by some colleagues to just to make sure to ensure that it’s a safe The 36-year-old councillor swept into do it, was to raise the profile of District 4,” and thriving and prosperous community.” office in 2015 by unseating 32-year she said. “To get folks to talk about these With her suitcase packed for a work incumbent Charles Yancey. Two years trip, and munching on almonds, Campbell later, her colleagues elected her the first At-large field lining up for ’19 discussed the continuing need for invest- Andrea Campbell African-American woman to serve as the Page 16 (Continued on page 11) Pushing positive lens Fed tax program eyed for growth in ‘Opportunity Zones’ Boston limited to 13 zones By BiLL forry tisan support in a frac- editor tured Washington— say A new federal tax- it could be significant in deferment program in- communities that have tended to spur economic lagged behind the cur- growth in select low- rent phase of economic income neighborhoods growth here and nation- across the country will ally. Skeptics say the tax launch in the new year. benefits may be more The Internal Revenue of a “sweetener” with Service (IRS) will of- only marginal impacts fer qualified investors in high-cost cities like significant tax breaks Boston. on capital gains over the Whatever the potency next decade if they buy of the tax incentive, in and develop property in Boston’s neighborhoods specific census tracts— they will be contained SPiFFed-uP Future FOr Old SChOOl PuB dubbed “Opportunity to just 13 census tracts, The Dot Tavern at 840 Dorchester Ave. closed in early November. The building’s new owner, Doug George, Zones.” including Dorchester’s intends to re-open it under new management as soon as possible as he plans a more robust renovation Advocates for the fed- Columbia Point penin- project for the property. The Dot Tavern was— until its hiatus— one of just a handful of “old school” eral initiative— which sula, the Boston Harbor pubs left on the avenue. Editorial, Page 8. Christopher Blair/Blair Images has enjoyed rare bipar- Islands, and sections to the west of the Blue Hill Avenue corridor that include lands largely off What we know at this point about how the table for redevelop- ment, including Franklin Park and four large the city is recasting the BPS footprint cemeteries. City of Boston officials By max Larkin Officials routinely mention that two- were asked to pick the wBUr reporter thirds of BPS buildings were put up zones last spring by the As it faces daunting challenges that have before World War II. And a 2017 analysis Baker administration. built up over decades, the Boston Public performed by an architectural firm found With but a few weeks Schools system is embarking on a major that they’re showing their age. That to make nominations, transformation. analysis judged that the acoustics, air Mayor Walsh’s team Over the course of the next decade, the quality, and building ventilation to be of economic and hous- $1 billion “BuildBPS” plan will remake the “poor” or “deficient” in about half of those ing advisors opted to district’s physical footprint inside and out. buildings, for example. The plan, long a priority for Mayor Marty About a third of Boston’s own capital (Continued on page 3) Walsh, will also change the way students spending on BuildBPS — around $190 move from school to school and from home million — will go to deferred maintenance, to the classroom. The bright central atrium at the center of which Perille said had reached “crisis As the plan has solidified over the past the new Dearborn STEM Academy, which proportions” in some schools. It will also pay several weeks, interim superintendent opened in 2018. for tech upgrades and other improvements Laura Perille has said people can expect to Robin Lubbock/WBUR photo throughout the district. An additional see the “construction or major transforma- the district’s 125 schools can expect a $13 million will go to buy “21st-century tion” of 12 schools launched or completed by totally new learning space at the end of this furniture” — chosen from a ‘menu’ by 2027. Among those are the Carter School, drawn-out process. But nearly all students schools — that’s mobile, ergonomic, or may Boston Arts Academy, the Quincy Upper throughout the city can expect to feel some better suit students with disabilities. All contents School and the Eliot K-8, many of which of the ripples of BuildBPS. The process will end, officials hope, with copyright © 2018 have been waiting for new facilities for Here’s how the district is proposing to safe, modern learning environments — and Boston many years. solve its structural problems, and what’s the end of the ‘egg-carton’ classroom. Neighborhood That means around 10 percent of likely to change. (Continued on page 4) News, Inc. RELIGIOUS SERVICES CHAPEL SHORT-TERM REHABILITATION AFTER HOSPITALIZATION VIETNAMESE PROGRAMMING (MENU, ACTIVITIES & STAFF) LONG-TERM CARE WITH DEDICATED NURSING STAFF PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL AND SPEECH THERAPY COMPASSIONATE END OF LIFE CARE 321 CENTRE STREET, DORCHESTER, MA 02122 MAKE A REFERRAL: CALL US AT 617-825-6320 WWW.STJOSEPHREHAB.COM Page 2 THE REPoRTER December 13, 2018 dotnews.com dOt BY the dAY Police dec. 13 - 27, 2018 Courts A snapshot look at key upcoming events in and around the neighborhood for your weekly planner. & Fire Thursday (13th) – Savin Hillbillies in concert at Man shot to death Homestead Bakery and Café, 1448 Dorchester Ave., while sitting in car Dorchester, 6:30 p.m. Lots of food & drinks available in Mattapan along with baked goods & sweets. Admission is free. • Carney Hospital hosts its annual Holiday A man was shot in a Giving Bake Sale from 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Benefits the car on Savannah Av- Behavioral Health Department. Items for sale will enue, near Messinger include cupcakes, cookies and much more. The event Street, shortly before will take place in the lobby of the main hospital. 10 p.m. on Monday. Friday (14th) – Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre The victim was declared Company’s The Nutcracker opens this evening at dead at the scene. Police 7:30 p.m. for a 13 show-run at the Strand Theatre are looking for a maroon through December 23. Tickets start at $25. For more minivan in connec- ticket information, visit ballettheatre.org. tion with the shooting; Saturday (15th) – Boston City Singers perform they say a man shot perform at 11 a.m. at Hope Central Church, 85 the victim, got into Seaverns Ave. in Jamaica Plain and will showcase the vehicle and then the singing talents of children aged 4 to 11 from fired several more shots the organization’s Jamaica Plain and Dorchester Mikeira Marshall and Medgene Joseph, students at Codman Academy Charter before the driver drove Kodaly and Training Chorus groups. School, were on hand at the Animal Rescue League of Boston’s Friday Wellness away. Anyone with Sunday (16th) – Boston City Singers free Winter Clinic at the Dorchester YMCA on Washington Street last week. The students information is asked to Stars holiday concert at 3 p.m. at St. Ann Church, 243 are working as interns with the ARL program, which offers affordable pet care contact homicide detec- Neponset Ave., and feature performances by children for dogs and cats at the Y every Friday. Services are open to all Dorchester tives at 617-343-4470 from Boston City Singers’ Carolers and teens from residents, and while walk-ins are welcome, appointments can be made by or anonymously to 1 its Cantare, Harmony and Tour Choir groups. The calling (857) 413-5964. In order to receive services, dogs must be leashed, and 800-494-TIPS. cats must be in a carrier. For more information, see arlboston.org. singers will be accompanied by the Saint John Paul Catholic Academy’s String Ensemble. Admission First-degree murder is free. Free-will donations to Boston City Singers’ Pressley’s last council hearing verdict in Gallivan Scholarship Fund will be accepted at the door. road-rage case Monday (17th) – Author Tom MacDonald speaks a time for survivors to speak up A 31-year-old Dorches- at Adams Street BPL, 6:30p.m. The Dot-born writer ter man was found “So why another hear- around age 13. But he will discuss his book “Murder in the Charlestown By Jennifer Smith guilty Tuesday of the ing? Because we still have was there to advocate for Bricks.” 690 Adams St. Dorchester. newS editor first-degree murder of questions,” Pressley said mental health resources Sunday (23rd) – A Festival of Nine Lessons & Congresswoman-elect 21-year-old Joey DeBar- Monday evening.