--~ ·- Towing Troubles Page3 Bowman Looks Ahead Page9 Sports Awards Page a Vol.1, Number 28 January 14, 1988 - ALLSTON DEALERSHIP PLANNED 'J Volvos for Vatco? By Joe Clements City officials and residents gave mixed reviews this week on a proposal to open a Volvo dealership in North Allston. The business is planned for the former Vatco Industries building on Everett Street, a site some say is inappropriate for that type of use. "It's a very poor location from my standpoint," said District 9 Boston City Councilor Brian McLaughlin. "I don't think it fits in there at all." :'rhe 118,000-square-foot building is owned by Edward Madden, a local real estate developer and owner of a pa~ing company. Madden became embroiled in a controversy this past year with No: th · Allstorrresidents after he paved over a house lot to extend the parking lot for his Lineoln Street office building. ~ . " According to Howard Speicher, an attorney for Madden, Boston Volvo has an option to buy 96,000 square feet of the Vatcoproperty to use for the dealcrship.lf things go smoothly, the company would Of!''" for~c-rvice and parts by June or July, :md have its I sales operation in place by October. The Vatco Industries building on Everett Street, where a Volvo dealership hopes to locate. Derek Szabo photo Continued on page 16 MTO Debates PICKET PET Kennedy Bill By Joe Clements plan that gave developers low-interest loans to construct affordable housing. A tenant's group this week The program provided a loophole for alternated praise with criticism for anyone who took out the 40-year state and federal efforts to retain mortgages, allowing them to pre-pay thousands of affordable housing units, the mortgages after 20 years. Once pre­ including about 350 in Allston­ paid, the units would no longer be Brighton. The Massachusetts Tenants subject to U.S. Depariment of Housing Organizatio~ credited Congressman and Urban Developm~nt rent review Joseph Kennedy II with passing a law and affordability stan<f4rds.' in Washington that protects units in so­ Because the 20-year mark is called "expiring use" buildings, but approaching for many of the buildings, charged that an amendment forced affordable housing advocates have through at the last moment weaJcens the become increasingly c~nc~med that bill in Kennedy's home state. many developers will pti-pay the "Because of this amendment, mortgages and tum the apartments into the federal bill does not guarantee market-rate units. Over 18,6oo of the residents of Allston-Brighton the same units are in Massachusetts. protections that it does for people in U nder Kennedy's bill, Chicago, Illinois or Dallas, Texas," developers must now get HUD MTO spokesman Michael Fogelberg approval before pre-paying their told the Journal on Tuesday. "It's a mortgages, and to do so must prove that good bill, a necessary bill ...but it's not no tenants will be displaced and that the as strong in Massachusetts." affordable units will remain so. It also Winter snow and an imposing renee are not enough to intimidate The legislation involves a offers incentives such as increased this Brighton dog's inquisitiveness. Andree Lerat photo class of buildings built in the late 1960s subsidies or loan refinancing if and early 1970s under a federal subsidy Continued on page 10 -- BULK RATE The Allston-Brighton Journal U.S. POSTAGE 353 Washington Street, No. 11 PAID BOSTON, MA Brighton, MA 02135 PERMIT NO. 53700 Page 2 The Allston-Brighton Journal January 14, 1988 JOURNALBRIEFS ... Marty's Site has New Plan The owners of the Marty's Liquor Store site at Harvard and Commonwealth Avenues in Allston have come up with a new plan for the property, one involving a mix of retail and residential use. A representative of co-owner Martin Siegal was to meet Thursday night with the South Allston Neighborhood Association board to present the latest design plan. According to Bernard Shadrawy Jr., a spokesman for Siegal, the three-story building would feature a first-floor retail space that would include a new Marty's and some smaller stores. The top two stories would be 24 apartments, with most of them two-bedroom units. While stating that rental prices have not been determined yet, Shadrawy said they would most likely be market rate. Shadrawy noted that the property meets the Interim Pl~nning Overlay District's 35-foot height Joseph Perere of Perere Construction shows enthusiasm for his work on the caretaker's bouse at standard, and said every effort was made to make the Evergreen Cemetery in Brighton. Working with Perere is George Hernandez. Derek Szabo photo building fit in with the surrounding area. "We realize that comer of Harvard and Commonwealth A venues is a very vital area aesthetically for Allston-Brighton," Shadrawy said. F<:>rmer .Station Owner Injured "It's kind of the gateway to Allston." Helene Solomon, a co-chair with SANA, · · Thom·as Murphy, who operated the Mobil and said no other injuries were reported. Murphy was said she has reviewed the plans, but would reserve Service Station in Brighton Center for 39 years until hit as he erossed Market Street near the Faneuil Street judgement until the board meets with Shadrawy. he sold it in November, was seriously injured intersection. He was struck in the left leg and hurled Solomon did say, however, that she feels the 39 Wednesday morning when he was struck by an onto the vehicle, With his head hitting the windshield. parking spaces planned are not enough. Shadrawy automobile. Murphy, rushed to Brigham & Women's The sale"of Murphy's station,located across said he has been working on that issue. Hospital following the 11 a.m. accident, was reported from t!!Y District 14 Pol iceS tation, was seen as the end The latest proposal is a scaled-{!own version to be in critical but stable condition later that night of an era for the community. It al_so has sparked a of a four-story building shown to residentsjn October. after being admitted with leg and head injuries. controversy as rqits future use. The property has been The former Marty's, a longtime landmark at the Police would not release the name of the bought by two·Belmont men who hope to open a pizza comer, was destroyed in a frre last summer. driv~. but said no charges had been filed against her shop there, despite opposition from area residents. Grand Opening! l .....L. Bud Light $10.49 +deposit 2-12 pk. cans Offering fine Indian cuisine 'd.t affordable prices in an elegant setting. Tai ·M~hai" ·~r ·iDdi·il· 1215 Commonwealth Avenue, Allston, MA 02134 787-2141 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• Open 7 days ........ Monday-saturday: 11:30-3:00 Special Lunch 5:00-11:00 Dinner Saturday & Sunday Serving Dinner 3:00-11:00 pm Sunday Special Buffet Brunch Noon-3:00pm ($7.95 per person-all you can eat!) Mastercard & Visa accepted. Minimum purchase $10.00. No Strogoff Vodka so proof $8.99 1.75 Liter personal checks please. Lottery Tickets on sale Watch for our coupon in the mail for add/tonal Holiday Savings! Ja~uary 14, 1988 The A~lston-Brighton Journal Page 3 1l~ Captain ~~ ;J-4 Zaippo's~ 'fl'FAMILY RESTAURANT 568 Cambridge St. Allston, MA 02134 • 254-9509 • Try our Breakfast Specials ·· Lunch Specials • $2.99 . Soup & Sandwich • $2.95 Try Our Seafood Specials • Broiled Scrod • Broiled Scallops Our prices are so low, we're The Superior Automotive Warehouse property on Pratt Street, where Fries Towing has been storing ashamed to mention them. Stop cars towed from Brookline. Several local residents have complained about the practice. Derek Szabo photo by and see for yourself! H·ours: ll!l.o·n.-Sat. 7 am-9 pm As Wall · Bill Passes, Sun. 8 am-9 pm - . We Feature: Home style cooking :damily atmosphere Tow Issue Ern-erges seafoqd specialties By Joe Clements two communities. Any municipality that wants to make such a change would have to notify the abutting Despite reported pressure from Brookline city or town in writing,_and then hold a public hearing Selectmen against it, a bill to prevent communities and obtain permission from that neighboring from blocking off roadways shared by neighboring community. The commissioner of the Massachusetts BRIGHTON cities and towns passed the Massachusetts Senate is\ Department of Public Works would mediate any the session's final hours. The legislation now awaits stalemates that arose. SEAFOOD Governor Michael Dukakis' signature. Honan said he is encouraged by the bill's FiJed originaJJy by District 19 Rep. Kevin outcome, which passed the House 138-1 before going Honan, the bill came after Brookline barricaded to the Senate. He praised state senators Michael Columbia Street at the Allston border last summer. Barrett and Michael LoPresti Jr. for their work in ~ Known as WaJbridge Street in Allston, the roadway getting the bill through the Senate, calling their efforts was cJosed to keep out motorists who wen~ allegedly "a full court press." using the street as a shortcut and endangering "We couldn't have done it without them," · You saw us in the Brookline children. Honan said. "They were both very enthusiastic and wanted to see it happen." Boston Globe In a press release, LoPresti called for "Cheap Eats"! "I haven't given up on an out­ Brookline to take down the barrier, charging that the of-court settlement, but we're community misused a state law allowing cities and towns to close roadways entirely within their own not going to let this drag on borders. Take Out Orders Available forever." "Clearly the legislature never intended for a 734-0920 municipality to put up barriers when the law allows -District 19 Rep.