Dorchester Reporter “The News and Values Around the Neighborhood” Volume 34 Issue 6 Thursday, February 11, 2016 50¢ Push is on to fund Morrissey Blvd. revamp Lawmakers, DCR officials brief civic groups By Jennifer Smith reporter Staff A long-discussed – but never entirely funded— restoration project aimed at modernizing flood-prone Morrissey Boulevard will be getting a renewed public airing in the next two months. The Department of Recreation and Conservation (DCR) and other state officials are spreading the word to local stake- holder groups to be on stand-by for a new round of planning meetings aimed at re-designing A rendering depicts a pair of buildings that will house the first-ever dormitories for UMass Boston the state-owned park- undergraduates. The complex is set to be built by 2018. Image courtesy UMass way, one of the most critical arteries into the city from the south. UMass to build dorms on Columbia Pt. A DCR spokeswoman briefed the all-volunteer A familiar view of a By Jennifer Smith a statement. “UMass Boston is the The UMass Building Authority Neponset River Green- washed out Morrissey reporter Staff most diverse campus of its size in issued a Request For Proposals way Council last week Blvd. The University of Massachu- New England, and we know there (RFP) in December 2014, looking on the subject, according setts is moving forward with plans is a direct connection between for a partner in constructing the to council chairperson to open its first-ever residence on-campus housing and academic residential complex. Capstone Jessica Mink. The planning and design budget is hall for students on its Dorchester success. We therefore believe it Development will lease a portion reportedly fully funded, Mink said, adding that campus. Through a public-private is crucial to provide our Boston of the UMass Boston campus to they were told that funding is not secured for the partnership model, mulled by students with the opportunities develop the facility, the university construction component. To continue with the plan- the university for the past year, that students at most colleges said. Once developed, a non profit ning stage, council members were told that a public construction of the Columbia and universities take for granted.” management entity will own and meeting hosted by the DCR is expected in February Point residence halls would be operate it and UMass will oversee or March, though no date has yet been set. completed in time for a 2018 the student life components. (Continued on page 11) opening. Lew Finfer: Civic leader UMass entertained seven of “This is a major milestone in blocked UMass dorms eight development submissions the history of UMass Boston and in the 1970s for consideration, determining Body cam bill gets a significant accomplishment Capstone to be “the best quali- for the university as a whole,” Page 8 fied developer to undertake the President Marty Meehan said in (Continued on page 4) State House review By Jennifer Smith on government search reporter Staff and seizure of electronic Tattoo, body art parlor Legislators are con- data, referenced a host sidering a state bill that of high-profile officer- seeks favor in Fields Corner would require every involved shootings in police officer to wear pushing for the legisla- By Jennifer Smith be reflected in hiring experienced a visible body camera, tion. The group noted reporter Staff employees. Her message to any potential workers: “If you’re not with advocates saying in a statement that two The team behind a tattoo parlor shootings – Michael and body piercing shop proposed on board with what we’re trying the increased account- to do with the community, then ability is long overdue Brown in Ferguson, for Field’s Corner pitched abut- Mo. in 2014 and Denis ters at a City-hosted meeting you can leave.” and Boston Police worry- A public toilet in Copley Sq. could Reynoso in Lynn in 2013 Tuesday evening. The dozen Few renovations were needed ing that the legislation is be Ashmont-bound. – were not documented gathered around a table at the to the floor plan of the former too much, too soon. Boston Eyewear shop, which The dual bills (H 2170 on video. “But what if All Dorchester Sports League there had been?” Digital building on Dorchester Avenue would house two tattoo artists Public toilet eyed / S 1257) step into a and a piercer, Smith-Cameron fraught discussion about Fourth posed. reckoned with zoning concerns, for Ashmont State Sen. Jamie and a general unease surrounding said. She has been leasing it since the excessive use of police force, often perpetrated Eldridge (D-Acton) body art shops. October, making her way through By CaleB nelSon against people of color. Around six tattoo shops operate the approval process. reporter CorreSpondent (Continued on page 5) in Boston - in Allston, the North David Cotter with the Mayor’s If you want it, the potty will Police departments have End, Roslindale, and Jamaica Office of Neighborhood Services come. expressed concern re- Plain. Lisa Smith Cameron, who headed the meeting, joined by a A new public toilet could be garding body camera has owned and operated the representative from City Coun- installed near Ashmont station privacy, process, and Glover’s Corner salon Lisa’s All cillor Frank Baker’s office. A as part of a citywide “street potential conflict with Natural Hair Beauty for the past hearing before the city’s Zoning furniture” project— if neighbors the community policing 16 years, wants to open Vision Ink Board of Appeals has not yet ask for it. About 20 area residents model on which local de- at 1558 Dorchester Ave. been set, Cotter explained. He weighed the pros and cons of a partments, like Boston, Smith Cameron said she plans has to recommend the project public bathroom at last Thursday pride themselves. Digital Fourth, a vol- All contents copyright to run a “a really upscale environ- for a date, at which point it can evening’s meeting of the Ashmont- © 2016 Boston unteer group focused ment tattoo parlor,” which would (Continued on page 2) (Continued on page 17) Neighborhood News, Inc. Brian W. O’Sullivan CFP®, ChFc, CLU Partner 234 Copeland Street, Suite 225 Quincy, MA 02169 Tel. 617-479-0075 Ext. 331 Fax 617-479-0071 Brian W. O’Sullivan, CFP ®, ChFC, CLU, is a registered representative of and offers securities, investment advisory and financial planning services through MML Investors Services, LLC, Member [email protected] SIPC. Supervisory Address: 101 Federal Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA 02210 • 617-439-4389 www.commonwealthfinancialgroup.com Page 2 THE REPoRTER February 11, 2016 dotnews.com DOT BY THE DAY Pope’s Hill Residents launch petition drive school hopes Feb. 11 - 21, 2016 against Cote Village project to add high A snapshot look at key upcoming events in and school seats around the neighborhood for your weekly planner. By CaleB nelSon reporter CorreSpondent Dorchester’s Neigh- A week after a feisty BRA-sponsored borhood House Charter Thursday (11th) – Listening session at the public meeting, neighbors who will School — one of the Lower Mills Branch of the BPL, 27 Richmond St., be most impacted by a proposed first five charter schools Dorchester, 6:30 p.m. to discuss search for the next mixed-use development in Mattapan established after the BPL president. have begun a petition drive that raises Education Reform Act passed in 1993—is now Saturday (13th) – Dorchester Boxing Club significant objections to the project. To date, some 63 neighbors on the streets looking to expand to benefits from fight night at The Royale, 279 Tremont include a high school. St., Boston, 5-9 p.m. Featuring Dorchester’s Donnie closest to the Cote Village project have signed onto a statement that urges The school on Pope’s Palmer vs. Arthur Serebekian; Jason Kelly vs. Greg Hill currently has about Thomas. $40 general admission; $75 VIP. the BRA and the development team to scale down the density of the proposed 400 students in grades Monday (15th) – Presidents’ Day Family Festival apartment complex and to add more K1-8. It hopes to add 428 at JFK Library, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. includes live music, “ground floor business space with high high school seats with museum tours and actors portraying presidents. See capacity for job creation.” their new proposal. jfklibrary.org for full details. Jacques Dady Jean, a direct abutter Kate Scott, the school’s to the proposed project on Regis Road, executive director, said Tuesday (16th) – Free Winter Children’s Fest led the signature drive last weekend. that there is “a real de- at Boston Common starts at 10 a.m. Attractions The signatories, he said, include 10 sire to expand to move up include: Snowzilla (a three-story-high inflatable home owners on Regis Road, where into high school years.” snow tube slide), and SnowGlobe, Live! a 15-foot-tall the five story, 76-unit housing develop- N H C S p r i m a r i l y snow globe that allows participants to step inside ment is planned to rise near the corner serves families in the “We are in receipt of this petition, and take photos. ofCummins Highway. greater Dorchester and we will have a conversation with • Polish Triangle’s John W. McCormack Civic “If you want socio economic develop- area. When students the development team to see what can Association meets at 7 p.m. at the parish hall of ment in the neighborhood, you are graduate from NHCS be done about this issue,” said Martin. Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta. More at Mc- looking for business, not low income many apply to other “It’s important to remember that CormackCivic.org.