Chinatown Spring Festival!

Saturday, June 3 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Check out the Chinatown Spring Festival! There will be Martial arts, Asian dance (including the festival's first-ever lion dance exhibition) and crafts at this celebration of Boston’s Chinatown.
For more information, visit http://www.chinatownmainstreet.org/

Hines Project Comment Letter

May 15, 2006
Re: South Station Air Rights Project (the “Project”)

Dear Representatives: We are writing to you to comment on the South Station Air Rights Project. We understand that Hines Interests LP (“Hines”) and TUCD LLC (“TUDC”) (collectively, the “Developer”) have filed an environmental impact report with the state and a final project impact report with the BRA.

We appreciate that the Developer has received and been responsive to concerns raised by such authorities as the Federal Railroad Administration, Amtrak, the Federal Transit Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
While we are enthusiastic about the Project and look forward to the benefits it will undoubtedly bring to the South Station area, we are concerned that the Project will significantly impact the Leather District, its residents and businesses, particularly during the Project’s construction phases. The Leather District has been affected by multiple construction projects during the past years, including such projects as the “Big Dig” and the development of 111 Beach Street, Lincoln Plaza and 210 Lincoln Street. We welcome the development of our neighborhood, but know all too well the day-to-day impact of such projects on the welfare of the neighborhood and its residents and businesses.
For these reasons, we respectfully request your consideration of our concerns during your deliberation and consideration of the Project and the necessary city approvals the Project still requires. These include the following:

· Point of Contact. We request that the Developer designate a “Point of Contact” who will be available to the residents and businesses of the Leather District during all phases of the Project, including the construction phases, for questions, comments and concerns.

· General Contractor. We request that the General Contractor be required to designate a community liaison who will be available to the Leather District and interact with us on a regular basis to address any concerns.

· Hotline. There should be a “hotline” made available during all hours of active construction for residents to use to discuss concerns and have issues addressed real time. The hotline should be operated by personnel physically located on the construction site or by personnel who are able to communicate directly with the onsite construction supervisor. · Construction Management Plan.

· Noise. We need a clear and express agreement limiting noise during construction phases, particularly during evening and early morning hours.

· Lights. We need a clear and express agreement protecting the residents from excessive construction lighting.

· Resident Parking. A commitment must be made by the Developer and by the City of Boston to replace all resident parking spots displaced (directly or indirectly) by construction.

· Litter. We request that the Developer assist the Leather District in its efforts to keep a clean neighborhood by pledging a contribution to our “Community Clean Up Project” of $10,000 annually ($20,000 during construction).

Given the scale and complexity of the Project, we know the Leather District will be significantly impacted during the construction and after the Project is complete. After all, the Developer has stated that the Project will create 2,600 jobs during construction alone and 6,000 permanent jobs after completion, and increase the terminal by 40%. Without careful attention to the issues we raised above, the residents of the Leather District could be significantly impacted by this enormous project.

We recognize that the Developer is one of the world’s largest private developers and is second to none in terms of its financial strength, experience and high standards of quality, taste and execution. We appreciate the time that Mr. Perry, Senior Vice President of the Developer, has given to the Leather District, its residents and businesses, answering our questions and providing assurances. We intend to request further time with Mr. Perry to determine whether we can reach an understanding with the Developer that addresses our concerns. We look forward to reporting to you that a mutually agreeable understanding has been reached with the Developer.

In the interim, we respectfully request your consideration of our requests. I may be reached at 617-988-8047 or cbetke@r-c-b.com to answer any questions concerning this matter. Thank you.

Kind Regards,
Christopher G. Betke Chair Leather District Neighborhood Association

cc: Hines Interests LP 885 Third Avenue, Suite 2700 New York, NY 10022-4834 Attn: Mr. David Perry

Chinatown Park Groundbreaking Ceremony

There will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Chinatown Park on Monday, May 15 at 11:30 am in front of the Chinatown Gate. Apparently, this is going to be a big event with confirmed speakers including, Chairman Matt Amorello, Senator Edward Kennedy, Congressman Capuano, Speaker of the House Sal DiMasi, Community Liaison Stephanie Fan. Others who will be there include, Council President Michael Flaherty, City Councilor Sam Yoon, State Senator Diane Wilkerson, Michael Wong of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association.

Members of the LDNA worked hard last year to make sure that the park would be something special when design changes were made to try and save money. We think the final plans are terrific. Come out and see the beginning of something special!

Hines Project

HINES PROJECT FOR THE SOUTH STATION AIR RIGHTS

At our meeting last night, the Boston Redevelopment Authority ("BRA") presented the Hines proposal for a three building project over the South Station air rights. The project includes a Tower with office (920,000 sq. feet), a hotel/residential building with a 200-room hotel and a 170,000 sq. ft. residential component and a mid-Rise Office Building of 455,000 sq. ft. as well as associated parking for up to 755 cars. This is a big project that will have a great deal of impact on our neighborhood.

The deadline for soliciting public comments on the Project to the BRA is May 15, 2006.
Comments can be submitted to the BRA via email to Jim Gribaudo, Senior Project Manager at: jim.gribaudo.bra@cityofboston.gov