Making good on a commitment to shift its student population away from Beacon Hill, Suffolk University is moving ahead with plans to build a new $62 million classroom facility in the Ashburton Place area while selling off two buildings on the Hill. “It’s very exciting project that’s historic in many ways because this is...
Full Print Edition
DCR Changes Operator for Storrow Dr. Parking Lot
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) announced Monday that LAZ Parking is the winning bidder of a five-year permit for operation of the Charles River Reservation Storrow Drive parking lot – previously rented and used by Mass Eye & Ear Infirmary. The winning bidder also promised more access to the lot in off...
Developers Brief IAG on Nashua Street Residence Project
Developers of a fairly large project in Beacon Hill briefed the Impact Advisory Group (IAG) last Tuesday during the first meeting sponsored by the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) concerning the Nashua Street Residence project. This was the first meeting with the newly formed IAG since Avalon Bay took over the project in August from...
Thank You to All Volunteers
Over this past weekend, Beacon Hill was a beehive of holiday decorating activity. Neighbors on the Hill and students from MIT, Suffolk, Emerson and Northeastern gave up their time on Saturday and Sunday to help decorate the lampposts with holiday laurel and bows. Wherever one walked on the Hill on Sunday, people with ladders...
Suffolk University Made the Right Decision
The announcement last week by Suffolk University officials to start the process of moving classrooms out of the neighborhood and shifting toward a downtown campus is a win-win for both the university and the residents of Beacon Hill. Over the last forty years, both the residences of the neighborhoods of the north side of...
Mayor Menino
No matter where any Boston resident goes, the talk ultimately turns to the health and future of Mayor Thomas Menino, who has been hospitalized for the last five weeks and is now at the Spaulding Rehab Center. This Sunday, parishioners at St. Cecilia’s in the Back Bay included the Mayor in their prayer of...
Police Briefs 12-04-2012
Nov. 19 89 Mt. Vernon St. – Sick/Injured/Medical – Person 89 Mt. Vernon St. – Motor Vehicle Accident – Other City Vehicle 39 Bowdoin St – Trespassing Nov. 20 Beacon Street – Motor Vehicle Accident – Leaving Scene – Property Damage 74 Joy St. – Dangerous or Hazardous Condition Nov. 21 19 Louisburg Square...
Obituaries 12-04-2012
Rogina Louisa Haase Jeffries Active volunteer in neighborhood Rogina Louisa Haase Jeffries of Boston, loving wife since 1989 of Stephen Benjamin Jeffries and mother of Julia Preston Faulkner Jeffries, age 12, and Philip John Roosevelt Jeffries, age 10, passed away on Nov. 11, after a long illness. Mrs. Jeffries was devoted to her immediate...
Scampo Gift Card Benefits Mass Eye and Ear
This year treat a friend of loved one to a Scampo Gift Card and be rewarded yourself! Not only do you get to take home a free Gift Card of $100 for every $100 spent in Gift Card purchases, starting at $200, but you can revel in the spirit of giving back too. 1%...
ISD Rules 54 Chestnut St. Dangerous and Unsafe : Times Reader Tip Alerts, ISD to Home Conditions
The Inspectional Services Department (ISD) cited a residential building on Chestnut Street for “dangerous and unsafe conditions” last Tuesday after a Times reader called attention to the potential hazard. ISD Commissioner Bryan Glascock said a city inspector issued a violation to the condominium association for 54 Chestnut St. after observing “maintenance issues with the...
BHAC Nixes Curb-cut Plan
Beacon Hill Architectural Commission unanimously denied an application from the city’s Public Works Department for the proposed design for curb cuts in the Historic Beacon Hill District on Nov. 15. In existing concrete sidewalks, the application outlined plans to construct ramps using standard, un-tinted concrete and to adorn them with brick-red tactile strips made...
Downtown View Parking Lot Worries
I’m worried. It’s about a surface parking lot. It seems silly to worry about a parking lot, but that’s the way it is. Maybe it will turn out okay, but things have a way of getting out of hand. Let’s hope I’m wrong. This parking lot lies on the Esplanade near Charles Circle. That...
Holidays Are in Full Swing
Thanksgiving has come and with it a few added pounds around the waist have been gained. Now, the race is on for Christmas. If you drive around the neighborhood, Christmas lights and decorations are already out on homes. This is only the calm before the storm of events that will get you into the...
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
With the holiday season now upon us, we urge our readers to remember to be aware of your surroundings as you race from a holiday party to planning for friends and family visiting to just coming back with your Christmas shopping. This piece of advice is all the more relevant with the recent home...
Police Briefs 11-30-2012
BEACON HILL BEAT From Boston Police Area A-1 COMMUNITY SERVICE OFFICE: 617-343-4627 • DRUG UNIT: 617-343-4879 • EMERGENCIES: 911 Larceny in a Building 11/16/12 – A Charles Street jewelry store reported an unknown male suspect entered the establishment at around 6:23 p.m. and stole a diamond and platinum ring from a display cabinet before...
Holiday Fundraiser at the Hampshire House
On Wednesday night residents came to the Hampshire House for the Annual Garlands and Green fundraiser. The money raised at this event will go to purchase the laurel gardens and red bows that are put on the lamp posts of Beacon Hill. In the top photo are from left Kate Clopeck, Tom Kershaw owner...
WECA Hears Talk on Future of BRA
The West End Civic Association (WECA) sponsored a meeting Tuesday night to discuss the BRA’s (Boston Redevelopment Association) role in neighborhood planning and development, the BRA’s Article 80 process and what action residents can take to impact development. The meeting, held at the West End Museum, was titled “Neighborhood Development: Civic Discourse – BRA’s...
Thanksgiving 2012
This Thanksgiving, as we pause to reflect, there are mixed signs of where we as a nation are headed. First for the good news: The presidential election showed more minorities participated in the voting process. The home mortgage crisis that triggered the real estate free fall of price values has seen stabilization and housing...
‘Crime Prevention’ Meeting Draws Standing-room Crowd
In the aftermath of a recent sexual assault and robbery in the neighborhood, the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) Safety Committee sponsored a “crime prevention” meeting Thursday that drew a standing-room crowd. According to Captain Tom Lee of Area A-1, a young woman was walking home on Joy Street at about 3:15 a.m. on...
Police Briefs 11-20-2012
Larceny – Bicycle 11/07/12 – A Grove Street resident reported her pink-and-black Sandracer bicycle was locked to a lamppost in front of her home between 9 p.m. on Nov. 6 and 9 a.m. Nov. 7 when unknown person(s) sawed the lock off and stole it. Incidents Nov. 6 70 Mt. Vernon St. – Towed...
Police Seeking Help to Locate Suspect in Assault
Police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect wanted for a home invasion and sexual assault in the area of Joy and Myrtle streets early Saturday morning. At about 3:15 a.m. on Nov. 10, District A-1 officers responded to a call for a sexual assault. On arrival, police spoke to the...
Local Resident Lorie Conway Produces and Directs Movie
Thirty-two years ago, Robert Mugabe, the great “liberation hero,” became prime minister, then president, of Zimbabwe, the country once called the “bread basket of Africa.” Mugabe’s decade long rule has brought the democratic process into question. In opposition to Mugabe’s rule has brought to the fore human rights attorney Beatrice Mtetwa. Her story is...
New Home for Villa Mexico?
Villa Mexico Café came one step closer to finding a new home in the neighborhood Wednesday when the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) Zoning and Licensing Committee voted not to oppose the restaurant’s proposed move to another Cambridge Street location. Owners Julie King and her daughter, Betsy, intend to relocate the business to the...
Garlands and Green Fundraiser on Weds
Ring in the holiday season tomorrow, Wednesday, November 14, when Tom Kershaw hosts Garlands and Green: a Holiday Gathering. This popular Beacon Hill Civic Association holiday party helps raise the $12,000 needed for the laurel garlands and red bows that magically transform Beacon Hill’s lamp posts. Enjoy live music by local jazz musicians Lisa...