Despite the overwrought adoration – “the talk of Boston” and “bold” and “stylish” – accorded to a plan to put an ugly building that disregarded recently redesigned zoning – the bromance is over. Today the proposal was abruptly yanked from the Board of Appeals agenda, despite the BRA’s previous approval. Seems the developer doesn’t have title to the property, or even a current agreement that will allow him to purchase, depending on approval.
April 9, 2013
Different name, same fights
The owners of the Tavern in the Square, former home of the Kells, found itself in the same position as their predecessor, explaining a series of violent incidents to the Licensing Board. Adam at Universal Hub has the details.
April 7, 2013
Accessorizing in Allston, and other tweets
“Plaid shirt, beard, winter hat, skinny jeans, a man purse. An excerpt from How to Accessorize like Every Dude in Allston.” @sarahiscrazy
“Homeless man just poked me, I am now one with the city.” @Maddiewashere
“When you walk into FroyoWorld Frozen Yogurt Lounge in Allston you feel like you are in Disneyland http://b.globe.com/17bLdWD” @BostonGlobe
April 7, 2013
Barry’s Corner development may include Smith Field improvements
Harvard University’s negotiations with the community continue, with task force members unhappy with the lack of a specific benefits package tied to the Barry’s Corner project. The task force consensus was that renovations to Smith Field be linked to approval of the development.
April 3, 2013
With parking or not, 37 North Beacon plan still alive?
Is the 37 North Beacon development a done deal? I haven’t been able to confirm this, but there is talk that proponent Sebastian Mariscal’s option on the property has expired. A new developer may be in the mix. Either way, this site needs a better designed building that is less dense. The city’s Guest Street planning area, which encompasses this site and big swath of the neighborhood, calls for guidelines for height and size that this proposal ignores.
March 26, 2013
Two more robberies with knives as weapons
There were two robberies involving knives in Allston last week, one successful, one not. Both occurred shortly after 1AM on Thursday, March 21. In the first, near the corner of Glenville Avenue and Harvard Avenue, two men, one white, the other race unknown, made off with the victim’s mobile phone and wallet. The second incident, in the vicinity of the corner of Linden Street and Commonwealth Avenue, was foiled when the victim ran from the three men who were threatening him. One had first asked for a light, but followed up with “Give me everything you got.” After fleeing to the Linden Superette, he met the responding police and gave his report.
March 26, 2013
Russian restaurant hearing delayed
The plans for a 450-seat Russian restaurant at 14-20 Linden Street are on hold for now, at least until the owners meet with Allston Civic Association and the BPD. The Zoning Board of Appeal deferred yesterday’s schedule hearing to May 7, according to Adam at UH.
This expansion almost certainly would require approval from the Licensing Board.
March 24, 2013
95 years old, but who’s counting?
Alice Mills, a long-time volunteer at all three local branch libraries, will be honored by the Friends of the Faneuil Branch in recognition of her dedication and to mark her 95th birthday. For many years, she coordinated ESL learning groups, which she referred to as “Friendly Conversations,” and continues this work at the Honan Allston branch. Her career ranged from a stitcher (and union leader) in a shoe factory to administrative assistant at Children’s Hospital and BU. The party is Tuesday, March 26 from 6:30 to 8PM, all invited.
March 24, 2013
“I don’t want to hurt you, give me everything you got”
A 20-year old student had a knife held to his throat after being knocked to the ground near 21 Quint Avenue, Allston on Monday, March 18 around 7PM. After threatening him with the knife, the two thieves made off with his wallet and iPhone. The suspects were described as two white Hispanic males, both 18-22 years old, one being around 5’9″.
March 24, 2013
Da or nyet? Russian club seeks permit for 450-seat restaurant
The ever-evolving Russian Benevolent Society at 14 Linden Street, Allston wants to become a 450-seat restaurant and lounge with live entertainment, as well as adding a patio that would accommodate 90 patrons. It started out as a private social club, but has gone from that to serving the public three days a week, and last year to a seven-day-a-week operation. Apparently there was a steam room in the building as of 2010, but no mention if this is still part of the operation. The hearing will be Tuesday, March 26 at 9:30AM before the Zoning Board of Appeal in City Hall.
March 20, 2013
Sharing the road, bikes & cars
A spate of injuries and deaths of bicyclists has prompted the city to take a look at the stretch of Commonwealth Avenue between Kenmore Square and Packard Corner. On an experimental basis, Brighton Avenue will be getting enhanced shared bike/car lane markings, according to Boston Bikes. It involves adding signs and markings in phases starting this spring.
I’ve wondered if having bike lanes on side streets where possible, rather than main roads, would make for a more relaxing, and safer, road for bike riders. The few times I have ridden from Oak Square to Kenmore have been harrowing. On a visit to New York I found traveling along Manhattan’s avenues on two wheels was similarly scary, while the cross streets were fine.
March 19, 2013
Dead body found at Beacon Rail Yard
The body of a woman was found on the property last night, according to the Suffolk County DA’s office. The identity of the 29-year-old New Hampshire resident has not been released. The case is being investigated by the State Police.
March 16, 2013
Building approved with parking developer didn’t want
The building originally intended for the carless has been approved by the BRA, but with 35 parking spaces for the 41 apartments, along with two spots for bikes per unit. It will occupy the property at the corner of North Beacon and Everett Streets. The final approval is up to the Zoning Board of Appeals, but is extremely likely. Too bad there weren’t any changes to the size and design. Five storys is too high, and the exterior is just ugly.
The no-parking aspect always struck me as a bit of greenwashing and not a new concept. Commonwealth Avenue and its side streets are packed with parked vehicles from residents of the parking-free buildings that line it. This, despite the B-line that runs up the middle.
March 13, 2013
Menino draws a line on Harvard
After meeting with local residents, Mayor Menino has sided with the Harvard Allston task force on the issue of relocating a number of university services to 28 Travis Street. The city’s position makes approval of the move and construction of future buildings dependent on a number of conditions, described on Boston.com. The school seems inclined to go along.
How about getting the university to sell some of its Allston property? It recently unloaded the Arsenal on the Charles in Watertown. Other developers would be able to move faster, and it would be good to have some balance with not all uses oriented to one owner.
March 6, 2013
Community gives Harvard a ‘yes, but…” answer
The Harvard Allston task force voted Tuesday night to support the plan to relocate the Campus Services facility, but only if the school agrees to move the facility again once the Western Avenue science complex is complete. The building would be home to a number of functions, including managing Harvard’s fleet of vehicles.
March 5, 2013
You could write a book about it
People who made a difference, past and present, are the subject of the new book “Legendary Locals”. The profiles include the Winships and their support for soldiers of George Washington, Olympic gold medal winner Harold Connolly, and present-day state representative Kevin Honan. Bill Marchione, author of “The Bull in the Garden” and a key founder of the BAHS, wrote the foreword.
The author, Linda Mishkin, will have a book signing on April 6th from 1:00 to 3:00PM at the BAHS Heritage Museum/Veronica Smith Center, 20 Chestnut Hill Avenue. She will do a repeat embossing on May 7th from 6:30-8:00PM at the Faneuil Branch Library, 419 Faneuil Street in Oak Square.
March 5, 2013
Allston, today and back in the day
Thanks to Matthew in Boston and the Brighton Allston Historical Society, this collection of photos shows views of places in Allston, today and days past.
Matt’s version is here, Boston.com has the same photos but allows you to slide over an image, giving you a different view of the location.
Hat tip Adam at UH.
March 4, 2013
That train has left the station
The Beacon Park rail yards next the Mass. Pike in Allston are now unused and empty, as shown in this photo. Harvard owns the 91 acres that are occupied by the pike and the rail tracks, which they refer to as “Allston Landing South,” but would need state approval for any development, according to the Crimson article.
Some history of the site, courtesy of the Brighton Allston Historical Society.
March 4, 2013
Another bank, another language
Mt. Washington Bank, a division of the mighty East Boston Savings Bank, has opened a branch in the CVS plaza on Brighton Avenue. Services are offered in several languages, including Albanian. Now that is niche marketing.
March 4, 2013
Why would anyone want to join a BU fraternity?
The party where a BU student was found unconscious and later died was hosted by a fraternity, Sigma Alpha Mu. The chapter has been suspended. It is the latest in a series of serious incidents involving BU frats.