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 4, 2013

Former Minihane’s site proposed for housing and retail complex

The property at the corner of Washington and Parsons Streets in Brighton Center may be transformed into a complex that would incorporate the existing home at 10 Parsons. Except for that house, the bank and the old Minihane’s Florist building would be demolished. More details at Boston.com.

April 3, 2013

Fight club, female edition

Several disagreements ended in fights last week. Among them:

A dispute over something, perhaps the alleged theft of what one lady claimed was a $70,000 engagement ring, erupted outside the Brighton Brighton Beer Garden on Friday, March 29. The incident began when the two women were outside smoking, and the victim dropped the ring when she was took it off to show the other. Somehow it disappeared, leading to fisticuffs. The police arrived, spoke to both women and a witness/friend of the victim, and searched the suspect. The ring was not found, despite a search of the area by the police. Perhaps they weren’t looking too hard since the victim had directed a obscenity laced tirade at them.

Also on the 29th, an argument between two women over stolen drugs went from words to fists at 40 Atkins Street. After smacking the victim in the face multiple times, she fled but returned a short time later. By that time an ambulance had arrived to treat the victim, and officers were not inclined to let the suspect hunt around for her missing drugs and keys. Despite being told to call it a night and head home, she left only briefly and returned again. Again she was told to leave, again she departed but wasted little time before heading back toward the apartment. At that point she was arrested after screaming “I’m going to kill the f’ing bitch!” The booking process turned up two outstanding warrants, both for failure to perform jury duty. Probably just as well she wasn’t part of the jury pool.

Finally, officers broke up a twelve person brawl involving guys and at least one woman at 51 North Beacon Street at around 4AM on Saturday, March 30. Three were arrested and charged with affray.

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.

April 2, 2013

Naked to get Thai makeover

The Bangkok Bistro wants to move to the site that Naked Pizza occupied for a few months and has been empty since early last year, except for a short stint as Elizabeth Warren’s local campaign office. Right now the restaurant operates in Cleveland Circle, the proposed location is 344 Washington Street in Brighton Center.

Other than that, it looks to be one of the quieter meetings at the BAIA this Thursday, with only a presentation from the Allton Brighton Community Development Corp. and the monthly report from the BPD. More meeting details here.

ADDITION: I omitted that at-large city councilor and possible mayoral candidate Felix Arroyo will also be speaking at the meeting.

March 31, 2013

Cleveland Circle Hotel/Condo project revised again

Plans for a hotel, apartment and retail complex on the site of the long-closed Circle Cinema site have been altered once more in an attempt to win approval for the going-on-two-years effort, according to Boston.com. Since the property spills into Brookline, both municipalities get a say. The BRA is hosting a meeting this Wednesday, April 3 at the Hamilton School, corner of Chestnut Hill Ave. and Strathmore Road.

March 28, 2013

Menino’s most important win

The most important election Tom Menino ever won was capturing the office of City Council president in 1993. Later that year, he gained the mayor’s office when Ray Flynn resigned to become the US ambassador to the Vatican. It put him in a strong position for the special election that he won later that year. Of the twelve other councilors then serving, only Charles Yancey remains on the council. No doubt he is writing a congratulatory resolution saluting hizzoner right now. Jim Kelly, Dapper O’Neil, Bruce Bolling and Tony Crayton have passed on, while others are now retired, serve in other government postions or work in the private sector. Maura Hennigan ended up as Clerk Magistrate of Suffolk Superior Court after losing badly to Menino in 2005. Bob Travaglini progressed to president of the Massachusetts Senate. Rosaria Salerno settled in as city clerk after coming up short in her bid to become mayor in the same election that removed “acting” from Menino’s title. She is now retired.

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

BPD take a breather from BU parties, break up BC bash

Taking their cue from the partying habits of BU students on Ashford and Pratt Streets in Allston, well over one hundred BC undergrads crammed themselves into the basement and backyard of 16 Gerald Road, Brighton on the evening of March 16. Police responded to a noise complaint and ended up seizing a couple of beer kegs. The crowd made a fast exit once they realized the BPD has arrived. The 2-family house is owned by Richard Cohen, who lists that as his address although he does not get the owner-occupant tax exemption.

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 20, 2013

Plow damages 20 cars on Comm. Ave.

Car owners suspect a city of Boston plow was responsible for damage to twenty vehicles along Commonwealth Avenue near BC. The cars were hit Tuesday night.

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.

Building approved with parking developer didn’t want

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 11, 2013

Back in the day, seems everyone was taking pictures of Brighton

Boston.com is featuring two sets of photos, one of Brighton that compares the same sites today and in years past, and another of Cleveland Circle that illustrates past photography and future plans.

Kudos to Charlie Vasiliades of the BAHS for putting together the Brighton series.

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