The hotel/high-end condo/office/retail complex proposed for Cleveland Circle ran into a roomful of opposition at a meeting last night. It’s too big, will create traffic and parking problems, and some people just think it’s damn ugly. Boston, and Brookline, will need to sign off before anything gets built.
September 19, 2012
Final reviews on former movieplex
The BRA is holding its final public meeting on the plan to turn the long-defunct Circle Cinema in Cleveland Circle into a mash-up of hotel, retail and residential space. Stop by the Hamilton School, 198 Strathmore Road at the corner of Chestnut Hill Avenue, at 6PM on Thursday, September 20.
September 18, 2012
Someday
Harvard is not in any hurry to let the neighborhood know what its plans for Allston are. There is still a big hole along Western Avenue, and the school/corporation’s vagaries do not inspire confidence.
September 5, 2012
New liquor store, Mexican restaurant seek support
The Brighton Allston Improvement Association’s September meeting is crammed with stuff, including a major presentation for the redevelopment of the old Cleveland Circle movie theater, a new liquor store at 1550 Commonwealth Avenue, and a Mexican restaurant up the road at 1620. More information here, the meeting will be held this Thursday night at 7 PM at the Elks in Brighton Center.
July 28, 2012
New saloon owner looking for support
Mike Conlon, the new owner of the now closed Stockyard Restaurant property, will be attending the Brighton Allston Improvement Association meeting on Thursday, August 2. Also on the agenda are requests to open a massage spa, a medical office and convert a two-family to a three-family.
July 11, 2012
Stockyard has its last roundup
The Stockyard Restaurant, a Brighton landmark for years, has closed. Not much to report, except that employees were notified by phone on Monday. I was a lunch regular, there about once a week or so. Maybe ten years ago I saw former state treasurer (and before that, a Brighton state rep) Bob Crane dining with former Boston mayor Kevin White. I was always treated well there, and wish the staff the best.
June 19, 2012
Over someone’s dead body
The former McNamara Funeral Home at 460 Washington Street, Brighton will be the focus of a BRA hearing tonight, June 19 at 6:30PM, at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 321 Washington Street. The most recent iteration of the plan is to convert the existing structure to four residential units, and build 24 new units behind it. There would also a parking garage and outdoor parking.
June 14, 2012
Build baby build
Local land sites, and plans for their development, will be on the Board of Appeals docket on Tuesday, June 19 at 9:30AM. David Walsh wants to put up a five-unit building at 5-5D Raymond Street, Allston. Looks like he is planning to add the apartments to the backyard. Talk about infill. Munir Faisal is looking to put up a single family home at 46 Gerrish Street, Brighton. He also wants permission to lop off a piece of land at 160 Bigelow and add it to said Gerrish Street property.
Let’s not forget this, the oddly named Charing Cross development at 1501 Commonwealth Avenue. Also up for approval of 55 units.
June 7, 2012
A Subway for Comm. Ave.
The BAIA’s monthly meeting will discuss a request to open a Subway sandwich shop at 1440 Commonwealth Avenue in Brighton. Also on the agenda is a proposal to build a single family home at 8 Gordon Street, Allston. They meet tonight, June 7 at 7 PM, Brighton Elks, 326 Washington Street.
June 7, 2012
Like a train coming through
The train that left Brighton when the Mass Pike was built fifty years ago is coming back. New Balance and the Massachusetts Transportation Department have signed a letter of intent to get a station built.
This is great news, and it is good to see new transportation added in conjunction with such a huge project. Of course, there are those who think what we really need are bars that close at 3AM.
June 6, 2012
New Balance meeting tonight
There will be a meeting tonight, June 6 at 7 PM, at the WGBH facility on Guest Street to discuss the latest New Balance plans, including that train station.
June 3, 2012
3AM closing time fails to reduce crime
A Domino’s Pizza employee was punched, fell and knocked unconscious when a group of five people decided they didn’t like the fact the pizza parlor had no public restrooms. This Allston location was recently granted an extension of its closing hour to 3AM. Thank goodness the company offers health insurance.
June 1, 2012
Next stop: Brighton station
New Balance has filed an updated plan that will make rail aficionados swoon. They are promising to design and build a new commuter rail station. It will be a separate project from the collection of office building, restaurants and a hotel and stadium they aim to build, but be situated nearby.
May 30, 2012
No cows allowed
Allston is about to get a vegan ice cream shop, Nomu (no moo, get it?). The lactose-free emporium will be located on Cambridge Street in Union Square. The neighborhood sure has changed.
Brighton Cattle Yards, circa 1850. Image via Brighton Allston Historical Society.
May 30, 2012
Greening a bit of Allston
Harry Mattison is promoting the initiative by CityRoots to redesign and replant the Everett Street slope south of the Pike.
May 30, 2012
Extinguished
An Allston resident and his friends were doused with a fire extinguisher last night by a carful of drunks.
May 29, 2012
Used records vs. gourmet wines: which is more hip?
The Oak Square space now home to a used record and book store will have a new groove as a fine wine and gourmet shop come September, if all goes according to plan. Currently the space is occupied by Diskovery, whose owner announced earlier this month she will be closing. Too bad she isn’t staying and the new upscale shop moving into another space in the square.
On the hipness scale, does Oak Square move up a notch or is it a demerit? Maybe these crusaders for coolness can let us know.
May 24, 2012
Shortage of 2AM bar closings in Allston remedied
The Avenue Bar & Grill at 1249 Commonwealth Ave. in Allston has won an extension of its closing hour to 2AM. Coverage of yesterday’s hearing by Universal Hub is here.
May 22, 2012
Shrinking bridge
Your options for driving to Cambridge are narrowing. Starting Tuesday morning, May 29 traffic on the Larz Anderson Bridge will be limited to one lane in each direction. It is going to be a tight squeeze. Cars, bikes and trucks will share the same travel lanes. More information on this project is here.
May 16, 2012
No cure for ugliness
St. Elizabeth's Hospital, circa 1915.
What is perhaps one of the ugliest buildings in Boston is about to get bigger. The BRA has approved a three-story addition to the emergency and urgent care building at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center. The expansion will add 23 beds to the current 252. A bit of landscaping is also planned, but it will be behind the new addition. Can’t have greenery disturb the fortress-like structure looming over Brighton Center.
Years ago, when the hospital was seeking another expansion, the architect of the Cardinal Medeiros pavilion admitted he “wasn’t proud” of it. No kidding. (photo via Boston Public Library)