Newsworthy Notes: August 21, 2008

Editorial Regarding State of City Playgrounds: A new editorial regarding the state of Boston’s playgrounds is revealing the poor maintenance in some of Boston’s neighborhoods. The writer toured several tot lots, and concluded that playgrounds in the Back Bay, Chinatown, and the waterfront can expect clean, well maintained parks, but those in Roxbury, South Boston, [...]

Developers Claim Hotel Sierra is Still on the Table

The buildings that once housed the bar Talk of the Town and restaurants Cuban Revolution and New Japan have been knocked down, leaving a vacant hole in the ground. So far, nothing has come along to replace it.
Developers of the delayed Hotel Sierra (a moderately priced hotel like many of the other flooding onto the [...]

State to Take over New Lechmere Station

After long delays and nasty court battles regarding the massive NorthPoint development in Cambridge, the state is finally starting to take matters into their own hands.
The state Executive Office of Transportation has said that they will take over the construction of the new Lechmere Green Line station. A new station at Lechmere is critical to [...]

Mayor wants Developers to Prove Financing before Construction

As we speak, there are two major holes in the city’s urban fabric that are the result of stalled development – mostly due to financing issues.
The two specific locations are in Downtown Crossing (the site of the new Filene’s Tower that seemed to be making good progress before it was revealed yesterday that developers were [...]

RFP Issued for Roslindale Substation

The Boston Redevelopment Authority has reportedly issued a Request for Proposals regarding the substation across from Adams Park in Roslindale.
According to the RFP, the BRA is looking for a developer that can successfully maintain the architectural style. Additionally, officials will be partial to proposals that are focused on retail and commercial uses for the site. [...]

Budget Shows BRA Cashing In

In a memo released regarding its 2009 fiscal budget, it was revealed that the Boston Redevelopment Authority also acts as a developer, expecting to bring in money from equity stakes and land and building sales. While the BRA defends its actions, not everyone is hopping on board.
According to the memo, the BRA could rake in [...]

MBTA Plans New $40M Orange Line Station

MBTA and federal transportation officials (including Mary Peters, the US Secretary of Transportation) met yesterday at the banks of the Mystic River and announced that a plan to construct a new $40 million Orange Line next to the Assembly Square Mall.
The location of the new station would be between the Sullivan Square and Wellington stops. [...]