Andrew Square Civic Association
City Councilor, At-Large Erin Murphy Update
"My Team and I have been hard at work, in the neighborhoods, at community meetings, visiting City Departments, supporting organizations, and meeting residents where they are!"
"We care, about the Square"
As South Boston changes, we would like to welcome all our new residents. We look forward to working together to embrace coming changes, yet maintain the close-knit ties that make our community unique. Come join us in building a better neighborhood.
Text
On The Dot
Public Meeting - May 17, 2022 - 6:00 PM ZOOM link below
Neighborhood Cleanup
Working to unite neighbors in our community through physical service, engagement in the clean up effort.
ASCA has just been notified that trees were removed from the Eversource property on Ellery and Boston Streets. The impact of this loss is huge for direct abutters and the Andrew Square neighborhood. As you can see from the following letter, it was done for safety in preparation of upcoming substation upgrades. ASCA will work with elected officials, abutters, Eversource, and City of Boston to mitigate the loss of these trees.
Events
'Boston Park Advocates'
Development News
On The Dot
The redevelopment of 9.1 acres of land located along Dorchester Ave. in South Boston into a multi-building, mixed-use development
323-365 Dorchester Avenue
The redevelopment 5 acres of land into a mixed-use development that will include 4 buildings
Mary Ellen McCormack Dev.
The redevelopment of the Mary Ellen McCormack public housing community in South Boston
Additional Proposals & Development News
Political Corner
Update from Mayor Michelle Wu
City Council President Ed Flynn:
City Councilor Michael Flaherty
City Councilor, At-Large Erin Murphy
City Councilor Frank Baker
City Councilor, At-Large Ruthzee Louijeune
City Councilor, At-Large Julia Mejia
Update from State Senator Nick Collins
Mass. State Representative David Biele
Local Businesses
Cannonball Cafe Grand Opening 12/1/2021 !!!
Cannonball Cafe; the latest addition to the Andrew Square scene. Stop in and try the coffee and delicacies.
Tatte Bakery & Cafe News !
"It’s been a long journey to get to this day! Opened October 20th, 2021! We are thrilled to be a part of the neighborhood and open our cafe in the middle of our bakery space. Come meet our team, enjoy our pastry and food, and sip a latte watching our talented bakers at work."
Meet the bar manager getting creative at GrandTen
"I love people that tell me they hate gin because by the time they're leaving, they're drinking bee's knees and buying bottles of our gin."
Manager's story & website link below
Boston Fresh – 232 Old Colony Ave
“We are working hard and the space is really starting to come together. We are targeting an open date for the second week in May. We will feature our sandwiches, salads and smoothies in the deli area. We have great prepared foods and charcuterie display case. The bar is going to feature great cocktails and wine list with some interactive food items"
Click on a Calendar Event for Info
Online registration coming soon !
If you would like to become a member now, or renew an existing membership:
Click the link below to download the ASCA Membership application
Please fill out completely, and return to Pattie McCormick at pmccormick@bgcb.org Make check payable to: Andrew Square Civic Association
Mail to: ANDREW SQUARE CIVIC ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 455
South Boston, MA 02127
Alternatively; applications and payments will be accepted at all scheduled ASCA meetings
Neighborhood Watch & Public Safety
To enlarge an image; please 'right click' on the image, and select 'open image in new tab'
Boston Fire Prevention Education
Boston Police Safe Exchange Zones
Street cleaning starting soon. Info and sign-up for street notification on COB website. Don’t get fined!
MBTA Service Changes
Winter Update!
ASCA residents, please visit link on snow removal. Also, be a good neighbor and shovel out for your elderly and handicapped neighbors.
Boston To Offer Textile Collection Program
For more info, or to schedule a pickup, please click the links below.
BPD Community Alert:
Detectives Investigating a Series of Suspicious Person Calls in South Boston - February 10, 2022
ASCA Members
Please fill out the survey to help the search committee find Boston’s next Police Commissioner! We have the best Captain, Joe Boyle at C6 - let’s help find the best Commissioner.
About Us
The ASCA has been serving the Andrew Square neighborhood for decades. This association recognizes and affirms the diversity of our neighborhood as the foundation of a healthy, vital, and dynamic community. The mission of the Andrew Square Civic Association is to improve the quality of life in our neighborhood, and serve as a forum for volunteerism, discourse, and cooperation. We work closely with residents, local businesses, and government officials to address our common issues.
ASCA Mission Statement On Development
ASCA’s goal is to address the current quality-of-life and climate change issues in our core residential neighborhood by supporting responsible development. The once industrial area of Dorchester Ave. will bring large scale mixed-use development, and this makes it vitally important that we adhere to zoning regulations in our residential area as they greatly impact our community. We are also conscious of the need to design and develop projects in ways that mitigate the impact of climate change and adapt to future environmental conditions.
WE SUPPORT:
*Maintain the modal setback, and if it has been recently changed, we must provide sidewalks large enough for multiple people to pass, baby carriages/wheelchairs to access. Wider sidewalks also allow for all the barrels on trash day AND space to bank snow in the winter. This also provides room to follow Parks & Rec guidelines in hopes of planting more trees. Second-floor overhangs, and bay windows, have been given much liberty over the past several years and should also adhere to modal set-back as they interfere with pedestrians walking experience during inclement weather. For example, if the modal setback is five feet, a project’s second-floor overhang should adhere to the five-foot setback, not the building envelope. And while our older attached buildings do not conform to required side/yard set-backs, we should not continue to follow this pattern set 75 to 100 years ago when they were built. New construction should adhere to setback guidelines for front, rear and side yards.*Provide adequate parking for a neighborhood that has seen a breaking point when it comes to insufficient parking. Strictly enforce the current ratio of 1 parking space per 1 bedroom unit, and more parking spaces if there are multiple bedrooms. We are open to considering alternative parking options, such as parking lifts, for projects to achieve the desired parking ratios.*Maintain some historical character and stability in the neighborhood by supporting BPDA/ZBA protocol on height and FAR (floor area requirements). These codes were recently update, with MUCH input from the community, and they should be respected.*Regarding open space and trash, it is imperative that projects provide open space as defined by zoning requirements. Personal space (decks/balconies) should not be included in open space calculations. Andrew Square is in a flood zone. We need open/green areas to address: climate change, resiliency and flooding that is already occurring in our neighborhood. Open space is also important to curb dogs, for trash/recycling bins (unless there is plenty of room for these inside a garage). Trash has become a problem in the neighborhood as residents do not have enough receptacles. This has created an on-going problems with rodents.*In general, we do not support large roof decks/decks and prefer smaller balconies preferably inserted in building. However we review outdoor space on a case-by-case basis and our support depends upon the circumstances of a proposed project with location and impact on abutting neighbors.*With the goal in mind of preparing our community for all aspects of climate change, projects should include features that increase our neighborhood’s resiliency to rising sea levels and flooding (as mentioned in reference to open space), lessen the urban heat island effect, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through safe walking, biking and public transportation options.
Andrew Square has done more than its fair share of increasing the housing stock in Boston. ASCA has worked hard with city agencies over the years to identify areas of significant growth on Dorchester Ave, Old Colony Ave., Anne Lynch homes at Old Colony, and more recently Mary Ellen McCormack Housing Development. It is imperative that we protect our residential neighborhood.We look forward to working with all parties, in particular the ZBA/BPDA, to assist us in our efforts to be intentional and support responsible, sustainable development – the type of development that will promote an equitable and healthy neighborhood.
Information from 2020 Boston Census:
Population Growth:
South Boston had 35,660 residents in 2015, 5% of Boston’s population
South Boston grew by 25% from 2000 to 2015, faster than the city’s growth of 10% over the same period.
Vehicles:
70% of South Boston households in 2015 had a least one vehicle, compared to 65% of all Boston households.
The ratio of vehicles to households in South Boston was 1.02 in 2015, higher than Boston’s ratio of 0.91
Pets per household:
While we cannot confirm number of pets per household via 2020 census, suffice it to say there are many households with dog(s).
Data collected from ASCA survey on parking/transportation (December 2020): 65 people responded
6 do not have cars – 27 have one car and no parking – 16 have one car and off street parking – 7 have 2 cars no parking - 4 have 2 cars with 1 parking spot – 3 have 2 cars with off street parking for both vehicles – 2 have 3 vehicles with one parking spot
1 bikes to work - 13 take the MBTA to work – 3 retired
6 residents mentioned prior to covid they took the MBTA, but will no longer do so. – 4 residents commented they will no longer use Andrew Station due to safety issues.
September 2021
Community Anouncement
Proposal For a Retail Recreational Cannabis Dispensary at 558-560 Dorchester Ave. - (The Connection)
***Please Read and Sign The Pettition in Opposition***
Simply Click The Black Button at The Bottom of Page
ASCA Viewpoint
We are not opposed to the business, we are opposed to the location of this business in Andrew Square due to the egregious conditions at this timeAndrew Square is located at the crossroads of “Methadone Mile”, and well known for the numerous methadone clinics, recovery and rehabilitation programs, and homeless centers in the vicinity, as well as the resulting problems residents of the area encounter on a daily basis. It is a site of frequent overdoses, and our neighborhood has seen an increase in crime, including residential break-ins, motor vehicle break-ins, robberies, assault and property damage as a result.Our local businesses have also been negatively impacted as well. Addiction is an overwhelming problem in our neighborhood, and in an effort to combat the issue, we have many social service agencies doing their utmost to assist those afflicted with this disease.As ASCA does recognize and respect that the proponents have every right to garner support for this business endeavor, we feel very strongly that there are more suitable locations.In response to similar requests, we suggest a more densely populated business district as an alternative, where customers may obtain services, and safely return to their residence or business. Sadly, residents of our many small streets and private ways have been targeted by those who sell or purchase prescribed medications illegally. We firmly believe that these businesses should be located away from residential communities, as well as recovery and rehabilitation We do not oppose cannabis (marijuana) dispensaries or the services they provide. However, we feel strongly that a business of this nature would not add value nor improve the area but would only add to the myriad of problems and would likely have a negative impact on those who are trying to overcome addiction.Until the spill over from 'Mass Cass' is cleaned up, we can not entertain a business like this in our neighborhood !!!
Petitions & Surveys
MOAKLEY PARK
Come get to know South Boston’s waterfront park. With ball fields, playgrounds, basketball courts, and water play, Moakley has something for everyone.
In March, we kicked off the Phase 1 Community Process for Moakley Park. Thank you to all who attended. AND there's still opportunities to participate! Phase 1 includes the northernmost part of the park and includes the following areas: Operations and Maintenance Building, baseball field, community plaza, picnic overlook, and a portion of the coastal flood barrier system.
As a next step, share your voice in the future direction of Phase 1 by letting us know how the community would like to use this area of the park in the future.
Please fill out this short survey. To learn more about this project visit our website at www.boston.gov/parks/moakley-park.
South Boston Neighborhood Corporation
Please sign the petitions below. Thank you for your support
Petition to restore Saint Patrick's Day Parade route
Beyond Mobility
Please provide your input to help the 'Beyond Mobility' planning process. Survey link below.
