Category Archives: Boston

Last week the BRA approved a new mixed use residential project that will be one of the city’s largest entirely affordable residences.  The project formerly “The Merano” will be located across from North Station and the Garden. It will include 239 affordable rental units, a 220 room hotel and 220-space parking garage available to both tenants and hotel guests.

The developer also has promised to make a $500,000 contribution to design and build a new park with several hundred thousand dollars dedicated to other infrastructure improvements in the West End neighborhood.  While more affordable units in Boston are needed this is great news and sounds like a wonderful opportunity for the lucky few who can score an apartment.

There is no word on when construction would begin. More details here.

Last week the Boston Redevelopment Authority released a  new report, Boston in Context, which looks at the demographics of Boston’s neighborhoods. My post is largely based upon Boston Magazine’s article about the BRA study entitled Data Shows Who Lives Where in Boston. 

Youngest neighborhood: The Longwood Medical area has the youngest median resident age of 20.7 years old; followed by Fenway and Allston.
Most baby boomers: 18% of West Roxbury has a 65+ population.
Greatest population growth: No surprise here that South Boston Waterfront, grew a whopping 271.1% between 2000 and 2010.
Most educated residents: Beacon Hill, where 88.7% of residents have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Most likely to rent: Chinatown, where 93.3% of residents rent.
Wealthiest: Back Bay where the per capita income is $88,419.77

The Boston 2024 Olympic bid is dead. While a majority Bostonians were opposed to hosting the games I’m disappointed, but not for the reason many might suspect. I had hoped that the planning required for hosting the Olympics would spur innovative ideas on improving our infrastructure and revitalizing parts of Boston. Those opposed to the Olympic bid have insisted this can be done without hosting the games, but I would like to ask when this might happen?  The last time serious investment was made in our infrastructure was when the Big Dig was approved in 1987. That project’s reputation for delays and cost overruns alongside our City Hall’s bureaucracy has stymied any serious redevelopment (excluding the Seaport) and seen little if any investment in Boston’s infrastructure and public transportation system; anyone remember the MBTA’s woes last winter?

As a South End resident promised a Silver Line subway, I’m suspicious of empty promises to invest in Boston’s infrastructure.

To those who insisted that we don’t need the Olympics to invest in our city’s and the region’s infrastructure, I’d like to ask when I can expect to see something tangible? What is it about our current political climate that should make me optimistic?  If only half the energy that was spent decrying the Olympics is diverted to making improvements we should see some wonderfully innovative suggestions and plans coming forward – but for now I’m waiting.

The Boston Public Market
100 Hanover Street at Haymarket Station
Wednesday – Sunday, 8:00am – 8:00pm

The Boston Public Market (BPM) opens later this week as a permanent, year-round, self-sustaining market featuring fresh, locally-sourced food; making it the only market of its kind in the United States.  The BPM includes 35 vendors from around New England.  For the full list of vendors visit their website at, bostonpublicmarket.org/vendors.

In addition to the 35 vendor stalls, the BPM includes a 3,200-square-foot demonstration kitchen, that will offer hands-on cooking demos, lectures, exercise classes, training and community events. The market includes 28,000 square feet of retail space and 325 parking spaces and is conveniently located just above the Haymarket T station for the Green and Orange Line.

In January Boston Magazine’s article The Power of Ideas: Daniel Dain estimated that one needs $800,000 to $1.2 million to open a restaurant in Boston. Is it any wonder the cheap eats in and around Boston are so treasured? Earlier this month BostInno posted an article, Promoting ’24-Hour Neighborhoods’ Through the Power of Great Restaurants to talk about a group of industry professionals who are looking for a few good chef-owned eateries.

Restaurant Investment Group (RIG) was founded in 2013 by people passionate about new and interesting, chef-driven restaurants in Greater Boston.  According to the article “RIG is taking some of the unsure footing out of opening a restaurant, and providing structure where confusion often reigns.”  They will help chefs with the business side of the restaurant industry by leveraging a list of professionals ranging from accountants to PR advisors with the hope that they can contribute to Boston’s dining scene and grow the number of viable restaurants – and to that I say, “Cheers!”