The Stonybrook Neighborhood Association

This is the statement from MassDOT Secretary Richard A. Davey on the selection of the at-grade alternative for the Casey Overpass:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has selected the at-grade alternative for the Casey Overpass, which carries Route 203 over Forest Hills in Jamaica Plain.  The decision was made after an extensive public outreach campaign consisting of five public meeting and 12 Working Advisory Group meetings over a nine-month period.That process has led us to determine that the at-grade alternative reconnects the neighborhood, provides more open space, incorporates more design elements that are pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly, and allows for more efficient bus movements through the area. 

The existing Casey Overpass is in the advanced stages of deterioration and is at the end of its serviceable life.  Moving forward, the design process will undergo a series of steps to reach completion; MassDOT expects construction to begin in October 2013. 

News articles on the announcement:

• Boston Globe: "State opts to replace Casey Overpass with surface roads"
  
• Jamaica Plain Gazette: "Overpass to be replaced by surface street network"
  

The webpage for the 3521-29 Washington Street development project
has been revised to reflect the recent work of the Burnett/Washington
subcommittee. This page now presents the information and ideas
contained in the support packet created by the subcommittee and theupdates communicated at the last SNA meeting.

You can view the page here:
http://www.sna-jp.org/burnett-washington-development.html.

Doyle's back room, 7:00-9:00

Note: the meeting time was mistakenly listed on the website as 7:30--we will start at our usual 7:00 time.

At this meeting, we will report on current topics as well as kick off our effort to improve traffic on our SNA neighborhood streets. Bill Reyelt asked WalkBoston for help and they've obliged by sending Bob Sloane who will give a presentation addressing traffic calming on Neighborhood Streets and other quality of life issues. We've taken note of people's comments on Big Tent and hope to begin to build a letter for Vineet Gupta of BTD with specific requests for traffic mitigation in our neighborhood.

Please contact us before this weekend for last minute agenda suggestions.

Agenda
Intro
Match School Update
Casey Overpass news
Burnett Development Progress
Special Presentation from WalkBoston followed by discussion about calming traffic on SNA neighborhood streets.

"Neighbors still pushing for McBride St. project changes" 

December 2, 2011  
By Rebeca Oliveira  

STONYBROOK—Disagreement between neighbors and developers of a project at McBride and Washington streets continues amid a lack of Impact Advisory Group (IAG) meetings.

Read more...

Join your SNA Neighbors and other park advocates
Because of the recent assault in Franklin Park (see details below), SNA neighbors will be meeting at 6 pm tomorrow, Dec. 1, at the Williams Gate entrance of Franklin Park to walk with other neighbors in support of safety for everyone in Franklin Park. Some walkers will be meeting at the clubhouse at 5:30 and then walking to Williams Gate to meet us. From there we'll continue together to Scarborough Pond after which walkers may continue from there to the clubhouse or return with us to the Williams Gate entrance.  Please bring flashlights. Everyone is welcome -- parents and children are particularly encouraged to participate.

From Christine Poff, Director of the Franklin Park Coalition:
“Most of you have heard about the terrible attack that happened in our park yesterday at 1:30 in the afternoon on one of the paths near Scarboro Pond. A woman was walking with a child in a carriage when a man approached from behind, pulled her off the path and attempted to sexually molest and strangle her. Her screams alerted nearby golfers and the attacker ran from the scene when the golfers arrived. Luckily she is not seriously hurt, but the emotional distress from something like this is not easily forgotten. There has been nothing like this for the last ten years; Boston Police say Franklin Park is one of the safest in the city.

As Franklin Park advocates we cannot ignore the incident. A woman and a park were violated. Please join me and Franklin Park Coalition board and members on Thursday evening for a walk around the golf course loop path. We will walk together in support and safety to witness the beauty and peace of the park, even in the dark, and work to overcome the fear that comes from knowledge of an attack like this.

Meet at the Golf Clubhouse at 5:30 on Thursday evening, December 1st, bring flashlights to light up the night. Women with strollers are most welcome - we will surround and protect you.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the woman who was attacked, please join us Thursday night and spread the word to your neighbors, friends and fellow park users.” 

The annual SNA Holiday Meting/Party is Monday, Dec. 12, 6.30 pm at Akasha Yoga Studio, 14 Meehan St., 2nd floor.  Please bring a food selection and a beverage.  We’ll be having our annual potluck dinner after a quick meeting. Since our meetings are reaching attendance of 50, Anthe of Akasha Yoga studio graciously offered her space for the evening.

A large parcel in the StonyBrook Neighborhood, 3.39 acres, currently the site of Flanagan & Seaton Motor Car Co., is under agreement with a partnership of developers. The SNA is asking each Stony Brook neighborhood resident to become familiar with the project and submit written and/or oral testimony. This project could transform the neighborhood and the developers need to hear from residents.  

More information

This Monday, Nov. 21, will be the final Casey Overpass Public Meeting before a decision is made between the two design alternatives.  It will be held at the State Labs, 305 South St., from 5.30-8.30.  The meeting will start at 6 but you should be there by 5.30 to see the maps of the 2 alternatives.  This meeting will probably be your last chance to voice your opinion about the project so please try to attend if your are able and interested.