Mayor Announces $1.8 Billion Capital Plan
The mayor last week announced a plan to invest $ 1.8 billion over the next five years in capital projects across the city, including $ 1.6 million for a new park near Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in the Charlestown Navy Yard. At a press conference held Friday, May 17 outside the recently opened hospital, Mayor Thomas Menino discussed some of the 341 projects included in the city’s five-year capital plan for fiscal years 2014-2018—projects that will improve and maintain the city’s roads, buildings, technology and play spaces. The five-year capital plan will “create 460 construction jobs in FY2014” and will “transform city neighborhoods, learning, recreation and streets,” according to a press release from the mayor’s office. “Our city draws its strength from its neighborhoods, and this year’s capital plan will make our neighborhoods better for all of the families that live in our city,” Menino said. “The park here at Spaulding reflects my commitment to build a city that works for all of our people, not just some of our people.” The new Charlestown park will accommodate children and adults of all abilities. The plan includes $ 196 million in new project authorizations in 2014, including $ 100 million for city parks. Some of the projects highlighted in the five-year plan include: • A $ 6.5 million overhaul of the playing fields at West Roxbury High School Complex; • The reopening of Flaherty Pool in Roslindale this summer ($ 5.6 million) and soon-to-begin construction on Draper Pool in West Roxbury ($ 3.75 million); • A $ 15 million investment over three years to support Boston Public Schools’ new student assignment plan; • ($ 20.5 million for the construction of a new school at 585 Commercial St. in the North End to serve downtown area families and children, starting in the fall of 2016; • A $ 18.6 million expansion of the Eliot School in the North End; • $ 16 million for design and initial construction on a transformed Central Library in Copley Square, with new children’s and teen spaces and opening up of the Johnson Building to the street by replacing granite with glass; • Repairs to nearly 500,000 sq. ft. of sidewalk across the city, improvements to more than 1,500 pedestrian ramps to bring them up to ADA compliance and resurfacing of more than 20 miles of roadway; • Improvements to Upham’s Corner ($ 4.2 million) and Central Square ($ 6 million), with construction to begin in FY2014; • And $ 1 million for Boston’s first-ever “youth budget,” created by and for the city’s youth. The mayor’s full five-year capital plan and other budget documents can be viewed online […]
District Attorney Conley Announces Bid for Mayor
In a statement sent to the press, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley declared his candidacy for mayor on Wednesday afternoon. “Boston is a great city, and with the right leadership and vision, its best days are still ahead,” his statement said. “So today I am officially declaring that I am a candidate for Mayor of Boston.” In his announcement, Conley said Boston needs to find a balance between the poor and vulnerable, middle class families, and economic hope and mobility, all while staying transparent and accountable. “Boston can only reach its full promise and potential when every one of its residents has a fair chance to reach theirs,” he said. “I intend to put my heart and soul (and several pairs of shoes) into this campaign.” Read Conley’s full announcement here: Boston is a great city, and with the right leadership and vision, its best days are still ahead. So today I am officially declaring that I am a candidate for Mayor of Boston. My entire career has been dedicated to giving voice to the voiceless and hope to the most poor and vulnerable among us. Boston needs to be a city where long-time residents and those fixed on incomes can feel secure, and where middle class families aren’t priced out. It means making Boston a place where younger residents can start careers and families, and where our poorest neighbors can find real economic hope and mobility. To make Boston the city we want it to be requires a mayor who can make tough decisions, even when they offend powerful interests and upset the status quo. It’s going to require a mayor who leads with integrity, for whom transparency is a way of doing business and not just a buzzword, and who will ensure that city government is responsive and accountable to the people it serves. We’ll need a mayor who can manage and innovate in good times and tough times. We’ll need a mayor who has worked with residents and businesses in every neighborhood and has built partnerships with every conceivable constituency. Finally, we need a mayor who recognizes Boston as a city defined not by old divisions and superficial differences but by our shared hopes and aspirations. I’ve done these things. These qualities are the hallmarks of my career and the leadership I will bring to the Mayor’s office. So if you are like me and love this city and want to see it live up to its full promise and potential, then my campaign is your campaign. Boston can only reach its full promise and potential when every one of its residents has a fair chance to […]
WATCH: Mayor Menino Announces His Retirement
After 20 years of serving as mayor of Boston, Mayor Thomas M. Menino officially announced on Thursday he would not seek re-election. Menino, who after two decades is the city’s longest-serving mayor, announced his decision in front of a large crowd of family, friends and supporters at Faneuil Hall’s Great Hall. “I am here with the people I love, to tell the city I love, that I will leave the job that I love,” Menino said. “I can run, I can win, and I can lead, but not ‘in-the-neighborhoods-all-the-time,’ as I like,” he said. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Lynch Announces U.S. Senate Run on Facebook
While Congressman Stephen Lynch (D-South Boston) isn’t expected to make a formal announcement until later this afternoon, a new Stephen Lynch for Senate Facebook page popped up this morning with a link to a “Stephen Lynch for US Senate Announcement” YouTube video that announces Lynch’s Senate candidacy. Earlier in the morning, the Stephen Lynch for Congress Facebook page had posted a message directing people to the newly created Senate page for news “on today’s plans and schedule.” Lynch is expected to make an announcement at 4 p.m. this afternoon at the Ironworkers Local 7 Hall in South Boston. Lynch would be the second Democrat running for the unexpired term left vacant by John Kerry’s confirmation to Secretary of State earlier this week. Congressman Edward Markey (D-Malden) announced his intentions to run back in late December. While there is still speculation that former Senator Scott Brown (R-Wrentham) is showing interest in the seat, there is no official word if he will jump into the race. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch