South End Answers: Is Ellis Memorial Park Open to the Public?
Do you have a question about something happening in the South End? Ask it! South End Patch News
South End Answers: Where Can I Grab Coffee and Access Wifi?
Ask a question you have about the neighborhood and get an answer in this weekly column. South End Patch News
South End Answers: Tree Removal on Columbus Ave
In this week’s “You Ask, Patch Answers” column, where we find the answers to your questions, a South End reader asked about a large tree that was being taken down on Columbus Ave on Friday. “Any idea why they are taking down a huge tree over on Columbus Ave today? Seems unnecessary?” Reader Dave wrote in via Twitter. To find out the answer, I reached out to Boston’s Parks and Recreation Department, which is in charge of all tree removal in Boston. The large tree, an 80-year-old elm, was taken down on Friday at Carter Playground, 709 Columbus Ave., because it has Dutch Elm disease. “The Department hopes that by removing this tree we will prevent other elms in the park from being contaminated,” said Jacquelyn Goddard, a Parks Department spokesperson. “The Department will be conducting routine examinations during the year to inspect the rest of the tree stock to see if other elms remain healthy.” A related reminder to residents and business owners: A hearing must be held for the removal of any street trees in the city. The city issued fines earlier this year to business owners who removed trees without permission. Got a question about the neighborhood you want answered? Submit it in the comments below or email sara.jacobi@patch.com. Each week Patch will pick a question to research and answer the following week. Add your question today! SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
South End Answers: Do You Need a Permit to Sell on the Street?
In this week’s column of “You Ask, Patch Answers,” a new feature where we find the answers to your questions, a South End reader asked about what’s required to sell t-shirts or food on the sidewalk. “Can people on just randomly sell stuff on the sidewalk?” she asked. According to the folks at City Hall, you need a hawker’s and peddlers license to be able to sell anything on the street, whether it’s t-shirts or food. On the city’s website, there’s some information about the different types of mobile vendors allowed, such as the three different types of food trucks and the permits necessary for operating one. Note: There are several, including verification from the city’s Inspectional Services Depatment and the Boston Fire Department, and a statewide Hawkers & Peddlers license that must then be approved by the Department of Public Works. You can read more on that here. Hopefully that answers your question! Got a question about the neighborhood you want answered? Submit it in the comments below or email sara.jacobi@patch.com. Each week Patch will pick a question to research and answer the following week. Add your question today! SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
South End Answers: When Will Blackstone Square’s Fountain Be Restored?
In this week’s column of “You Ask, Patch Answers,” a feature where we find the answers to your questions, a reader asked, “When will the restoration of the fountain in Blackstone Square be complete?” The short answer is: Mid-May. The long answer: Due to the amount of snowstorms this winter, the original timeline for excavation and construction had to be pushed back. The plans call to build a seven-foot square vault under the fountain that will house a new pumping system to filter and recycle water through the fountain. The project’s cost runs somewhere around $ 625,000, but the new pump system will save a significant amount of money in the long run, according to Courtney Troutman, president of the Friends of Blackstone and Frankin Square Parks. Previously the water in the fountain came in through the city’s line, then when right down the drain. “Just the idea of the water going down the drain was terrible, and that was going on for years and years,” Troutman said. “And the cast iron fountain will be restored. Before it was just a little dribble, and I think the whole basin will be filled with water, so it wil be much improved and will be really beautiful.” So there you have it! I hope that answered your question. Got a question about the neighborhood you want answered? Submit it in the comments below. Each week Patch will pick a question to research and answer the following week. Add your question today! SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
South End Answers: When’s the Last Day of School for Boston Public Schools?
Welcome to “You Ask, Patch Answers,” a new feature where we find the answers to your questions. This week, we tackled the question, “When’s the last day of school for Boston Public Schools students??” According to the most recent snow days through March 21st, the last day of school for Boston Public Schools students will be held on June 28th. Any further snow days will continue to push school back a day. Got a question about the neighborhood you want answered? Submit it in the comments below. Each week South End Patch will pick a question to research and answer the following week. Add your question today! SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
South End Answers: When Will the Whole Foods Open?
In this week’s column of “You Ask, Patch Answers,” a new feature where we find the answers to your questions, reader J. Nicole asked via Twitter, “When are we getting a Whole Foods and a Pinkberry? Life’s essential elements.” While I haven’t heard anything about a Pinkberry, there is, in fact, a Whole Foods coming to the South End. I reached out to the team over at the Ink Block development project to find out the most recent project update. “The Whole Foods at Ink Block will be completed in late 2014 and will be the chain’s largest in Boston with 50,000-square-feet of retail space,” said spokesperson Amey Owen. “To keep up with life South End style, Ink Block’s WholeFoods will include outdoor sidewalk café seating on Harrison Avenue, prepared foods and a selection of natural and organic goods.” So there you have it! I hope that answered your question. Got a question about the neighborhood you want answered? Submit it in the comments below. Each week Patch will pick a question to research and answer the following week. Add your question today! SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
South End Answers: What’s Up with the Ice Melt This Year?
In this week’s column of “You Ask, Patch Answers,” a new feature where we find the answers to your questions, reader Robert Rovenolt asked about the ice melt and whether it was a different substance this year in Boston. “[My question] concerns the different snow/ice melt the DPW spread on the streets during the last storm,” he wrote. “It seems like a new substance that is now coating everything…cars, buildings and people when it blows in clouds down the street. It stings the eyes and I’m sure it’s not good for are 4 pawed friends! What’s up DPW?” I reached out to the City of Boston, to the mayor’s office and to the Boston Public Works Department. The mayor’s spokesperson said there’s nothing new or unusual happening with the snow/ice melt this year. “Public Works places salt or a salt and water mixture called brine to the roads,” wrote John Guilfoil in an email. “There are no other chemicals used to treat the roads.” Robert, hopefully that answers your question! Got a question about the neighborhood you want answered? Submit it in the comments below. Each week Patch will pick a question to research and answer the following week. Add your question today! SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch