In a significant development for Boston’s Common, the city has received a $28 million windfall from developer Millennium Partners following the sale of a city-owned garage for the construction of the Winthrop Center tower. Out of this total, $23 million is earmarked for capital projects, while $5 million has been placed in a trust dedicated to maintenance needs. However, to bridge some of the funding gap for various initiatives, the Friends of the Common are looking to mobilize community donations and advocacy efforts.
“There’s always a need for more,” said Meyer, underscoring the importance of financial support to enhance the Common. Meyer highlighted that now is an opportune moment to advance several priority projects that will substantially improve the space.
Renovations are already in motion for the Tadpole Playground, and there are plans for an accessible ramp to the Shaw 54th Regiment Memorial. A major overhaul of the “Mayor’s Walk,” which runs through the heart of the Common, is also on the agenda, along with the urgent need for a permanent restroom facility to replace the existing trailer. The last time the park had a dedicated restroom was decades ago, after the closure of the “Pink Palace”—a structure that has since been transformed into a Flour cafe by the Earl of Sandwich.
Meyer expressed the need for a restroom in the park, claiming it would provide the final essential element for supporting visitors who wish to spend extended time in the venue. She has also stressed the importance of improving coordination with the city’s Parks Department, a position she is familiar with given her 17 years of experience there. One of her aims is to optimize scheduling for large events at the Common’s Parade Grounds, ensuring the park’s recovery time is prioritized.
“There’s so much potential there,” Meyer mentioned. “How do we take what already works well and make it stronger? I was drawn to this position because of the opportunity to build this partnership with the city.”
In another part of Boston, opposition is mounting against the plan to reconstruct White Stadium in Franklin Park, particularly in light of the proposal to support the newly established women’s pro soccer team, Boston Legacy FC. Critics, including Senator Nick Collins, are raising alarms during MBTA board meetings regarding this plan. Collins, who represents Dorchester, has outlined requests to the MBTA regarding the use of JFK/UMass station as a shuttle-bus depot on event days.
Collins voiced concerns that the MBTA might inadvertently endorse a proposal lacking an environmental review that would significantly affect an environmental justice community. In a letter addressed to MBTA general manager Phil Eng and board chairman Tom McGee, he called for a thorough review of the project’s environmental impact, while advocating for compliance with taxpayer protection and environmental justice laws.
Furthermore, Collins has urged the MBTA to assess the fair market value of the “private use” of its assets. He recalled how a similar evaluation concerning a major development project in his South Boston neighborhood resulted in an investment in the MBTA in lieu of private shuttle services.
This tactic represents a new approach to opposing the stadium plan. Critics have also voiced concerns over traffic, parking, and the total financial contribution from the city, which could exceed $100 million. Despite the challenges, Mayor Wu and her supporters assert that refurbishing White Stadium is the best way to revitalize a facility that has long been neglected while emphasizing that student-athletes will have most access to the updated venue.
Eng acknowledged Collins’s feedback, stating that the MBTA needs to engage with the city’s administration on the matter. “This is a city project,” he remarked, indicating a careful approach without overstepping the city’s authority. In an email following the meeting, Eng’s chief communications officer, Gabrielle Mondestin, noted that Eng plans to reach out to the Wu administration to discuss the feedback gathered.
Meanwhile, Asics, a renowned footwear designer, has relocated its Boston office to a historic shoe factory in the Leather District. The Japanese company secured 43,000 square feet in a Synergy-owned building at 179 Lincoln St., which occupies an entire block and boasts a five-story structure. The relocation celebration included an all-hands meeting as executives from Japan visited the U.S. co-headquarters.
Asics made the move from a larger 60,000-square-foot location at 125 Summer St., which is just a few blocks away. The decision to relocate was beneficial, according to Asics executive Barbara Turner, as it not only saved costs but also fostered collaboration by consolidating employees on a single floor. Approximately 200 personnel now work from the Leather District location, while Asics remains open to flexible work arrangements between the office and remote work.
The company’s strategy to deepen its roots in Boston began with the acquisition of the fitness app Runkeeper in 2016, followed by the Summer Street office opening in 2018 to enhance its presence in a city synonymous with footwear brands like Converse, New Balance, and Saucony. “That’s part of the reason why we chose Boston,” Turner remarked, emphasizing the city’s unique ecosystem of footwear companies.
In the realm of philanthropy and community service, Bruce Percelay has taken on a multitude of roles, including chair of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute board and publisher of N Magazine, while leading the Boston real estate firm Mount Vernon Co. Recently, he launched the Nourish Nantucket coalition, an initiative to address food insecurity on the island. Amidst these commitments, Percelay has returned to the Nantucket Cottage Hospital board of trustees to spearhead a significant $50 million campaign dedicated to building employee housing on the affluent island.
Percelay stressed the necessity of the island’s largest institution to provide housing to attract and retain personnel. He remarked, “It’s now incumbent upon the largest institution on the island to provide our own housing, which is essential to attracting and retaining personnel,” as he reflected upon the pressing needs of the community.
Having previously steered a successful capital campaign that raised $120 million to construct a new hospital facility six years ago, Percelay is re-engaging with the board as his wife’s term comes to a close. Retired banker and current hospital board member Chad Gifford encouraged Percelay to return, noting his exceptional fundraising skills and ability to connect with prospective supporters.
Percelay has already initiated discussions with development staff to strategize on potential donors and the most effective fundraising approaches. Despite his commitments, he humorously noted, “My form of relaxation is to sit in board meetings. Let’s just say it requires me to be relatively efficient and not get an enormous amount of sleep.”
image source from：bostonglobe
