Tag: Elizabeth Breadon

  • ACA Hosts Meet-the-Candidates Event Ahead of Municipal Elections

    Ten candidates for the Boston City Council gathered at the Honan-Allston library for a two-hour meet-and-greet hosted by the Allston Civic Association (ACA) on Wednesday.

    Both candidates running for District 9 City Councilor, incumbent Elizabeth Breadon and Pilar Ortiz, and all eight prospects for City Councilor At-Large were present at the event. 

    Kin Chow and Mike Dorgan, both longtime residents, came to learn more about candidates’ stances and priorities before the Nov. 4 elections. Both said they were looking for people who could deliver fresh ideas. “I would also say somebody that is willing to challenge, but in a positive way,” Dorgan said. “It’s a challenge not for the sake of getting on a soapbox and making noise. It’s somebody that’s challenging because maybe there’s a better way of doing it.”

    Speakers inspired others to consider a future in local politics. “I was really appreciative of the fact that they all dedicated their time to speak to their constituents and talk about issues that matter,” said Jesse Liu, an aspiring public servant. “It just shows that these candidates care about their job in the city of Boston.” 

    Candidates said they appreciated the smaller scale and location of the meet-and-greet. “We got to spend a little bit more one-on-one time with folks,” said City Councilor At-Large Julia Mejia. “And I think that afforded us a better opportunity to connect with people.”

    City Council President Ruthzee Louijuene said libraries bring her joy. “Libraries are a public good,” she said. “Everyone can use them, whether you’re rich, or you don’t have anything.”

    The ACA sponsored the event, which has become a tradition in the community. “One of the missions of the ACA, of course, is to build community […] and it’s challenging,” said D’Isidoro, the association’s president. “There are a lot of people that come and go in our community, and so it’s very difficult, from a civic standpoint, to try to get people engaged and take interest in the community.” 

    Chow, a 30-year Allston resident, said that after the ever-present issues of housing and transportation, the idea that captured her interest was something more fundamental — elevating Allston-Brighton’s place in city government. In terms of city spending, the neighborhood placed last in the most recent budget, despite having the second largest population. The disproportionate investment in Allston has been a rallying cry in the neighborhood’s campaign for a new children and family community center.

    “I don’t want Allston-Brighton to be in the back seat anymore,” said Chow. “We have never been the priority in the city council, and I would like us to be a priority.”

  • After Delays, Allston Post Office Development Plans to Proceed

    After years of delay, Allston’s Post Office is slated for reconstruction by the start of next year.

    The original Allston Post Office closed after a record-breaking North American Blizzard dropped nearly two feet of snow, exacerbating its structural issues. In 2021, Eden Properties, a developer, purchased the site and planned to build a new mixed-use building. Within their plan included a space for a new post office. In addition, the developer proposed 170 housing units as well as a parking garage with 58 spaces.

    In the four years since, however, plans to reopen the space ran in fits and starts. Earlier this year, after persistent petitioning by local residents, The Harvard Crimson reported that construction was slated to begin by the summer. Eight months later, the site is still inactive.

    According to Lizzie Torres, an Allston resident working in housing policy, the delays are attributed to difficulties navigating the city’s approval process. She says that access to the sole post office is crucial for folks in the Allston area, especially considering its high population of renters, who frequently move around. 

    Optimism is beginning to tinge conversations about the prospects for the post office.

    “I’ve spoken with the developer, and they are […] ready to start demolition on the old building,” says Allston-Brighton District Councilor Elizabeth Breadon. “They’re sort of starting out the final details for the requirements […] for a retail post office on the side as well as with the United States Postal Service.” 

    Breadon said the Boston City Council believes it is in a good position to advance the project, but USPS staff cuts have complicated the process. Both Torres and Breadon said in the past, the main reason for the delay was worrying about funding for the project, including rising interest rates, tariffs making materials harder to buy, and construction loans.

    Allston resident La’Femme Bolden says that  the lack of a neighborhood post office is an inconvenience and extra costs that present an unnecessary burden for residents. She says that residents have had to travel to Cleveland Circle or the Brighton Post Office.

    However, the impasse may be coming to an end.

    Breadon said demolition is supposed to start this fall, with reconstruction beginning next year.