BRA stealing public park in Fenway for private use

Here is another letter I have received from a concerned constituent. I have crisscrossed the city and the citizens are really waking up to how the people have no say over the planning and development of this city. They answer to no one. They have public meetings which are just a dog and pony show, and then do the old bait and switch at the last minute. In the last week alone, I have seen huge discontent at meetings in South Boston, Fort Point, Brighton and now in the Fenway. I will be at the meeting on August 15th at 10 am at 1010 Mass. Ave. I hope that you would to if you are concerned about the BRA giving OUR park land to a private interest without any public comment. I am opposed to this on many different levels. The process is wrong and flawed. The compensation is inadequate if the deal does get done. I am opposed to lessening the Park Space in this city, we need to increase it.

This city continually shows that it is available to the highest, most connected bidder.

Get UP, Stand up for your rights!



DEAR KEVIN,

THE BRA HAS GIVEN ITSELF THE POWER TO TAKE BOSTON CITY PARK LAND ANDSELL IT TO INSTITUTIONS FOR THEIR DEVELOPMENT EXPANSION PLANS.

THE FORSYTH INSTITUTE AT 140 THE FENWAY IS TO BENEFIT FROM THIS KINDOF POWER PLAY. THEY ARE ASKING FOR A LAND SWAP DEAL WITH THE PARKDEPARTMENT THAT WILL ALLOW THIS TO TAKE PLACE WITH NO PAYMENT TO THECITY.

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS THEDEMONSTRATION ASPECT OF THIS PROJECT. THE FORSYTH HAS ALREADY TAKEN PUBLIC PARK LAND TO EXPAND THEIR PARKINGLOT. THIS HAPPENED SOME THIRTY YEARS AGO AND THEY HAD NO AGREEMENT TODO SO. THEY HAVE USED THIS PUBLIC SPACE FOR THEIR EXCLUSIVE USE ANDHAVE MADE TO CONTRIBUTION TO THE PARK DEPARTMENT OR THE CITY IN ALL OFTHIS TIME. THE FORSYTH DOES NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE PILOT PROGRAM, PAYMENT IN LIEUOF TAXES; THUS, THE CITY RECEIVES NO BENEFIT FROM THEIR PRESENTNON-PROFIT STATUS. THE FORSYTH WAS INITIALLY ALLOWED A 501 C 3 STATUSIN ORDER TO PROVIDE FREE DENTAL CLINIC TO THE CHILDREN OF BOSTON. THAT HAS NOT BEEN DONE FOR DECADES. THUS, THE NEIGHBORHOODS DO NOTBENEFIT FROM THE FORSYTH.

IT IS SAID THAT THE FORSYTH HAS MORE THAN $120,000,000 IN AN ENDOWMENT TRUST. THIS MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR EXPANSION PLAN WHICH WILL USE CITY OWNEDPARK LAND WILL INCLUDE LABORATORY SPACE THAT WILL BE RENTED OUT TO PAYFOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BUILDING AND PROVIDE INCOME TO THEINSTITUTION. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS EXPANSION IS A VIOLATION OF THE PUBLIC TRUST ANDMUST BE STOPPED.

THERE IS TO BE A PARK DEPARTMENT MEETING ON AUGUST 15TH AT 1010 MASS.AVE. AT 10 AM. TO DISCUSS THE LAND SWAP ASPECT OF THIS DEAL. IN THEMEANTIME, I HOPE YOU WILL INVESTIGATE THIS AND ATTEND THE MEETING WITH A FIRMLY STATED POSITION; EITHER PRO OR CON. AS YOU CAN ASSUME, MYPOSITION IS VEHEMENT OPPOSITION.