Government

New Playground Proposed for Jackson Square, Would Use Community Preservation Funds

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Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and the Community Preservation Committee has proposed building a new playground in the Jackson Square neighborhood. The proposed new playground would cost an estimated $498,000 and be adjacent to the Martha Eliot Health Center, Mildred C. Hailey Apartments and near Jackson Square businesses, according to a city press release. The project was one of 56 across the city, totaling more than $34 million, that would use Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding. The committee voted in support of the 56 projects on Feb. 11, and the Boston City Council is expected to approve the proposals in March.

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Transportation

Better Bus Project Includes 47 Proposals to Existing Routes, Including Combining 34/34E

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It's been close to a decade since the MBTA made significant changes to its bus network, but changes are coming, and they'd like to hear from you about the proposed changes. The Better Bus Project was created to provide "long-overdue changes" to "update and modernize existing routes." The goal is to create a bus network that will provide more frequent and reliable service, as well as better connect riders to today's Greater Boston area. There are 47 proposals that would affect 63 routes, but there is only one major one that would affect bus lines servicing inside of Jamaica Plain. There is a proposal to combine the 34 and 34E bus routes into one route. The proposed line would include new service to Legacy Place.

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Elections

David Halbert Running for Boston City Council At-Large

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The field for this year's at-large Boston City Council election continues to grow with a wealth of viable candidates. Mattapan's David Halbert is one of those candidates. While Halbert doesn't live in JP, he does have a strong connection to the neighborhood, having been the Jamaica Plain liaison for former District 6 City Councilor John Tobin. Halbert also previously worked for At-Large Boston City Councilor Sam Yoon, as well as Governor Deval Patrick. Currently, Halbert is the deputy director of community affairs at the Middlesex County Sheriff's office.

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Transportation

Councilor Wu Wants You to Sign Petition to Oppose MBTA Fare Hikes…And She Wants a Fare-Free T

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At-Large Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu regularly takes public transportation (often with kids in tow). So the MBTA's proposed fare hikes really strike a personal chord with her -- and she has created a petition asking for people to oppose the fare increases. "We oppose the proposal to raise MBTA fares. The proposed 6% fare hike would place an undue burden on residents already struggling to meet transportation-related costs, totaling an unaffordable 41% increase in MBTA fares since 2012. The increased costs would push more commuters to drive, undercutting our most urgent goal of increasing transit ridership to ease congestion, limit air pollution, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions," wrote Wu in the petition.

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Government

Poll: Should Boston City Council Terms be Two or Four Years?

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Stop us if you've heard this before. The Boston City Council voted to change the length of their terms from two to four years. Back in 2016, the council voted 12-1 to change term limits, with only At-Large City Councilor Michelle Wu voting against it. On Wednesday, the council voted 11-2 in favor of changing their own term limits, with Wu once again voting against it, as did District 7 City Councilor Josh Zakim. Councilor Wu regularly provides recap notes on all Boston City Council meetings and provided insight into why her colleagues supported extending terms, as well as why she and Zakim voted against it. "Several councilors had stated at the working session on Monday and on the council floor today that having a longer term would strengthen the council as a counterweight to the mayor’s office, and it would save the city money by eliminating the need to run a citywide election in the non-mayoral odd year," wrote Wu.

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