Calling all JP artists! The city is looking for artists to submit proposals for a public art project in Jamaica Plain's Hyde Square. The $100,000 public art project will be at the intersection of Centre Street, Perkins Street and Day Street in the fall of 2017. The project occur at the same time Hyde Square undergoes a reconstruction that includes increased sidewalk widths, traffic and pedestrian safety improvements, new lighting and landscaping. The proposal is being spearheaded by the Public Works Department, Boston Art Commission and the Mayor's Office of Arts and Culture, in coordination with the Hyde Square Task Force and the Hyde Jackson Square Main Street.
The Haven gained a neighborhood board's support for its goal of getting a full liquor license. JP resident Monica Salas, speaking in favor of the idea, put it simply: "A Scottish restaurant needs to have Scotch." The Public Service Committee of the JP Neighborhood Council met Tuesday in the teachers' lounge at the JFK School. The board voted 4-0 to recommend supporting an all-alcohol license for the 2 Perkins St. pub.
[Editor's note: This report is being reproduced in English by kind arrangement with El Mundo Newspaper, where it originally appeared.]
Business owners in two of Boston’s most Latino neighborhoods, Hyde and Jackson squares in Jamaica Plain, aim to work together to bring in more customers. In two recent sessions hosted by Hyde Jackson Square Main Street and the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corp., a total of more than 30 business owners strategized on how to improve the business environment. Business owners at the first meeting, held May 13 at the Julia Martin House, focused on safety, parking and cleanliness, said Rafael Mejia, owner of Evelyn’s Market and president of the Hyde Jackson Square Merchants Association. Mejia said business owners want to give people more reasons to go into Hyde and Jackson squares. “A lot of people don’t know what’s in the neighborhood,” Mejia said.
The JP Neighborhood Development Corp., known for its efforts at increasing affordable housing, is also an important backer of the neighborhood's small businesses. And the tax dollars that support a key program, Small Business Technical Assistance, aren't in the state Senate's budget (or the governor's, for that matter.)
Alison Moronta, business development director for the JPNDC, issued an urgent call at a Wednesday meeting of neighborhood business owners. She asked participants in a Hyde Jackson Main Street networking session at The Haven to call or write legislators, urging them to restore $2 million to the program. David Warner, co-owner of City Feed, said he'd already contacted legislators. "Our business wouldn't exist without the JPNDC," he told the crowd of about 20 business owners.
Today Hyde Jackson Square Main Street coordinated 31 volunteers to spread fresh mulch on street trees along Centre Street between Jackson Square and Canary Square. Five yards of mulch were used and bags upon bags of trash were collected today. Hyde Jackson Square Main Street takes care of street trees 2 times per year with the next event happening in October.
Hyde Jackson Square Main Street will be holding its Annual Meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2014 from 7:30 am – 9:00 am. Breakfast will be provided and attendees will be able to network with staff and members of the board, residents, business owners, and other members of the community. Attendees will be encouraged to share ideas on neighborhood needs. Hyde Jackson Square Main Street will report to the community about its progress over the last year and its future plans. RSVP to 617-522-3694 or info@hydejacksonsquare.org.
A close-up of the window at Tails, 380 Centre St. It's one of three JP business windows in the running for this year's Deck the Windows contest. A new pizza joint in West Roxbury is running away with this year's "Deck the Windows" city contest for holiday decorating — and leaving JP's three entries in the dust. But that could change if JP residents get clicking in the Main Streets contest. Here's the link.
Merchants in Hyde and Jackson squares are offering special deals every Thursday in December. It's a program put together by Hyde Jackson Square Main Street. For full details on all the specials, please see below. [scribd-doc doc=250413804 key=key-8Cd1x4NpQGCHcGsXHhF5 mode=scroll]
Hello, neighbors. It's your Morning Memo for all things JP for Thursday, Dec. 11. Jueves in the 'Hood: Every Thursday in December, the merchants and restaurants of Hyde Square and Jackson Square are offering special deals and extended hours. It's all part of the "Jueves in the 'Hood" program put together by Hyde Jackson Square Main Street.
