Home for Little Wanderers | 161 South Huntington Ave | Jamaica Plain

Josie Gruner

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Does anyone have a sense of how long the lawsuit will take between Boston Residential Group/Home for Little Wanderers and the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood?

Does this lawsuit have the potential to torpedo this project?

Thanks!
 
My understanding at this point is that this lawsuit is an appeal of the grant of a Motion for Summary Judgment that dismissed the original complaint due to lack of standing to file suit (ruling that the JPNCs participation in the BRA's Impact Advisory Group did not make it a 'municipal board' with the authority to challenge zoning decisions, see http://jamaicaplaingazette.com/2013/06/21/jpnc-to-appeal-lawsuit-dismissal/ and the decision itself at http://www.scribd.com/JPGazette#sthash.hMFve02e.dpuf).

The most recent spat was over whether the JPNC had to post bond during this appeal process to cover delay costs to the developer. http://jamaicaplaingazette.com/2013/08/30/no-bond-needed-for-jpnc-lawsuit-appeal/

In any case, what you need to know is: (1) this appeal is of a gateway issue (can the court even hear the merits of the case), (2) if the appeal is granted, then the case will be remanded back to the trial court to hear the case on the merits of the claim (that it cannot be constructed because the municipal board did not approve the project), (3) the decision of the actual case is also subject to appeal, (4) if the appeal is dismissed, that would likely end the litigation, (5) litigation can always torpedo projects (if even just by delaying them for too long / running up legal costs), (6) I believe the appeal was filed in July and wouldn't expect resolution until next summer.
 
So this one is about to start being demolished I guess:

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However, I don't think there has been any update as to the status of the Goddard house next door:

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Also wish the feds would do something with these parking lots:

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So this one is about to start being demolished I guess:


IMG_0089 by greg.miao, on Flickr


IMG_0092 by greg.miao, on Flickr


IMG_0091 by greg.miao, on Flickr


IMG_0090 by greg.miao, on Flickr

However, I don't think there has been any update as to the status of the Goddard house next door:


IMG_0095 by greg.miao, on Flickr

Also wish the feds would do something with these parking lots:


IMG_0094 by greg.miao, on Flickr



Better?
 
They recently built that garage, it's not going anywhere. Sadly.

Why do hospitals make for such horrible neighbors?

(random note, my gf used to live right down the street)
 
They recently built that garage, it's not going anywhere. Sadly.

Why do hospitals make for such horrible neighbors?

(random note, my gf used to live right down the street)

Oh I saw the consturction (I live a bit further down off Centre), I just wish they would do something with two surface parking lots facing the road.
 
Wow, Hutchinson, you and I posted about 161 within a minute of each other after months of inactivity on the project. Of course I posted in the wrong thread and had no pics to back me up but that's still some damn good ESP!
 
FYI: The old Goddard House nursing home at 201 South Huntington is for sale again. Being marketed as a historic rehab for apartments (63 units with a potential for 20-30 more). I'm supposed to tour next week and will try and get some pictures
 
Wow, Hutchinson, you and I posted about 161 within a minute of each other after months of inactivity on the project. Of course I posted in the wrong thread and had no pics to back me up but that's still some damn good ESP!

Hehe, when i first saw you posted in the other thread, I was like "Oh noes, maybe I should go delete the pics/post"
 
^ Nah you're right. I forgot a break-off thread was created.

Anywho, I was looking into something completely unrelated and came across this 1984 Mission Hill survey and planning grant that catalogs all the important buildings of the neighborhood, and sure enough there was an entry on this structure:

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Link: https://archive.org/details/parkerhillmissio02bost
 
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Mission Hill has been producing some good destruction porn lately.

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It hasn't been a good month for preservation in this neighborhood with this demolition as well as the new hole in the ground around the corner on Huntington Ave.
 
JPNC is making a power grab:

Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council
March 25, 2014, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Farnsworth House, 90 South Street

From the Meeting Agenda:

Vote whether to adopt the following resolution:

WHEREAS there are numerous transportation, public safety, development and zoning issues confronting residents and users of, and businesses in, the Forest Hills area; and,

WHEREAS these issue arise amidst the sometimes conflicting interests of MassDOT, DCR, the MBTA, relevant city of Boston departments, the BRA and the residents and users of, and businesses in, the Forest Hills area; and,

WHEREAS, the JPNC has the experience and expertise to represent the interests of the residents and users of, and businesses in, the Forest Hills area;

NOW THEREFORE, the JPNC, as a committee of the whole, and relying on the experience and expertise of both its Housing & Development and Zoning Committees, shall take a leadership and coordinating role in responding on behalf of the communities and neighborhoods affected by these complex issues and in the resolution of them in the best interests of all concerned.
 
What, if anything, is being preserved here? The old masonry buildings are beautiful - I hope they're leaving at least something...
 
Slightly off-topic, but the VA hospital looming in the background of the demolition photos makes them even more depressing. It's a shame that the VA can't afford to modernize their facility from the 1950's vintage structure they have.
 
That hospital on S. Huntington no longer has inpatient beds; it probably has lots of unused space.
 

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