State of the Allston-Brighton Neighborhood: "Turmoil"

The Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation held its annual meeting (for 2006), which was a public event titled, "The State of the Neighborhood."

When the U.S. President gives his State of the Union speech, there is usually a line like: "Today I report to you that the State of the Union is strong." The final adjective is typically a positive one, but may vary from year-to-year.

Outgoing Allston-Brighton District City Councilor Jerry McDermott addressed the attendees at the ABCDC event by offering a less rosy adjective for the State of the Allston-Brighton Neighborhood: "turmoil." He immediately added a positive spin, however, by saying that, for the A-B community, "when the chips are down, they are at their best."

"The universities did something they didn't intend to," McDermott continued, "they got strangers [in the community] talking to each other. Some of the powers-that-be are a little nervous about that."

There was criticism from both the audience and the speakers about the problems faced by institutional expansion in Allston-Brighton. At-Large City Councilor Felix Arroyo called for structural changes at the City level: "We need a planning department. We are the only city in the country that doesn't have a planning department... The people should have a say in planning."

Arroyo is working on passing an ordinance to create such a department, and claims a total of five of the thirteen councilors are already on-board. He advised the crowd as to the importance of city planning and institutional development: "You are about to have an election. I think that is a key question about who you are going to vote for City Councilor.

Councilor Arroyo: "Planning needs to be brought to the people"

The Allston-Brighton TAB reported on the Allston-Brighton Community Development Corporation's State of the Neighborhood event on Wednesday night:

Residents and officials decried what they have said is a development process lacking in transparency and community collaboration. Many were sharply critical of the Boston Redevelopment Authority and its blanket control over development, and calls for a separate planning office were frequent.

“Planning needs to be brought to the people,” said [City Councilor Felix] Arroyo, who is co-sponsoring legislation in City Council to establish a city planning department independent of the BRA.

Allston-Brighton: The State of the Neighborhood 5/23

The Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation is holding its 2007 Annual Meeting titled:

"The State of the Neighborhood"
Wednesday, May 23
6:00 pm: Refreshments and Socializing
7:00 pm: Program

Veronica Smith Senior Center
20 Chestnut Hill Avenue
Brighton, MA 02135

• Hear from and speak with Allston Brighton's elected representatives on issues facing our community.
• Meet the City Council candidates!
• Get information about local agencies, their programs, and services.

For more information: 617-787-3874, info@allstonbrightoncdc.org