Minutes for TCC Meeting from November 12, 2015

BCNC, 4th Floor. 9:30-11am

Attendees: Sherry Dong, Elizabeth Likovich, Chris Hill, Alexandra Ong, Maureen White, Shifu Wang, David Dower, Courtney Ho, Bet Har Wong-Chan, Annie Chin-Louie, Debbie Chen, Enoch Liao, Helen Chin-Schlichte, Lev McCarthy, Christopher Blackler, Kate Chang, Mark Liu, Kun Chang.

 

Minutes for TCC Meeting on November 12, 2015

I. “Graybar Project” Update. 345 Harrison Ave. – Elizabeth Likovich, UDR Associate

–         Development at former Graybar site

–          577 units

• 25% studios
• 50% 1 bedroom
• 22% 2 bedroom
• 3% 3 bedroom

–          20% affordable – 10% on-site, 10% off-site

• Will be distributed evenly throughout the building

–          270 parking spaces – added parking to address South End resident concerns

–          About 150 feet in height

–          Public courtyard

–          33,500 sq feet of retail

• 5% of retail space will be affordable and there will be an application process for that space

–          Retail ideas:

• Pharmacy
• Coffee store
• Doggie daycare
• Bank

–          Has demolished old Graybar building.  Will start construction in the spring.

II. ArtsEmerson Vision – David Dower, Artistic Director

–          4 performance spaces in the neighborhood

–          Want ArtsEmerson to reflect the diversity of Boston

–          Host Boston Asian American Arts Festival

–          Have three other upcoming Asian American performances planned

–          Community Engagement Tools

• Ambassador Club
  • Take cohorts to watch arts throughout the year and learn about their experiences
• Playreading Book Club
  • Meet artists, cast and read play
• Cast parties

–          Want to include both amateur and professional in these spaces

–          Have community residency curators – community people curate based on their own relationships

–          Artists by contract need to do three community engagement activities

–          20% of seat tickets are available for community engagement partners at large venues

–          David Dower reachable at david_dower@emerson.edu

III. Adult Education Update, Boston Chinese Evangelical Church – Enoch Liao, Pastor

–          BCEC background

• Founded in 1961
• Over 1200 in weekly attendance currently
• Space in Newton and Chinese

–          Objectives for Community English Classes: Survival English, prepare citizenship interview, friendship and support, share love of God

–          2 semesters a year and summer phonics class

–          140+ students, 11 ESL classes, 2 citizenship classes

–          Bilingual classes in Cantonese and Mandarin.  One higher level English only class

–          Applications throughout the semester

–          Cost: $25/semester

–          Once a week, Saturday 9AM-12PM, 14 weeks

–          Students are promoted with the teachers every semester

IV. Announcements

–          Go Boston 2030 – Maureen White

• Boston Transportation Planning Initiative
• Saturday, November 14 12-2:30PM – Chinatown
  • Josiah Quincy Elementary School
  • Dialogue across neighborhoods
  • Childcare and translation available
• Saturday, November 19 – Roslindale

–          Calling for Letters of Support for Chinatown Library

• Go to www.tccboston.org

–          December 6 – Mayor’s Enchanted Trolley Tour

• Mayor and Santa Claus meet and greet

–          Ribbon Cutting for One Greenway (66 Hudson St) on Tuesday November 17 @ 1:45 PM. Please RSVP to Christine Nguyen at christine.nguyen@asiancdc.org, preferably by Friday, November 13, 2015. You will be able to view common areas but not any of the units.