The Southie effect…
If any of you have driven around Southie lately one thing that really stands out besides the burb baby posers is the obscene amount of over development. The buildings seem to have been conceived by architects to appeal to its ultra douche residents who may rather live in the Hollywood Hills instead of being complementary to the history of South Boston. Let’s face it, builders build, it’s how they make money. The city issues permits and collects big fat checks to let those builders build. But, the last administration didn’t do a good job from a planning/engineering perspective to account for infrastructure….and preservation seems to be a void in some cases. Boston is only so big, and with so many trying to occupy a very small area you have a virtual powder keg when you consider shortfalls in areas like public safety and parking for this influx of yups.
Well, it was just a matter of time before eyes were set on your beloved streetcar suburb of Dorchester. I happen to think Dot was perfectly planned many years back and functions fine as is.
Proper respect and proactive policies should be in place to protect those who decided to stay in Boston even after the effects of busing. Many of the children of those who fled are making their way back and pricing out those who stuck it out. Progress is always welcome but, bolting when times got hard then showing up when things get rosey tends to create a smidge of resentment among Bostonians. Let’s be honest – it should not cost a family $2000 bucks a month plus utilities to rent an apartment in a Fields Corner triple decker. Not everyone works at Fidelity or has a trust fund. And leading a simpler life should never be looked down upon as long as it’s honest.
Dorchester Tire and 991 Morrissey Blvd are looking to test the water. How will Dot respond? It’s worth having the conversation while being mindful of lessons learned from the Southie effect.
First off I’m typing this on my phone so let me appoogize for any grammatical errors up front. Second, a very nice artical, a good read but then again they usually are. I make it a point to NEVER weigh in on what Boston should do,who they should vote for, and the like. Nobody wants to listen to what comes out of my pie hole, I no longer reside in Dorchester so my opinion means nothing. I wish more people who live in Arlington, Wellsey, and Dighton felt the same way when they write editorials to the local papers, telling Boston people they should do. Having written that, I will not apologize for wanting my children the opportunety to attend nieghborhood schools, something that was not afforded to my wife and I, or the rest of our generation. My parents, and aunts and uncles stayed, they did not move out. I haven’t found any negative side effects from their decision, quite the contrary, I was surrounded by a loving family, great friends and a great nieghborhood . I wouldn’t have changed a thing. I have three more years to try and convince my wife when when my son gets out of high school to move back. I hope if I’m successful in my endavor that we come back to the same people we left less that half our lifetimes ago, Be well.
Great points Jim!
The fattest checks are those written to the campaign funds of our elected officials, who then use the money to support their fine dining habits, in exchange for supporting variances for all the “good guys” who need them. The Morrissey proposal is a fine example where we have a towel head speculator trying to turn Dot into Allston, never mind Southie. Stick together and fight people, or kiss it goodby real soon.
Good article..good response!!