MARKING OUR MIDPOINT & CELEBRATING SUSTAINABILITY ON THE GREENWAY
Since the beginning of the Greenway BID, abutters have been essential partners in creating and ensuring an attractive and vibrant experience on The Greenway and in the BID district for workers, residents, and visitors to downtown alike. Now, as the Massachusetts prepares to move into Phase 4 on March 22 and our “new normal” begins to emerge, Greenway BID members will continue to be critical stakeholders, providing sustainable funding and thoughtful counsel that support the 1.5 mile park system curving through the heart of Boston and all who enjoy it.
 
As we approach the reauthorization of the Greenway BID and its second 5-year term slated to begin in 2023, we would be remiss if we did not take a moment to thank and honor those who were pivotal players in the BID’s formation but are bidding our city adieu: soon-to-be former Mayor Martin J. Walsh, former MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack, and the soon-to-be former Executive Director of the Greenway Conservancy Jesse Brackenbury. While we know each will keep The Greenway and passion for placemaking in their hearts, Boston’s loss is certainly Washington, DC and New York City’s gains; we wish them the best in their new roles. Our city is evolving at a rapid clip and the Greenway BID will continue to remain engaged in thoughtful planning and placemaking, consensus building, and civic engagement that is critical for the future of The Greenway, the City of Boston, and the Commonwealth.

If you have any questions or feedback on this newsletter, please contact Tom Ryan at [email protected].
LATEST NEWS
BID Board & Enhancements Update
The Greenway BID Board of Directors met in February to review updates from the BID’s various committees and consultant teams, vote on nominations and enhancement authorizations, and receive updates from the Greenway Conservancy on its search for a new Executive Director as well as future challenges and opportunities along The Greenway.
 
The BID Board authorized $72,000 in enhancement funds for the removal of the granite hills and the repair of the safety surface beneath the plaza playcubes in Mary Soo Hoo Park - placemaking and safety improvements that will enhance the aesthetics and address safety issues in this important area. Read more about the upcoming renovations on The Greenway supported by the BID as shared in Sampan here.
 
BID Board members also submitted Steven Wright’s name to the Nominating Committee – he is slated to become the new BID Board member representing the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston pending approval from BID members at the annual meeting later this year.

Midterm Review Briefing Collateral Available for Download
The establishment of a BID remains an essential chapter in the history of The Greenway, an area transformed from an elevated highway into treasured greenspace that benefits the entire region. Everything that happens on The Greenway and the future of this special piece of the public realm benefits from the support of Greenway BID members. By contributing to The Greenway through a stable, streamlined process, abutters help ensure these 17 acres of greenspace in the heart of downtown remains vibrant, providing the opportunity for forward-looking vision – click here to download a designed midterm review briefing document in support of engaging civic leaders, community groups, and other stakeholders who benefit from your support of The Greenway. 
Calls for Bids Issued: MassDOT's Parcel 25
MassDOT and the City of Boston are calling for bids related to the future development of 1.4 acres on Kneeland Street, public land to be redeveloped two blocks from South Station and within the boundaries of the Greenway BID district. You can find out more information about the parcel and the bid process here and coverage of the announcement in the Boston Business Journal here. 
GREENWAY CONSERVANCY NEWS & EVENTS
A Continuing Search for the Conservancy's Next Executive Director
The Greenway Conservancy retained Isaacson, Miller in support of the search for its next Executive Director. The Executive Director will take the reins of this 15-year-old enterprise as it emerges from its formative adolescence into an iconic symbol of a new, vibrant Boston. The Greenway—notwithstanding the impact of the pandemic—has become a richly landscaped and vibrantly programmed park that those who live and work nearby, as well as visitors, have come to rely on and enjoy. Lisa Savereid is leading this search with Chloë Kanas, with support from Marianna McMurdock. Read more about the search here.
 
Executive Director Jesse Brackenbury was named President and CEO of The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation in New York last year. Jesse, who joined the Conservancy in 2009 and has led the organization since 2013, will remain at the helm of the organization until April 2021 as a national search is for a new Executive Director continues. We wish Jesse the best in his new role and remain grateful to him for his work to enrich downtown and engage visitors of The Greenway.
Celebrating the Year of the Ox on The Greenway
The Herd, from local artist Andy Li, continues the annual curation of sculptural installations celebrating the twelve years of the Chinese Zodiac in Auntie Kay and Uncle Frank Chin Park on The Greenway. Li’s text and fiber-based installation, reflects on the Year of The Ox by channeling its most prominent zodiac attributes and the Ox’s ethic of perseverance. Li created a series of artistic text banners, each containing a different inspirational message, such as “Where There's a Will There's a Way,” in both English and Chinese. The artwork was attached to the bright red bamboo structures in Chin Park in early February just ahead of the Lunar New Year and will run through January 2022.
Each year since 2015, with the aim of celebrating both past and present, a new Chinese Zodiac-based artwork was commissioned by the Greenway Conservancy for Chin Park. The installation’s goal is to celebrate the culture, history, and traditions of the Chinese New Year and the Chinatown community through the ideas and expressions of contemporary artists. Past zodiac curations have included Elliott Kayser’s ceramic pig sculptures, Year of the Pig (2019), Risa Puno’s community storytelling abacus, Year of the Dog (2018), Chis Templeman’s 3D-rooster printer Make and Take (2017), Don Kennell’s 12-foot Monkey See (2016), and Kyu Seok Oh’s paper-mache Wandering Sheep (2015), which received a Public Art Network Award through Americans for the Arts. More about the installation via GBH Open Studio and the Bay State Banner.
 
Track What's Blooming on The Greenway
Last September, in partnership with WorkReduce, the Conservancy launched The Greenway Interactive Bloom Tracker, letting visitors locate and learn more about flowering perennials across the park. Visitors can see which Greenway flowers are typically in bloom during any time of the year, in addition to names of and details about each species. This interactive map graphs more than 300,000 data points and over 800 varieties of plants.

Greenway Gala
Please join the Greenway Conservancy on April 15, when The Greenway's community of supporters will come together to usher in a bright, new 2021 park season and raise vital operating funds for the work of the Conservancy.

During this 1-hour, online event hosted by Bloomberg Anchor/Reporter Janet Wu, we will celebrate The Greenway’s unique impact throughout the pandemic and recovery, get an exclusive preview of the 2021 public art exhibition directly from the artist, and celebrate the accomplishments of departing Executive Director Jesse Brackenbury.

 
For the latest updates on The Greenway and the activities of the Greenway Conservancy, you can explore the Conservancy’s calendar and, for those near and afar, the Conservancy is sharing The Greenway’s story digitally for our friends and supporters to bring The Greenway home, including a series of online webinars, blog posts, and videos.