Government & development in Back Bay, Boston

Early voting is open today at Boston Architectural College

Oct 17 · City of Boston →

Hereford Street parking restricted this weekend for early voting

Oct 17 · City of Boston →

Memorial Drive closes for the Head of the Charles Regatta

Oct 17 · Mass.gov →

Mattahunt Woods Discovery Day offers nature activities and Halloween fun

Oct 17 · City of Boston →

City names six selectees for 2026 Community Clean Air grants

Oct 17 · City of Boston →

Motor Mart Garage changes hands on Back Bay–Bay Village edge

Oct 16 · The Boston Report →

Council hearing to consider 10 Zoning Board appointments

Oct 16 · City of Boston →

BPDA board to consider extending Drydock Avenue redevelopment designation

Oct 15 · City of Boston →

Two officers hospitalized after arrest struggle at Blackstone Square

Oct 14 · The Boston Globe →

Boston police report three robberies and six aggravated assaults in 24 hours

Oct 14 · Boston Police Department →

Literacy Task Force reviews draft recommendations today

Oct 14 · City of Boston →

Library trustees to discuss café lease at 8:30 a.m.

Oct 13 · City of Boston →

BERDO board to review building-emissions hardship applications

Oct 13 · City of Boston →

Bay Village Historic District meeting canceled

Oct 13 · City of Boston →

Landmarks Commission to review petition and survey policies

Oct 13 · City of Boston →

Public meeting on proposed cannabis shop at 151 Merrimac Street

Oct 13 · City of Boston →

Boston city services change for Indigenous Peoples' Day

Oct 12 · City of Boston →

Boston plans five free Link Bus routes

Oct 12 · City of Boston →

Wednesday: Licensing Board hears Back Bay business petitions

Oct 11 · City of Boston →

Boston police report preliminary crime totals for Oct. 10

Oct 11 · Boston Police Department →

Thursday: BPDA board meets at City Hall

Oct 11 · Boston Planning & Development Agency →

Boston EMS celebrates 20 EMT graduates and 12 promotions

Oct 11 · City of Boston →

Back Bay Fens pathway work starts Oct. 12

Phase 1 of the Back Bay Fens Pathways project begins Monday, Oct. 12, around the Victory Gardens. Crews will use the basketball courts for staging, but the park will not close entirely.

Oct 10 · The Boston Sun →

Back Bay commission to hear dormer and roof-deck proposals Oct. 14

The Back Bay Architectural Commission will hold a virtual hearing Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 5 p.m. Proposals include a rear-roof dormer at 216 Beacon St. and a roof deck, window replacements and garage-door work at 414 Beacon St.

Oct 10 · The Boston Sun →

MBTA reports Green Line signal upgrades completed during outage

The MBTA says crews replaced and upgraded century-old signals in the central Green Line tunnel during nine consecutive days of around-the-clock access, which ended Thursday. The agency says the work is part of its effort to improve reliability.

Oct 10 · The Boston Sun →

Boston official agrees to plead guilty in pandemic-loan case

Federal prosecutors said Thursday that Reuben Taylor, Boston’s Municipal Protective Services director, agreed to plead guilty to wire fraud in an alleged $20,844 pandemic-loan scheme. A plea hearing has not been scheduled.

Oct 9 · United States Department of Justice →

Farwell trial expected to begin Friday at Boston federal courthouse

Jury selection continued Thursday in the trial of former Stoughton police detective Matthew Farwell, who is accused of killing Sandra Birchmore. Opening statements are expected Friday after jury selection concludes.

Oct 9 · NBC Boston →

Person found dead beneath Green Line train in Brighton

A person was found beneath a Green Line train at Washington Street and Commonwealth Avenue just after 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7. The MBTA ran shuttle buses between Babcock Street and Boston College, and Transit Police are investigating.

Oct 8 · Boston.com →

Police seek suspect in fatal Hyde Park shooting

A man was shot at an oil station on the 1100 block of Hyde Park Avenue Wednesday, Oct. 7, and later died at a hospital. Police had announced no arrest and were seeking video and witnesses.

Oct 8 · NBC Boston →

Fourth person charged in fatal Mattapan shooting

Prosecutors announced Wednesday that a 19-year-old was charged in connection with a June Mattapan shooting that killed one man and injured four others. The defendant was ordered held without bail and is due back in court Nov. 3.

Oct 8 · Suffolk County District Attorney's Office →

Council hearing reviews Boston residential tax assessments

The Council’s Ways and Means Committee meets Thursday, Oct. 8, at 2 p.m. in the Iannella Chamber at City Hall, with remote testimony available. The hearing will examine differences between residential market and assessed values and the city’s assessment practices.

Oct 8 · City of Boston →

Committee considers quarterly revenue reports

The Government Operations Committee holds a remote hearing Thursday, Oct. 8, at 10 a.m. on a proposal requiring quarterly revenue reports to the City Council. Residents can watch online or submit testimony.

Oct 8 · City of Boston →

Public Improvement Commission reviews street and pedestrian projects

The Public Improvement Commission meets Thursday, Oct. 8, at 10 a.m. in Room 801 at City Hall, with remote participation encouraged. Agenda items include curb, sidewalk and cycletrack reconstruction near 471 Commercial Street, as well as pedestrian and street work in Brighton and other neighborhoods.

Oct 8 · City of Boston →

Fort Point hearing includes climate-resilience briefing

The Fort Point Channel Landmark District Commission meets by Zoom Thursday, Oct. 8, at 6 p.m. The agenda includes a presentation on the Resilient Fort Point Channel project, along with proposed window displays and sign work.

Oct 8 · City of Boston →

Boston posts 2026 state ballot questions

Boston posted the Massachusetts state ballot questions Tuesday, Oct. 6, for the Nov. 3, 2026, election.

Oct 7 · City of Boston →

MBTA sets holiday schedules for Oct. 12

On Monday, Oct. 12, subway service will run on a Saturday schedule with no late-night service; buses and The RIDE will use holiday schedules. Commuter rail and ferry service will run on regular weekday schedules.

Oct 7 · WBUR →

City Council meets Wednesday at noon

The Boston City Council is scheduled to meet Wednesday, Oct. 7, at noon in the Iannella Chamber at Boston City Hall.

Oct 7 · City of Boston →

Conservation Commission hearing covers harbor and dock filings

The virtual Conservation Commission hearing is Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 6 p.m. Its agenda includes a Boston Harbor water-line replacement, a dock expansion, and Sail Boston float and ramp filings.

Oct 7 · City of Boston →

City offers free BERDO workshop for condo and co-op associations

The City of Boston and Emerald Cities Collaborative hold a free virtual BERDO compliance workshop Tuesday, October 6, from noon to 1:30 p.m. The session covers emissions requirements and a condo and co-op workbook.

Oct 6 · City of Boston →

Zoning Board of Appeal holds public hearing Tuesday morning

The Boston Zoning Board of Appeal holds a remote public hearing Tuesday, October 6, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Public testimony is available.

Oct 6 · City of Boston →

Police accountability commission meets Tuesday

The Office of Police Accountability and Transparency Commission meets Tuesday, October 6, at 5 p.m. at 2201 Washington St. The agenda includes commission business and Boston Police Department responses.

Oct 6 · City of Boston →

Boston Cultural Council meets online Monday at 5 p.m.

The council will discuss its priorities, planning, arts and culture updates, and the FY27 grant timeline.

Oct 5 · City of Boston →

Monday: Light Up 320 Newbury

The BAC's Light Up 320 Newbury event runs Monday, October 5, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 320 Newbury Street, featuring a projection installation about the building's eight geothermal wells.

Oct 4 · Boston Architectural College →

Boston police log reports no homicides for Oct. 3

The preliminary 24-hour tally, covering Friday at 10 a.m. to Saturday at 10 a.m., listed 0 homicides, 3 robberies, 3 aggravated assaults, 3 vehicle larcenies, 16 other larcenies and 1 auto theft.

Oct 4 · Boston Police Department →

Boylston-Charlesgate closure continues through Monday

The partial closure, which began Friday at 8 p.m., continues until 5 a.m. Monday for roadway reconstruction. One north-south lane remains open; east-west traffic and the Charlesgate West ramp are detoured.

Oct 3 · City of Boston →

Boston police report three robberies and six aggravated assaults

In the 24 hours ending at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, police recorded three robberies, six aggravated assaults, one commercial burglary, two residential burglaries, 20 other larcenies and three auto thefts. No homicides were reported; figures are preliminary.

Oct 3 · Boston Police Department →

Boston to raise Italian flag Oct. 6 for heritage month

The City Council recognized October 2026 as Italian American Heritage Month on Wednesday, Sept. 30. The city plans to raise the Italian flag at City Hall Plaza on Oct. 6.

Oct 2 · City of Boston →

Council backs Boston Medical Center resident physicians

On Sept. 30, the Boston City Council adopted a resolution supporting more than 700 Boston Medical Center resident physicians as they negotiate over wages, health care, working conditions and time off.

Oct 2 · City of Boston →

Fatal crash at Faulkner Hospital prompts building evacuation

On Oct. 1, a vehicle struck and killed a person sitting on a bench at Faulkner Hospital, ruptured a gas main and hit the Belkin House. The crash prompted an evacuation of the affected building.

Oct 2 · Universal Hub →

Council backs study of support for buskers and street artists

On Sept. 30, the Boston City Council agreed to study support for street performers, including outlets, signage, infrastructure and possible paid programs in places such as Copley Square.

Oct 1 · Universal Hub →

Council backs temporary suspension of state gas tax

The City Council adopted a resolution supporting Gov. Maura Healey's proposal for a two-month suspension of the state gas tax as gasoline and diesel prices rise.

Oct 1 · City of Boston →

MBTA camera enforcement begins today

The MBTA's Automated Camera Enforcement program begins today, Oct. 1, affecting Boston riders and road users.

Oct 1 · MBTA →

Public Facilities Commission considers housing land actions

The Mayor's Office of Housing session of the Public Facilities Commission meets virtually Wednesday, September 30, at 10:10 a.m. Its agenda includes proposed transfers of four Norfolk Street parcels to the Boston Food Forest Coalition and an extension for the planned housing project at 40–50 Warren Street.

Sep 30 · City of Boston →

Nor’easter brings flooding and wind damage to Massachusetts

On September 28, the nor’easter continued to bring damaging winds, flooding and power outages across the Boston region after dropping several inches of rain.

Sep 29 · The Boston Globe →

Five-alarm fire damages Roxbury’s Edison Building

A five-alarm fire damaged the two-story Edison Building, which houses several businesses, at 72 Warren St. on September 28.

Sep 29 · Boston.com →

BPL trustees meet Tuesday at Central Library

Boston Public Library trustees meet at 8:30 a.m. in Rabb Hall to discuss budget and vacancy updates, a phone-system contract, exhibitions and public comment.

Sep 29 · City of Boston →

Council hearing focuses on Boston’s fair-housing plan

The City Council’s Housing and Community Development Committee holds a public hearing at 10:30 a.m. at City Hall on implementation of Boston’s Assessment of Fair Housing.

Sep 29 · City of Boston →

Nor’easter disrupts flights at Logan

Logan had 299 flight cancellations and about 280 delays Sunday as the nor’easter brought heavy rain and high winds. Disruptions are expected to continue into the week.

Sep 28 · WBZ NewsRadio 1030 →

Council committee reviews police detectives’ union contracts

The City Council’s Ways and Means Committee holds a virtual hearing at 10 a.m. Monday on FY27 funding tied to two Boston Police detectives’ collective-bargaining agreements. The public may testify.

Sep 28 · City of Boston →

Fair Housing Commission meets at City Hall

The Boston Fair Housing Commission meets from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at City Hall to review minutes, decisions, hearing orders, investigations and operational updates.

Sep 28 · City of Boston →