October 21, 2023
I was told about an important meeting that took place outside the Dunkin Donuts in Andrew Square pertaining to the awful impact construction projects were having on local businesses. Following is an initial report of my knowledge of the harmful effects of these construction projects and other matters related to the movement of vehicles through our city streets.
Manuela Misiak is a resident of the Andrew Square area and is familiar with many of the small business owners in the area and she attended the meeting and will be attending further meetings and passing along to our readers the reports and results of the meetings which she will be posting on our website. We also welcome comments from concerned citizens not just about traffic issues in Andrew Square but also elsewhere in the city.
Thank you,
Paul Feeney
October 20, 2023
A longtime contributor of stories to this newspaper, Manuela Misiak informs us of a meeting held this week at Dunkin Donuts in Andrew Square at which the topic was the terrible impact construction was having on their business. I spoke with the owner of Cafe Polonia and he told me the closing of the bridge on Dorchester Avenue was supposed to be for two months and now they are saying its for two years.
An editorial in South Boston Today confirmed the reality of the problem stating it was almost impossible to get in and out of Southie with the traffic tie-ups in Andrew Square and the rotary at Columbia Road, Morrissey Blvd and Old Colony Avenue. That editorial went further into the problem citing the special consideration given to bicycle riders throughout the city and the putting up of posts to block vehicle access to this previously open to all traffic section of the roads.
These posts have been placed in front of small stores and restaurants making it almost impossible for residents to support their local businesses due to lack of nearby parking. Its almost as if the city is at war with the small business community doing everything to prevent their successful operation and serving the public which they were given permits to do in previous years by the City of Boston. The City designated these spaces to conduct business as a service to the citizens but the people in charge today seem to be doing everything in their power to hurt the small business community which already faces stiff competition by companies like Amazon. Its like the city is pushing people to stay at home, and have everything delivered. Get out of your cars and ride bikes like you should be doing even if your too old, have arthritis and the bike seat hurts your derriere.
I see it everywhere I drive throughout the city. I have learned to stay off the roads in Southie especially after 2 p; m. Posts on American Legion Highway are particularly dangerous, as well as on Cummins Highway. They come on you unexpectedly and it is scary with speeding drivers making it difficult to maneuver safely into one lane.
Hopefully, Manuela will keep us informed on future meetings of the South Boston small business community and their friends and neighbors. South Boston Today is an online newspaper and they certainly have touched on a serious subject as Boston is already and for a long time has been one of the worst traffic nightmares in the country and the added problem with construction is making it worse.
Sincerely,
Paul Feeney
Publisher
