By Michael Coughlin Jr.
At its monthly meeting last week, the Orient Heights Neighborhood Council (OHNC) voted to support two proposals: a change of occupancy at 969-985 Bennington Street and a liquor license request for an incoming Caffè dello Sport location at 973 Saratoga Street.
The first proposal discussed was the change of occupancy at 969-985 Bennington Street. Specifically, the project entails using the second floor of the two-story building to add eight rental units.
“We’re very excited about this particular location in a mixed-use neighborhood. Obviously, within a short walk to the Orient Heights train station but also with the beach and the park literally right there, we think it’s a great spot,” said Attorney Joe Hanley, who presented the project to the OHNC.
It should be noted that with this project, there are no plans to increase the height of the building or add to it.
Additionally, most of the current commercial tenants, like Recovery on the Harbor, the New Saigon restaurant, and the dance studio at the property, are slated to remain there.
“The dance studio, in particular, which is on the second floor of the building, will get a new, more appropriate, and accessible space as part of the development on the first floor,” said Hanley.
As the presentation continued, Hanley discussed how the team responded to residents’ comments after the first presentation during September’s meeting. Specifically, there are plans to add bike parking and a few trees.
Following the presentation, residents were able to ask questions or make comments. Since no spaces were proposed, parking was a significant topic of discussion.
“The only way we could park this is if we got rid of the dance studio and Recovery on the Harbor and created a parking garage on the first floor on a retail street,” said Hanley.
The parking conversation spawned a more extensive discussion in which residents thought the lack of parking would not just attract future tenants who do not have cars. Moreover, residents spoke about the current parking issues in the neighborhood and how difficult it is to find spaces.
In the end, the discussion touched on several topics, such as the square footage of units, the project’s compliance with PLAN: East Boston, and more, before it went to a vote.
Ultimately, the project was supported by a vote of eight to three, with one voter abstaining.
Next, Mivan Spencer, who runs the North End Caffè dello Sport, talked about his plans to get a liquor license for the new Caffè dello Sport location he plans to open on Saratoga Street.
“What I’m seeking is a seven-day-a-week liquor license,” said Spencer, who indicated his hours of operation would be 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., but liquor would not be served until lunchtime.
He also indicated that the menu would resemble the North End location, with breakfast sandwiches, coffee, muffins, and more. For lunch, paninis and salad are planned. At night, the offerings will be pastry-oriented.
Spencer, a 35-year East Boston resident, indicated that he still plans to open with or without a liquor license.
Following the presentation, Spencer responded to questions and comments. He noted that the establishment will have a capacity of about 24 seats and that the site is already zoned as a cafè.
One resident had asked if the theme would be similar to the North End location.
“I’m going to make it coffee first—more coffee-centric. We will have a couple of TVs and stick with a theme of European cafè soccer bar,” said Spencer.
“I’m basing it more on coffee, light lunch, breakfast sandwiches. I would love to have the liquor license, obviously, but I will go forward with or without it.”
After the discussion, attendees supported the proposal by a vote of nine to two, with one voter abstaining.