Christmas came early for East Boston’s popular neighborhood music program Zumix, as well as Piers Park Sailing Center through a generous donation to both groups by the Davis Companies.
On Monday, Stephen Davis of the Davis Companies stopped by Zumix’s Holiday Celebration to spread a little holiday cheer to both Eastie non-profits.
Davis, who is developing the Mark–a residential development at the former Hodge Boiler Works site on the waterfront, was on hand to present a check of $10,000 each to the two Eastie non-profits.
“Zumix and the Piers Park Sailing Center do incredibly important work,” said Davis. “Whether it’s teaching children to sail or play the guitar, they are building community and providing resources and unique life experiences to East Boston families and children. The Davis Companies are happy to be part of the East Boston Community and proud to help support the wonderful work of Zumix and the Sailing Center.”
The money is part of the Davis Companies’s commitment to the community as the result of permitting for the Mark–a 119 condo unit waterfront development project that also includes a connection to the Eastie Harborwalk. The BPDA and the Davis Companies worked with the Impact Advisory Group for the Project to formulate a community benefits program that is responsive to expressed community needs. As a result, the Davis Companies agreed to make contributions to Zumix, Piers Park Sailing Center and several other neighborhood groups.
“The Davis Companies and Stephen Davis have been getting to know the neighborhood and saw our work, love what we do and wanted to support our work,” said Zumix Executive Director Madeleine Steczynski. “We are so grateful for this contribution, as well as the contribution made to our friends and colleagues at Piers Park Sailing Center.”
Piers Park Sailing Center Executive Director Alex DeFronzo said the Sailing Center will use the support for its Ocean Science After School and spring Sailing After School programs.
“This will help continue to provide climate resilience, marine science, and on-the-water programming to East Boston youth for free,” said DeFronzo.
The Davis Companies also plans to spend another $100,000 to The Fund for Parks and Recreation managed by the City’s Parks Department for the support of LoPresti Park; and another $1,000 to the BPDA, to be paid to the Maverick Association of Residents to support their annual community day event;
There will also be $49,000 paid to the BPDA to support an Eastie community benefits fund. The BPDA will distribute these funds to non-profit organizations serving the community in accordance with its procedures for such community benefit funds. Davis commented that folks in the community should now those funds are there and he would like nothing better than to see them distributed to worthy local non-profits going forward.
When the Hodge Boiler site was owned by the DeNormandie Companies a few years ago, the group pitched a scaled down version of their original plan to build an eight-story, 119 unit residential complex. DeNormandie decided to build a five-story, 95 units building that is 80,000 sq. ft. less than the original design.
The Davis Companies then purchased the property and reverted back to the original plan of building, 119 condo units. The Davis Companies will also pay into the BPDA’s fund to create affordable housing units off site to the tune of $2.19 million.
According to the Davis Companies’ BPDA filing, the project will be a six-story, 125,678 sq. ft.. mixed-use development.
Aside from the 119 condo units there will a 7,200 sq. ft. public facility. The project also calls for 83 off-street parking spaces, 119 bicycle storage spaces within the building for residents and 28 exterior bicycle storage spaces to be made available for the general public, visitors, and residents.
Approximately 35,750 square feet of the project site will be used as a public open space that will include one of the last links missing from the East Boston Harborwalk.
This missing link will connect the Charlton Wharf site with Lopresti Park. With Clippership Wharf, Portside at Pier One and the Boston East Site under construction, the Harborwalk will be one continuous path that extends from the Hyatt Logan Airport Hotel all the way to the Boston East Site or Border Street.