By Michael Coughlin Jr.
Theresa Strachila, a Program Manager with GrowBoston – the Office of Urban Agriculture, again joined the Harbor View Neighborhood Association’s (HVNA) monthly meeting on Monday to provide an update about the 64 Homer Street parcel.
In a process that has spanned several months, Strachila has been working to gather feedback concerning what residents would like to see at the city-owned 2,500-square-foot parcel that has been vacant for several years.
Back in April, Strachila joined an HVNA meeting and received split feedback, with some wanting the parcel to be used as public open space while others favored it being used as private open space.
In April, it was revealed that at the time, there was interest in the parcel from Eastie Farm, a local non-profit that focuses on climate justice, food access, and education. There was also interest from an abutter who had been already taking care of the property for years.
Then, in June, Strachila went before the HVNA again and conducted a preliminary vote via raised hands, which revealed that attendees were in favor of the parcel being sold as private open space in a vote of 17-8.
However, in an update on Monday, Strachila explained she has received more testimony about the subject since that June meeting.
Strachila said she received emails or signatures from 43 people who wanted the parcel sold as public open space to only 18 emails or signatures who wanted the property sold privately for open space.
It should be noted that signatures and emails supporting a private sale accounted for at least 14 addresses in the area, and signatures and emails supporting a public sale accounted for 28 addresses.
“Also, we got letters from a couple of City Council members expressing support for making the parcel available for public open space,” said Strachila.
Following Strachila’s update, the floor was opened for those in attendance to make their voices heard.
One significant topic discussed concerned the property potentially going to Eastie Farm, and one resident seemed to be against it, calling what could go there a “victory garden.”
However, HVNA Board Member Skip Marcella pushed back on the notion of the area becoming a “victory garden” if it were to go to Eastie Farm.
“I think what Eastie Farm operates is not a victory garden, okay. It’s a well-organized operation that provides food to the neighborhood, so I think that some of the concerns that people might have with thinking of it as a victory garden and people just kind of coming and going on their own that’s totally different than what I think we’ve heard here,” said Marcella.
Another point of view made by a resident against Eastie Farm getting the property was that they did not want tax-payer-owned property given to a non-profit that does not pay taxes.
However, another resident asserted that if the property were maintained as public open space, it would increase property values around the site.
Additionally, a representative from Eastie Farm spoke about the organization’s interest, indicating that a garden area from the organization could provide learning opportunities for students, volunteer opportunities, and open space for residents who might not have it.
Moreover, there was a question about abutters having the first right of refusal on the parcel, but Strachila identified that, due to state law, they do not.
“Our land needs to be sold through a fair, open, and competitive process. We can’t provide a preference,” said Strachila.
Further, it should be noted that Strachila indicated that if the parcel is sold privately, it would be sold at the highest price. In contrast, it could be sold at a discount if the parcel is sold publicly and provides a substantial public benefit.
As of now, Strachila indicated that there has yet to be a firm decision made on what will happen to the parcel.
In terms of next steps, she said, “My plan going forward, given the significant community support for making the parcel available for public open space, is to continue conversations with those abutters as well as some other folks who live directly across the street who have expressed thoughts about the use of the parcel to see what a potential public open space could look like.”