►
From YouTube: Colin's Courtyard Opening
Description
Mayor Wu spoke at the grand opening of Colin's Courtyard, a multigenerational plaza built to provide a safe green space for families. Also speaking at the event was BHA Administrator Kate Bennett and Kerri McGrath, mother of the late Colin McGrath whom the plaza is named after.
A
Good
afternoon,
everyone,
my
name,
is
Kate
Bennett
I
am
the
administrator
and
CEO
of
the
Boston
Housing
Authority.
Thank
you
all
for
coming
out
today.
It's
a
little
chilly
but
I
know
everybody
is
really
warmed
by
this
crowd
and
this
event
and
this
opening
of
Collins
Courtyard
and
the
improvements
at
Monsignor
powers.
A
A
A
B
Good
afternoon,
everyone
thank
you
so
much
for
coming.
We
are
really
we've
been
waiting
for
this
moment
for
a
long
time
and
I'm
so
grateful
to
share
it
with
all
of
you
to
Carrie
and
Brendan
and
Sloan,
and
to
all
of
Collins
and
Sloane's
grandparents.
Thank
you
for
sharing
so
much
of
the
spirit
of
column
that
we
will
ensure
lives
on
not
only
in
this
beautiful
Sanctuary
space
that
so
many
children
and
their
families
and
all
generations
will
enjoy,
but
throughout
this
neighborhood
and
throughout
the
city.
B
I
am
here
to
pledge
today
that
we
will
always
have
Colin
as
a
light
for
our
city
and
make
sure
that
we
do
everything
to
continue
bringing
that
kind
of
joy
and
that
kind
of
connection
everywhere.
I.
You
can
see
how
important
this
event
is
in
the
city,
judging
by
the
number
of
elected
officials
and
colleagues
who
are
here
and
who
have
been
cheering
this
along
and
and
helping
with
all
of
the
coordination
and
and
the
management.
B
So
I
want
to
thank
and
recognize
City
councilor
at
large
Aaron,
Murphy,
state
representative,
David,
Beale
state,
senator
Nick,
Collins,
City
councilor
at
large
Michael,
Flaherty,
City,
councilor
at
large
Roots,
illusion,
city,
council,
president
Ed
Flynn
and,
of
course
Ambassador
Flynn
and
first
lady
Flynn.
Thank
you
so
much
always
for
continuing
to
invest
in
our
city.
There
are
many
many
people
here
who,
from
all
different
departments
and
cabinets,
put
a
lot
into
this
project.
B
Of
course,
Kate
at
the
helm,
ensuring
that
our
Monsignor
powers
of
residents
would
help
guide
this
Vision,
but
between
the
project
managers,
the
parks
department,
Community
engagement,
cabinet.
There
were
a
lot
of
folks
who
were
involved
and
we're
so
so
proud
to
be
able
to
share
this
moment
together.
Just
a
little
bit
of
a
summary
of
what
has
gone
into
this
and
maybe
an
explanation
of
why
it
took
a
little
a
little
bit
of
time
longer
than
we'd
hoped.
B
There
were
nine
million
dollars
that
went
into
modernizing
the
very,
very
important
residence
and
apartments
that
are
here.
New
insulation
and
Roofing
Windows
Doors
railing
exterior
panels
and
a
beautiful
building
facade.
That
means
that
there's
a
now
a
safer,
more
energy,
efficient
environment
for
all
of
our
residents,
that
will
continue
to
keep
people
warm
and
healthy
and
then,
of
course,
in
some
ways.
B
So
I
just
want
to
thank
all
of
those
who
are
involved
in
this
project.
It
has
turned
out
beautifully
and
we
are
going
to
keep
it
look.
Looking
perfect
and
and
pristine
and
Ryan
from
The
Parks
no
I'm,
not
putting
Ryan
has
had
just
about
the
busiest
week
that
anyone
could
have
had
last
week
with
our
our
visit,
followed
by
neighborhood
trolley
tour
throughout
all
of
our
different
Parks.
He
does
such
an
incredible
job
for
the
city
and
we're
so
blessed
to
have
him
in
this
leadership
role.
B
A
C
Thank
you,
Kate,
and
congratulations
to
your
whole
team
and
everybody.
Who's
worked
on
this
beautiful
building
and
I'm
here
to
celebrate.
This
Magnificent
Courtyard
I
want
to
start
off.
I
may
have
a
fancy
title
and
I
get
to
stand
up
here,
representing
the
parks
department,
but
there's
somebody
I
want
to
start
out
by
calling
out
and
that's
the
person
that
has
worked
with
the
McGrath
for
the
past
three
to
four
years
on
this
project,
working
up
at
Medal
of
Honor
on
that
project
and
that's
Allison,
Perlman
who's,
our
project
manager
in
landscape,
architect,.
C
Thank
you.
She
is
the
person
behind
the
curtain
that
makes
it
all
happen.
So
thank
you,
Allison
for
all
your
work
on
that
this
Courtyard
was
a
773
thousand
dollar
investment,
300,
000
of
which
was
from
the
brown
fund
and
473
thousand
dollars
from
the
city
of
Boston
Capital
Improvement
program.
I
want
to
thank
Metro,
Equipment
Corporation.
That
did
the
construction
on
this,
as
well
as
the
design
team
of
Crowley
Cottrell
I
know
that
Metro's
here,
I,
don't
know
if
Crowley
is
too
up.
C
C
For
always
supporting
our
Parks,
as
she
knows
the
value
they
play
in
the
lives
of
our
residents,
challenging
just
to
be
more
resilient
in
our
designs
and
making
them
a
fun
and
safe
space
for
residents
and
families
to
visit
and
enjoy
we're
very
excited
to
have
Collins
Courtyard,
providing
the
Safe
Gathering
space
for
all
generations
to
come
together.
We
find
that
when
we
make
a
space
accessible
for
children
and
older
adults,
the
space
becomes
more
wealth
welcoming
and
comfortable
for
everyone.
C
You'll
notice,
new
site
Furnishings,
the
passive
Plaza
area
includes
tables
and
Gathering
space
for
residents,
Landscaping
fence
restoration,
a
special
area.
That's
going
to
bloom
this
spring
with
Collins
Joy
daffodils,
an
area
for
a
painted
rocks
donated
by
the
community
in
support
of
the
family,
A
little
library
right
behind
us
and
an
interactive
water
pump
feature
to
cool
down
Play
and
Learn.
It
actually
works.
It's
the
last
water
feature,
that's
still
on
in
the
city
right
now,
so
you
can
use
it
for
another
day
before
the
water
is
shut
off.
C
In
2018
I
had
the
pleasure
of
meeting
the
McGrath
family
in
an
office
at
the
Boston
Foundation.
It
was
in
this
meeting.
They
spoke
passionately
about
Colin
and
all
the
joy
he
brought
into
this
world.
We
learned
of
their
plans
for
this
non-profit
and
the
Goodwill
they
wanted
to
spread
throughout
a
community
that
was
there
and
continues
to
be
there
for
their
family.
C
It
was
through
this
meeting
and
further
interactions
that
I
realized
that
this
was
not
just
an
ordinary
family
that
the
McGrath
family
were
unifieders,
a
family
and
non-profit
that
bring
people
together,
whether
it
be
for
community
events,
New
playground,
Renovations
or
numerous
local
causes
that
they
support
everything
they
do
or
work
on.
Brings
people
together
and
spreads
Joy
much
as
Colin's
memory
brings
the
South
Boston
Community,
even
closer
together
through
the
Collins
Joy
project.
His
continuing
Legacy
has
brought
the
Boston
Housing
Authority
in
the
parks
department
together
to
make
this
new
space
a
reality.
C
Colin's
name
lives
on
in
this
Courtyard
and
at
the
Laurie
Miller
play
area
that
we
opened
at
Medal
of
Honor
Park
in
2021,
where
children
can
play
on
the
USS,
Colin
and
other
fun
structures.
In
that
design.
We
have
the
Collins
Joy
Project
logo,
which
is
Colin's
handprint
in
a
superhero
recharging
station
and
at
the
top
of
the
flag
on
the
ship,
and
when
we
cut
the
ribbon
on
that
renovation.
That
day,
we
saw
an
unintended
design
element
where
kids
were
climbing
to
the
top
of
the
flagpole
to
high-five
Collins
handprint.
D
D
We
are
incredibly
grateful
to
BHA
for
being
for
partnering
with
us
in
this
space
and
not
thinking
it
was
a
crazy
idea
and
for
the
design
team
at
Crowley
Cottrell
and
for
Allison
Pearlman,
who
deserves
all
the
as
much
acknowledgment
as
she
will.
Let
people
publicly
give
her
and
and
for
Corey
from
Metro
who
poured
his
heart
and
soul
into
this
project
and
and
Ryan
has
been
with
us
all
along,
but
also
to
all
of
our
elected
officials
who
I
I
remember
talking
to
Nick
Collins
Senator
Collins
in
in
the
like
it.
D
D
And
this
space
is
really
it
really
embodies.
That
and
there's
so
many
features
of
the
space
that
we're
so
excited
about,
like
these
benches,
are
all
of
Colin's,
favorite,
colors
and
Colin
loved,
to
read
and
so
having
this
lending
library,
and
some
of
these
rocks
that
are
here
that
are
painted
are
rocks.
D
But
there's
so
many
features
of
this,
and
one
that
really
is
so
meaningful
to
us
is
the
fact
that
the
the
opening
to
this
space
has
been
changed
and
that
actually,
where
we
lost
Colin
and
where
we
lost
a
huge
part
of
the
light
in
our
life,
where
we
felt
like
that
was
closed,
is
now
open
to
everyone
and
invites
you
into
this
space
and
so
to
have
that
sign.
Welcoming
him
welcoming
you
all
where
we
had
a
sign
memorializing
him
for
years.
D
So
we
we
look
forward
to
many
events.
Thank
you.
Thanks
to
our
our
state
leadership,
we
actually
have
a
fund
to
be
able
to
host
events
and
maintain
this
space,
which
is
amazing,
and
so
we
really
look
forward
to
all
of
the
opportunities
that
we'll
be
able
to
have
here
together
and
we're
just
so
grateful
to
the
city,
to
BHA,
to
the
Boston,
Parks
and
Rec
group
and
everyone
who
helped
make
this
happen
and,
importantly
to
all
of
you
who
have
supported
us
all
along.
D
Thank
you,
oh
and
and
the
daffodils
I
forgot
about
the
tablet.
I
know
I
know
Ryan
mentioned
them,
but
in
April
you
will
see
there
is
actually
a
daffodil
that
is
orange
and
white
and
green
called
the
Collins
Joy
daffodil.
Nobody
that
I
know
made
it
called
that
it
actually
just
exists
and
we
planted
hundreds
of
them
at
the
entrance.
So
in
April
you
will
be
greeted
by
these
daffodils
that
are
his
that
are
that
are
ours
that
are
that
are
representative
of
this
community
and
the
joy
that
he
brings
us.
D
A
Thank
you
so
much
Carrie
and
Brendan.
Your
spirit
is
amazing
and,
and
it
will
live
on
here
in
the
days
to
come.
Our
next
speaker,
Kerry,
mentioned
the
creation
of
a
fund
at
the
state
to
maintain
this
beautiful
space
in
perpetuity
and
Senator
Collins
was
instrumental
in
making
that
happen
and
also
in
securing
funds
for
the
building
itself.
The
mayor
mentioned
nine
million
dollars
in
renovations
we're
about
halfway
through
that
process.
E
Thank
you,
Kate
and
I
gotta
give
a
shout
out
to
my
colleague,
representative
David
Beale.
We
can't
do
anything
in
the
Senate
without
our
partners
in
the
house,
but
thank
you
Kate
to
Mayor
Wu
commissioner
Woods
under
secretary
Stone
and,
most
importantly,
to
Kerry
and
Brennan
McGrath,
Colin's,
mom
and
dad
and
all
his
friends
here
at
the
powers.
E
E
Mayor
of
this
neighborhood
and
what's
taking
place
here
today,
is
incredible
from
the
late
Bill
McGonigle
former
mayor
Walsh
to
the
constants
Kate
Bennett,
commissioner
Woods,
and
the
team
at
BHA
and
the
Parks
Department
to
the
collaboration
that
they
have.
That
is
very
unique.
This
is
a
state
subsidized
asset.
The
Boston
Housing
Authority
was
independent.
A
There
is
Ben
Stone
from
Department
of
Housing
and
Community
Development
at
the
state.
Dacd
has
provided
a
huge
investment
for
these
buildings,
again
nine
million
dollars,
but
more
important
to
me
is
Ben
and
his
team
have.
You
know,
worked
day
in
and
day
out
with
BHA,
to
improve
the
quality
of
life
for
the
city's
state.
Public
housing
residents
and
I
truly
appreciate
their
partnership.
Grateful
for
the
whole
team,
Ben.
F
Of
course,
this
aging
portfolio
takes
a
lot
of
resources
and
collaboration
to
to
maintain
and
preserve
for
future
Generations,
which
I
think
this
project
really
exemplifies
the
Genesis
for
the
project
behind.
You
was
a
great
opportunity
to
put
out
back
in
2018
to
try
to
look
at
how
doing
deep
energy
retrofits
for
buildings
to
preserve
them
and
make
them
more
sustainable,
more
energy
efficient
for
the
long
term,
so
I
think
it's
really
appropriate
that
that
project
was
combined
with
this
beautiful
Park
as
because
it
really
just
ties
Generations
together.
F
Both
the
you
know,
current
children
and
the
current
you
know
more
senior
residents
of
this
building,
but
also
you
know
the
future
Generations
that
will
be
able
to
stay
in
this
public
housing
with
this
investment
in
the
future
generations
of
kids.
That
will
be
able
to
play
here
in
this
beautiful
Park,
so
I
just
want
to
thank
every
I
mean
like
everybody
else.
Thank
you.
Everybody
involved
the
BHA
staff
for
the
collaboration
and
focus
on
this
project.
F
F
The
DHD
Capital
team,
who
took
this
project
through
a
lot
of
twists
and
turns
contractors,
design
team
and,
of
course,
the
city
and,
most
importantly,
the
the
McGrath
family
for
making
this
park
happen.
That'll
be
a
great
resource
to
bring
the
neighborhood
and
the
public
housing
residents
together.
Thank
you.
G
We
also
know
that
the
McGrath
family
and
the
calamari
family
have
brought
us
together
at
this
Courtyard,
and
we
remember
calling
and
remember
the
love
of
life
he
had,
whether
it's
through
the
through
these
little
rocks
or
through
this
wonderful
playground
or
at
Meadow
Havana
Park.
We
remember
his
spirit,
Spirit
of
bringing
people
together
and
that's
exactly
what
both
of
these
families
are
doing
through.
G
This
tragedy
is
bringing
love
and
bringing
this
community
together,
and
so
I'm
honored
to
be
here
with
mayor,
Wu
and
and
through
the
leadership
of
May
Wu
and
mayor
Walsh
as
well.
This
tragedy
brought
us
together
as
a
community
as
well.
Thank
you
very
much,
the
BHA
team.
Thank
you
very
much
to
my
fellow
residents
here
of
South
Boston
residents
of
this
wonderful
development.
Thank
you.