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From YouTube: Central Square Ribbon Cutting
Description
After decades of planning by East Boston residents and various city departments, the ribbon was finally cut on Central Square's renovation. The square now promises better traffic flow, more parking availability and safer crosswalks for pedestrians. The project was a collaboration between the Department of Transportation, Parks and Recreation, Boston Water and Sewer and East Boston Main Streets, among others.
A
A
Good
morning,
every
welcome
to
the
fantastic
ribbon-cutting
for
Central
Square
and
for
patchouli
part
today,
as
we
all
know,
is
an
incredible
celebration
of
years
of
hard
work
and
great
collaboration
across
many
many
partners.
As
folks
may
recall,
we
were
actually
here
a
couple
of
months
ago
for
a
different
announcement.
We
were
here
on
this
spot
for
the
mayor
to
announce
his
five-year
to
billion
dollar
capital
plan,
and
we
chose
this
location
because
in
many
ways
this
spot
and
what
we're
celebrating
today
is
incredibly
emblematic
of
the
great
work
that
the
mayor's
administration
is
doing.
A
Work
around
improving
transportation,
around
building
great
parks
around
implementing
green
infrastructure
around
supporting
small
businesses
in
doing
all
of
those
things
in
collaboration
and
concert
with
the
community.
That
is
the
work
that
we
are
hard
at
work
on
within
City
Hall,
as
there's
a
sort
of
themes
that
we
are
focused
on
as
part
of
imagine,
Boston
2030,
the
mayor's
long-term
vision
for
the
city
of
Boston.
So
it's
my
pleasure
to
be
able
to
introduce
as
the
first
speaker
of
this
event
the
person
who's
really
setting
that
vision
and
who
is
leading
our
work.
B
Thank
you
very
much.
Kristen
I
want
to
thank
Chris
for
his
work
on
this
project.
If
Chris
wasn't
in
his
role
when
this
project
started
and
he
took
over
the
role
of
chief
of
streets
in
the
city
of
Boston
and
has
done
an
incredible
job,
so
I
want
to
thank
him.
First
work.
There's
a
bunch
of
people
behind
me
and
they're,
not
all
going
to
speak,
but
did
a
lot
of
them.
B
Are
there
for
a
reason,
because
if
this
project
that
it
was
was,
that
was
a
very
complicated
project
in
the
sense
of
all
different
city
agencies.
So
I
just
want
to
thank
Commissioner
Chris
Cook
from
the
parks
department.
I
want
to
thank
Henry
vitality
from
Water
and
Sewer.
I
want
to
thank
the
public
works
construction
team
I
want
to
thank
Leah,
Public
Works,
who
also
transportation
jeanne
van
doctor
from
transportation.
I
want
to
thank
McCourt
construction
I
want
to
thank
each
Boston
Main
streets.
B
I
want
to
thank
all
the
folks
that
were
here
today,
although
a
lot
of
the
folks
I'll
get
to
them
in
a
minute
that
are
here
today
that
the
major's
project
move
forward.
I
also
want
to
thank
the
elected
officials
on
City,
Council
and
Easter
asabi
George
who's
here
with
us
today.
I
want
a
council
George,
there's
some
votes
in
the
in
the
city
council
that
she
was
able
to
take
the
project.
Fo
got
moving
to
increase
more
money
to
this
project.
B
I
also
want
to
thank
state
representative,
Adrian
Monroe,
who
worked
less
on
the
state
side
to
make
sure
that
we
have
funding
and
then
salamati
Nia
district
city
councilor,
who
was
in
from
this
project
all
the
way
from
the
very
beginning,
making
sure
that
this
project
happened
and
making
sure
that
the
correct
money
was
there
we're
gonna
hear
from
the
counselors
in
a
second.
This
is
I
think
it's
a
proud
day
for
East
Boston,
because
I
hear
about
it.
B
B
In
talking
to
gene
and
earlier
that,
you
know
when
you
went
from
when
you
try
to
cross
the
street,
you
took
your
life
any
hands
and
it
was
kind
of
like
a
game
of
dodgeball,
except
you
were
the
the
cosworth
with
the
balls,
and
that
wasn't
a
fun
thing,
but
having
this
here
today
is
important,
because
the
people
of
the
community
have
been
working
on
this
for
decades.
This
is
a
landmark.
This
is
full
of
history,
and
now
it's
gotten
the
upgrade
that
people
of
East
Boston
deserve
right
off
the
bat.
B
The
people
of
East,
Boston
gonna,
see
the
results.
Pedestrians
and
cyclists
are
going
to
be
safer.
Well,
the
same
traffic
will
flow
more
efficiently
and
I
know
that
it's
going
to
take
a
little
bit
of
time,
all
right
to
get
used
to
it,
but
we're
asking
people
to
be
patient
because
it's
better
it
will
work.
This
is
this.
This
process
will
work
here.
B
Foot
traffic
certainly
can
be
easier
for
people
to
get
to
the
local
businesses,
and
we
had
know
about
six
months
ago,
eight
months
ago
we
had
a
grand
opening
of
Wing
Stop
and
when
we
stopped
open
their
doors,
they
had
all
kinds
of
construction
in
front
of
them
and
we're
seeing
great
businesses
come
here.
So
we
want
to
make
sure
that
we
hurt
we
help
them.
We
also
have
were
truly
Park
has
been
renovated,
promenade
the
promenade,
with
amenities
for
people
of
all
ages
and
all
abilities.
B
So
this
is
a
fully
accessible
park
that
allows
people
to
be
able
to
come.
Here.
We
have
new
bike
racks.
We
have
nearly
planted
nearly
100
trees,
which
is
important
for
us
in
the
city
and
we're
gonna
water,
those
trees
to
make
sure
they
don't
die.
I
think
that's
Chris
cooks
team's
job,
so
we
want
to
make
sure
we
don't
want
those
trees
to
die.
B
These
are
all
also
measures
that
will
benefit
the
neighborhood
today,
but
this
project
even
goes
further
than
that.
The
redesign
project
means
long
benefits
for
things
like
community
health,
climate,
resiliency
and
local
businesses
to
work
with
them.
It
was
guided
by
the
people
who
know
East
Boston
the
best
the
residents
and
that's
one
thing
about
this
project.
B
I
want
to
thank
Walk
Boston
in
the
Public
Health
Commission
for
their
work
together
on
with
our
design
team.
On
this.
That's
an
important
aspect
of
this.
They
talked
about
to
the
community
members,
raise
their
awareness
about
safe
walking
and
healthy
living.
They
helped
us
make
sure
that
we
looked
at
pedestrian
safety
and
make
sure
that
that
was
the
center
of
this
process
and
I
think
people
feel
good
about
that.
B
I
also
want
to
thank
the
Charles
River
Watershed
Association
and
the
youth
from
NOAA
for
your
activity
and
your
participation
in
this
and
a
lot
of
the
youth
are
probably
in
school
today,
but
it's
important
for
us
to
make
sure
they
understanding
they
get
acknowledged.
They
work
with
the
water
and
sewer
to
study
how
central
square
could
that
could
have
green
infrastructure
based
on
their
input,
water
and
Barcelona,
and
sewer
trick
measures
that
will
make
this
area
more
resilient
to
storms,
flooding
and
climate
change,
and
certainly
was
seeing
what's
happening
now
in
Florida.
B
Now
in
many
of
those
areas
of
Florida
is
seeing
a
local
neighborhoods
that
that
are
being
flooded
out
and
the
problems
come
in.
So
we're
constantly
looking
at
that.
This
isn't
going
to
be
the
answer
to
all
that,
but
this
is
the
beginning
process
of
that.
This
is
also
our
mind
if
truck
safety
and
access
and
resilient
and
should
work
hand
in
hand
that
all
these
things
that
we
talked
about
in
this
project
should
be
able
to
come
together.
It's
proof
that
our
communities
are
strongest
when
they
bring
voices
to
the
table
again.
B
I
want
to
thank
everyone
who
made
this
a
reality.
Central
square
has
always
been
a
monument
to
East,
Boston's
history
and
character.
Now
it
also
represents
these
Boston's
future
to
all
the
residents
of
East
Boston
who
helped
guide
to
this
process.
I
want
to
say
thank
you
to
the
people
that
were
watching
this
going
and
that
we're
frustrated
because
of
the
progress
I
want
to
say.
B
Thank
you
for
your
patience
during
the
construction
and
congratulations
on
your
new
Central
Square
and
now
I'm,
going
to
ask
City,
Council
Salomon
team
to
come
up
and
say
a
few
words
and
then
after
sound
state
representative
evening,
madara
will
come
up
and
say
a
few
words
and
then
we'll
go
back
to
Commission
chief
car
chief
watch.
It.
C
Where
do
I
stop
just
want
to
say
wow!
This
is
amazing,
amazing,
so,
30
years
ago,
30
years
ago,
believe
it
I've
been
working
in
government
and
the
first
transportation
project
I
worked
on
was
a
square
and
for
those
who've
been
here
for
a
long
time,
he's
Bostonians.
That
was
a
battle,
a
battle
when
we
first
did
that.
But
this
right
here
this
project
here
the
community
worked
together
and
I.
Remember
that
first
meeting
and
I
said
listen,
we're
gonna
design,
something
that's
gonna,
be
in
East
Boston
for
a
hundred
years.
C
This
isn't
me
part
of
East,
Boston
history,
so
I
just
want
to
take
this
opportunity.
Thank
the
mayor
so
making
sure
that
this
state
as
a
prior
priority
for
him.
Sometimes
you
come
here.
You
could
put
all
those
capital
projects
behind,
but
he
made
sure
when
he
made
his
commitment
to
his
Boston,
that
he's
gonna
be
here
and
make
sure
these
projects
stay
on
time
and
miR.
Thank
you
for
the
extra
money
that
we
had
to
spend
on
this
project
so
with
that
I'm.
C
D
Here
in
East
Boston,
as
you
look
around
it
clearly
is
one
of
our
central
business
districts
here
in
the
neighborhood
and
after
six
years
of
nearly
twenty
million
dollars
there
we
are
mayor
council,
councillor,
sabe,
Georgian
latina.
Thank
you
so
much
for
advocate
for
this
at
City,
Hall.
I
think
this
is
an
absolutely
transformational
for
East
Boston
and,
as
we
stand
here
today,
I
think
it's
hard
to
really
wrap
our
brains
around
it.
D
Just
how
much
work
went
in
because
we
just
see
a
beautiful,
you
know
transformation,
but
all
water
and
all
the
water
and
sewer
pipes
had
to
be
redone.
The
traffic
plan
was
totally
re-engineered
to
make
it
safer
for
vehicles
and,
more
importantly,
for
pedestrians.
Crosswalks
were
shortened
and
obviously
the
park
was
enlarged
and
beautified,
and
this
really
will
be
a
lasting
legacy
for
mayor
Walsh
and
for
our
community
again.
D
Thank
you
for
this
investment
I
think
it
was
just
last
weekend
we
were
cutting
the
ribbon
on
kunio
Park
in
Orion,
Heights
and
I
feel,
like
every
other
week,
we're
cutting
the
ribbon
to
some
park
that
the
mayor
has
redone,
and
that
is
clear
that
he
is
invested
in
our
parks
and
in
this
community,
whether
it's
Power
Street
community
center
or
any
of
the
other
wonderful
amenities
that
we've
enjoyed
here
in
East
Boston
I
thank
the
Walsh
administration
for
their
commitment
to
our
community.
Thank
you.
A
Thank
you
so
much
representative.
As
the
representative
mentioned,
there
are
many
many
parts
for
this
project.
This
project
is
a
transportation
project.
We
have
made
the
streets
around
this
square
easier
and
safer
for
everybody
and
that's
a
great
credit
to
Vinnie
Gupta
and
Charlotte
Fleetwood
and
Carey
plank,
and
her
team
at
Howard
Stein
Hudson
for
all
of
their
hard
work
in
getting
the
plan
and
the
design
just
right.
A
This
project
is
also
a
water
sewer
project.
We
are
putting
in
place
green
infrastructure.
Here,
that's
going
to
help
us
deal
with
stormwater
runoff
and
be
a
model
for
the
sort
of
infrastructure
we
can
put
into
other
places
across
the
city.
That's
a
credit
to
Henry
vitaliy,
who
leads
the
Boston
water,
sewer,
commission,
Charlie,
jewel
and
Kate
England,
neither
of
whom
I
see
but
they're
both
they're
both
here.
This
project
is
also
a
fantastic
parks
project.
We
have
expanded
the
amount
of
green
space.
As
the
mayor
said,
we
have
added
trees.
A
We
have
better
found
a
way
to
honor
the
veteran
and
veterans
who
are
memorialized
here
and
that's
a
great
credit
to
the
parks
department.
The
leadership
of
chief
Austin
Blackmon,
Commissioner,
Cooke
and
Kathy
Baker.
Eclipse
who's
been
doing
the
day-to-day
work
on
this
for
the
Parks
Department,
so
credit
to
them,
and
this
project
is
also
a
public
works
project.
We
have
moved
earth
and
we
have
moved
rock
to
create
this
square
in
this
park
and
that's
a
great
credit
to
Katie
Cho,
who
leads
our
construction
management
division.
A
John
vis
Ella
there's
been
the
day-to-day
project
manager
for
this,
and
the
team
in
the
court
led
by
Costa
Mauro
lots
of
their
hard
work,
and
none
of
this
would
have
been
possible
if
all
those
pieces
didn't
fit
together.
So
it's
a
real
credit
to
the
team
that
together
they're
able
to
create
something,
this
beautiful.
So
as
my
pleasure
to
be
introduced
to
of
the
people
who
were
the
true
champions
of
this
project
for
leaders
of
this
project.
There
were
great
colleagues
for
me.
E
Well,
it
certainly
is
an
honor
and
a
thrill
to
be
here
today
to
celebrate
the
ribbon-cutting
of
this
newly
designed
Central
Square
Park.
Today's
ribbon-cutting
really
brings
us
a
step
closer
to
meeting
the
transportation
and
the
safety
and
mobility
goals
that
are
laid
out
by
Mayor
Walsh
and
go
Boston
2030
Boston's
comprehensive
transportation
plan
for
the
future
in
his
transportation.
Commissioner
I
am
so
pleased
that
the
streets
surrounding
this
park
are
so
much
safer
for
all
of
our
users.
E
Shorter
crosswalks
make
it
easier
for
pedestrians
to
get
across
back
and
forth
from
the
social
Center
and
from
the
surrounding
businesses.
We'd
like
to
thank
our
colleagues
at
the
Boston
Public
Health
Commission
for
their
work
and
walk
Boston
and
mark
Fenton
host
of
the
new
PBS
series,
America's
walking
for
his
consultation
with
us
on
this
important
project
for
us
seniors
who
rely
on
the
MBTA.
We've
made,
Central
Square
buses,
more
accessible,
we've
enhanced
the
navigation
path
and
your
layouts
to
safe
and
effective
bus.
E
Stop
so
that
you
can
see
wayfinding
here
where
our
buses
are
stopping
safer
for
everyone
and
define
traveling
through
the
square,
make
it
safer
for
our
motorists.
We've
created
20
new
bicycle
racks
in
this
park,
so
if
all
mobility
users,
this
is
truly
transformative
and
as
it's
a
Council
of
la
mattina
and
rep
Madero
have
already
outlined.
You
know
this
is
really
a
nexus
for
the
community
and
for
me
growing
up
in
this
community.
This
park
is
really
near
and
dear
to
me.
I've
watched
the
transformation.
E
My
dad
worked
at
the
courthouse
for
many
years,
not
far
from
here
and
my
brother
at
the
police
station.
My
sister
worked
at
his
Boston
Savings
Bank,
and
my
brother
worked
at
Liberty
markets
and
my
first
job
was
at
McDonald's,
so
I've
seen
yes
I.
My
diets
changed,
but
I've
seen
the
transformation
firsthand
and
I've
seen
the
transformation
throughout
this
community
through
the
Mayoress
commitment,
through
his
capital
plan
and
through
all
of
the
great
work
that
this
community
does
with
us
each
and
every
day.
E
F
There
are
no
silos
here,
there's
multiple
city
departments
and
no
one's
pointing
the
finger,
we're
all
holding
hands
today,
and
this
is
what
can
actually
happen
when
we
work
together.
Ladies
and
gentlemen,
this
is
a
direct
result
of
your
advocacy
and
a
mayor
who
cares
deeply
about
open
spaces
in
our
city
and
we're
very,
very
grateful
for
that
I'd
be
remiss
if
I
didn't
think
Howard,
Stein,
Hudsons
and
associates,
but
because
I'm,
the
parks
guy
often
I,
have
to
think
the
landscape.
F
A
So,
as
Chris
well
said,
this
would
not
be
possible
without
the
incredible
collaboration
with
all
of
you.
The
Comba
collaboration
with
the
community
from
NOAA
to
the
Charles
River
watershed
to
walk
Boston,
East,
Boston
social
centers
I
wanted
to
invite,
though,
to
the
to
the
microphone
a
person.
Who's
been
a
fantastic
partner
for
us
who
leads
the
East
Boston
Main
streets
and
who
really
represents
all
the
small
businesses,
have
been
critical
partners
for
us
and
have
had
to
sort
of
endure
the
construction
project.
A
G
What
a
beautiful
day!
Thank
you
all
for
coming
what
a
gorgeous
gorgeous
Park!
It
was
unbelievable
right.
Two
years
of
construction
traffic
challenges,
some
issues
around
parking,
maybe-
and
today
we
are
here-
we're
looking
at
this-
and
it's
absolutely
gorgeous.
I
want
to
thank
everybody
who
was
standing
here
behind
me
and
a
very
special
thank
you
and
moment
of
appreciative,
al
Walsh
and
his
vision
for
this
park.
G
You
know
I'm
kind
of
outward-facing
right,
so
I
worked
with
the
community.
I
worked
with
the
businesses,
I
worked
with
the
residents
and
my
work
wouldn't
be
possible
without
partners
who
are
available.
Partners
who
are
knowledgeable
partners
who
are
pleasant
and
kind
partners
will
answer
an
email
and
pick
up
the
phone,
and
so
I
want
to
give
a
very
special
shout
out
to
Charlotte
Fleetwood
and
her
silly
hat.
G
She's
standing
behind
that
pole
right
there
Charlotte,
you
have
been
a
fantastic
partner
through
all
of
the
community
processes,
all
of
the
community
meetings.
Thank
you
so
much
for
answering
the
numerous
questions
for
being
patient
and
for
repeating
yourself
so
many
times
when
I
looked
at
you
blankly
and
said
I
still
don't
get
it.
G
You
know
working
in
East,
Boston,
sometimes
I
feel
like
every
time.
I
blink
my
eyes.
A
new
construction
project
is
popping
up
I
Drive
down
a
road
that
I
could
drive
through
and
and
the
following
day.
I
can't
because
it's
closed
because
it's
construction,
so
I
I
work
with
developers
quite
a
bit
and
I
work
with
the
people
on
the
ground
and
I
wanna.
If
I
had
a
hat,
I
would
tip
my
head
to
Jon
basella
right.
There.
G
Jon
was
the
lead,
the
senior
project
manager
of
for
for
this
project,
and
this
project
had
up
and
downs
like
every
project.
Does
we
had
challenges?
We
had
questions,
we
had
great
ideas.
John
was
always
there.
Jon
is
always
there.
He
runs
a
fantastic
community
meeting,
he
is
respectful,
he
is
knowledgeable
and
he
is
very,
very
professional
in
the
way
he
interfaces
with
the
public
so
Jon.
Thank
you
so
much.
G
And
I'm,
just
gonna
close
with
one
observation.
You
know
in
the
fistful
of
years,
I've
had
the
great
pleasure
of
working
with
Mayor.
Walsh
I
have
learned
one
thing,
and
that
thing
is
that
a
city's
budget,
a
city's
allocation
of
capital
projects,
is
not
only
a
representation
of
a
city's
priorities,
but
it's
a
true
expression
of
an
administration's
values
and
I
truly
believe
that
this
mayor
loves
our
neighborhoods.
He
understands
our
neighborhoods
and
he
understands
that.