MAY 18, 2021  

To:  Hyde Square Task Force

From: Friends of Blessed Sacrament

Re: Process for involving the community in reviewing offers for BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH, Jamaica Plain, MA

We were pleased to hear that the Hyde Square Task Force (HSTF) has received several formal offers to purchase the Blessed Sacrament Church building, and that there is interest in the property beyond condo developers.

We are also encouraged by recent statements that HSTF will prioritize a buyer that appreciates the significance of the church building to the Boston Latin Quarter, and that HSTF will be considering community benefit as well as financial benefit to ensure any future buyer actively listens to the voices and concerns of the Latin Quarter community.

As you consider proposals to develop the church, Friends of Blessed Sacrament requests that HSTF create a process where the community gets a chance to meet potential developers and give input and feedback before HSTF makes its final decision. Specifically, we request that before taking a board vote to select a developer, HSTF hold one or more public meetings where the community can hear from potential developers and give their feedback and comments.

We understand that as the owner of Blessed Sacrament, HSTF and its Board will make a final decision based on a variety of factors. Given HSTF’s long history of holding developers accountable to the community, and the importance of the church building to the future of the Latin Quarter, it is essential that community residents have the opportunity to understand how any proposed development will meet their needs and priorities.

There are nearby examples of community organizations that own real estate who have involved the community in the development process so that residents can understand how the proposals align with neighborhood priorities. For example, the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative (DSNI) recently hosted a meeting to introduce two possible developers for the former Citizens Bank building in Upham’s Corner, currently owned by DSNI’s Community Land Trust. The DSNI Board of Directors will make the final decision on developer selection; however, they have committed to take into account all community feedback received at the developers’ meetings, including from members of the community’s advisory steering committee they established for the project. Given the significance of the church building, a similar process for Blessed Sacrament Church would serve HSTF well as you go through your decision-making process.

An open and transparent community process will result in the most favorable outcome for everyone concerned and ensure that the future owners continue to engage with the community going forward.

We look forward to hearing how HSTF plans to involve the community as you consider the proposals you receive to redevelop the church.

FRIENDS OF BLESSED SACRAMENT/AMIGOS DE BLESSED SACRAMENT

 Public statement about the sale of Blessed Sacrament Church

February 15, 2021

We represent the voices of hundreds of residents, small business owners, former parishioners, youth advocates, artists, and community leaders in Jamaica Plain and the City of Boston.  We are united in our commitment to preserve the Blessed Sacrament Church’s legacy as a shining jewel of the Hyde/Jackson Square neighborhood of Jamaica Plain.  Many of us live, work or have businesses near Blessed Sacrament.  Others were faithful parishioners for many years and sent our children to Blessed Sacrament School.  Still, others organized to convince the Archdiocese of Boston to sell the church campus for community-friendly development and have continued to rally against displacement and in support of programming and cultural spaces for youth and families. 

Together we are speaking with one voice to let potential developers know that we are ready to work together to make sure that future development of the former Blessed Sacrament Church building meets the vision of the residents, artists, merchants, and young people of Jamaica Plain and Boston’s Latin Quarter.

Numerous planning efforts in Hyde/Jackson Square have resulted in a consensus that the church building should be converted into a cultural center that would serve youth and families in Jamaica Plain and surrounding neighborhoods, celebrate our diverse cultures, and serve as a destination point for residents from across Boston.

Blessed Sacrament Church came into the hands of the community thanks to the organizing efforts of hundreds of residents, including many neighborhood youth leaders.  At that time a promise was made to the young people of our community and we are committed to following through on that promise.

We support the work of the Hyde Square Task Force, which is selling the church building, in fact, many of us have been directly involved as volunteers or staff.  We understand that the Task Force feels that their only option is to put the church up for sale at a high market rate with no restrictions or formal guidelines for potential buyers.  However, we strongly believe that if we all work together, we can rescue the building and reach a positive outcome for Blessed Sacrament that meets the needs and priorities of the Hyde/Jackson Square neighborhood, Jamaica Plain, and indeed, all of Boston.

In that spirit we are asking Potential Buyers, Elected Officials, and the Hyde Square Task Force for the following commitments:

To Potential Developers we ask that you:

 ·       Follow the values and priorities described in the 2019 Latin Quarter Cultural District Plan, including addressing displacement and gentrification, celebrating Afro-Latin culture, and ensuring that community members have a strong voice in decisions that affect them

·       Honor prior commitments to the youth of our community by including cultural/performance spaces in any development proposal

·       Collaborate with the community to seek public/private funding that will make inclusion of cultural/performance space more feasible

·       Agree to respect the historic nature of the building and not to demolish or raze the structure

·       If the proposed project is residential, include a significant mix of housing affordable to local residents, not just high-market condos or rentals

·       Work with community on creative ideas to activate the front of the church and first floor, such as a “mercado” and maintain the front plaza for community use

·       Include ideas for honoring the legacy of Blessed Sacrament Church and the thousands of ex-parishioners for whom it was their spiritual home.

 To Elected Officials:

·       Play a leadership role in identifying existing and new public funds to support community priorities, including funds previously allocated for youth facilities in the neighborhood and funds approved in the 2018 state bond bill for redevelopment projects in Hyde/Jackson Square

·       We request a meeting with interim-Mayor Kim Janey and top officials from relevant City agencies to discuss ways the City can support the community priorities laid out in this statement

·       We will be reaching out to all Mayoral candidates, as well as candidates for District 6 and At-Large City Council to support the community’s wishes around Blessed Sacrament.

To Hyde Square Task Force:

·       As the managing partner of the Boston Latin Quarter Cultural District, inform potential buyers of the values and priorities contained in the Cultural District Plan and give preference to proposals that include cultural/performance spaces and other community priorities

·       Be flexible with the final sale price to encourage creative development ideas and partnerships

·       Collaborate with the community as we seek funds to subsidize inclusion of cultural/performance space as part of any development deal

·       Maintain transparency with the community before finalizing the sale of the property.

The time has never been more critical for all of us to come together to preserve and restore the church, given the recent falling of stones from the façade of the building.  It is vital that the church building be sold to a developer willing to maintain and restore the building for the benefit of the community.

We pledge to continue the dream that started more than fifteen years ago to make sure that the Blessed Sacrament Church building will once again be a jewel and a resource to families in the Latin Quarter neighborhood, Jamaica Plain, and the entire City of Boston.  While the ownership of the building will change, our commitment to realizing the dreams of youth and families remains strong and unwavering.

Sincerely,

Friends of Blessed Sacrament/Amigos de Blessed Sacrament

SIGNERS TO FRIENDS OF BLESSED SACRAMENT PUBLIC STATEMENT

Betsaida Gutiérrez- Neighbor, former parishioner

Damaris Pimentel- Ultra Beauty Shop, former parishioner, Latin Quarter Advisory Cmtee

Vanessa Snow- Hyde Square Task Force (HSTF) alumni

Dorothy Vitello Malcolm- Former parishioner and Blessed Sacrament High School(BSHS) Alumni

Cisnell Baez- HSTF alumni/organizer

Patricia Feeley- Neighbor

Christine Harris- Former parishioner and BSHS Alumni

Alvin Guerrero- Pimentel Market

Katherine Lebron- HSTF Alumni

Mark Hanser- Artist, Jamaica Plain (JP) resident

Chrismaldi Vazquez Casado- HSTF alumni

Paloma Valenzuela- Artist/JP resident, Latin Quarter Advisory Cmtee

Tom Kieffer- Neighbor

Eduardo Vasallo- Mr. V Auto Parts, Inc.

Harry Smith- JP resident

Karen Chacón Jr.- HSTF alumni

Enerio “Tony” Barros- Former parishioner and neighbor

Sujei Lugo- Neighbor

Kelly Ransom- Neighbor, Coordinator Latin Quarter World’s Fair

Frank Sepulveda- Neighbor

Ivonne Cruzado- Neighbor

Monica Cohen- Artist/Latin Quarter Advisory Cmtee

Carlos Espinoza-Toro- Neighbor, Latin Quarter Advisory Cmtee

Oriana Nir- HSTF alumni

Zilma Gonzalez Acaba- Neighbor

Rocío Medellín- Neighbor

Armando Franqui and Jacqueline Peguero-Banilejos Unidos en el Exterior

Maura Twomey and Tamara Pitts- Neighbors

Silvana and David Stephen- Neighbors

Ramon Vasquez- Vasquez Insurance

Ruddy L. Castillo- Centre Tailor

Yvette Fernandez- Fernandez Travel Agency

Gabriela Leyton-Nolan- HSTF alumni

Peter Barros- Former neighbor and parishioner

Aurelia Gonzalez- Neighbor, former parishioner

Wendy Tejeda- Old Havana Cuban Restaurant

Juan Carlos Matos- Tropical Market

Elaine Mondy- Member, Latin Qtr Advisory Cmtee

Sarah Freeman- JP resident

Betsy (Cowan) Neptune- Neighbor

Kendra Hicks- Neighbor and HSTF alumni

Jose Miguel Nuñez- Centre Street Tailor

Sol Tangvik- HSTF alumni

Ramon Emiliano Vazquez Jr.- HSTF alumni

Juan C. Gomera- Fashion Style Salon

Jen Douglass- Neighbor

Kathy Brown- JP resident

Juan Leyton- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Alexis Agrinsoni- HSTF alumni

Pam Bender- JP resident

Red Burrows- JP resident

Lucy Peña- Former parishioner

Maria Peña- Former neighbor and parishioner

Arielys Jimenez- Former neighbor and parishioner

Marina Baez- Former neighbor and parishioner

Ana Elvira Ruiz-Myrick- HSTF alumni

Kevin Whalen- JP resident

Margaret Connors- JP resident

Sarah Horsley- JP resident

Gregory Zuboff- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Karen Buzzelle- JP resident

Marie Kramer Wyatt- Former parishioner and Blessed Sacrament School (BSS) alumni

Courtney Sharpe- Neighbor, member of Latin Quarter Advisory Cmtee

Catherine Iannuzzo- JP resident

Ana Belliard- HSTF alumni

Jeffrey Barros- HSTF alumni and former BSS student

Michael S. Keane- JP resident

Linda Hart- Former parishioner and BSHS alumni

Isabel Costa-Smith- HSTF alumni, JP resident

Peggy Hanbury Hallion- Former parishioner and BSS alumni

Patricia Goode- Former parishioner and BSHS alumni

Sheila York- Former parishioner

Allison Delaney- JP resident and BSS alumni

Marianne Gately Pierson- Former parishioner and BSS alumni

Donna Sylvester- Former parishioner and BSS alumni

Cathy Tobin Conlyn- Former parishioner and BSHS alumni

Cathy Lydon Rideout- Former parishioner and BSS alumni

Francis Vitello Murphy- Former parishioner

Joan Bresnahan Fierstein- Friend of Blessed Sacrament, Alumni

Kathy Hourihan- Former parishioner

Barbara Danesco D’Amato- Former parishioner

Jesse Downing- Former parishioner and BSS alumni

Gerry McQueen Thistle- Former parishioner and BSHS alumni

Maggie Faretra- Former parishioner and BSS alumni

Cindy Brown Cardile- Former parishioner and BSHS alumni

Cynthia Fisher- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Ellen O'Donnell Prokop- Former parishioner and BSHS alumni

Jeanne Martel- Former parishioner and BSHS alumni

Gerrie Mohr- Former parishioner and BSS alumni

Susan Carroll Berry- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Mary T. Wright Boylen- Former parishioner and BSHS alumni

Mary Tobin Beers- Former parishioner and BSS alumni

Joanie Devlin McFarland- Former parishioner and BSHS alumni

Paul Walsh- Former parishioner and BSS Alumni

Anne Coakley- Former parishioner and BSHS Alumni

B.J. Ward- Former parishioner and BSS student

Dan d’Heilly- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Barbara DePalmer- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Christa Culhane- Artist, Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Yazmin Maria- Former parishioner and BSS alumni

Helen Magee Cohane- Former parishioner and BSHS Alumni

Nancy Brown- Former parishioner and BSS Alumni

Peggy McHallam Ariel- Former parishioner

Linda Brennan- Former parishioner

Frances Beach Miller- Former parishioner

Joann Whalen Lohan- Former parishioner

Rosemarie Fontana Buckley- Former parishioner

Frankie Treml- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Samantha Driscoll- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Salvatore Pistone- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Rose Trovata- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Sharyn Dahn- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Jean Lyons- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Mary Jenkins- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

JoAnn Baker- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Timothy Morgan- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Portia Riviera- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Ruth Brenner- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Elizabeth Hopkins- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Sam Growsome- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Peggy Spencer- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Patty Burke- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Bruce Fox- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Marsha Bryant- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Charles Kollars- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Donna Snyder- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Lauran Scheer- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Dan Walter- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Sir Denis Castleton- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Colleen Sloan- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

John D. Flynn- Friend of Blessed Sacrament   

Mike Flack- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Constance Gordon- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Mark Olson- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Mariane Brown- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Paul Oliveira- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Val Irving- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Sheila Brooks- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Suzanne Fournier- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Richard Bunbury- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Thomas Reddy- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Katherine Beery- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Hector Cabrera- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Leign Corcoran- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Quinn Moore- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Maureen Nolan- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Peachie Doherty Fitzgerald- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Dana Rashti- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Dolley Carlson- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

To Ni- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Marion Swartz- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Donna Kinzie- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Bob Ambrosino- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Patricia Abisi- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Cindy Ozuna- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Joan Seavy- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Evelyn McKay- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Eva Szabo- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Eleanor Meadowcroft- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Yazmeen Karfa- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Dorothy Kelley- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Bob Applegate- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Joseph O'Meara- Friend of Blessed Sacrament 

John William Harris- Friend of Blessed Sacrament

Graeme Fisher- Friend of Blessed Sacrament