Thread by @jessekb

I am incredibly disappointed to learn that @TurtleSwampBrew and their landlord Monty Gold have both filed lawsuits to stop @JP_NDC's development of 38 new affordable homes for low-income seniors at 3371 Washington Street in Jamaica Plain. #bospoli

JPNDC's proposed senior development was approved by BPDA and the ZBA last year after significant community input & efforts by the community for JPNDC to purchase the building from a private developer, in hopes of expanding affordable housing in the neighborhood.

In addition to creating more affordable homes for low-income seniors in JP, this development will save El Embajador, a long-time Latino-owned business in JP that was at risk of closing down if the property was developed by the previous market rate developer.

Unfortunately, despite the extensive community process by JPNDC and their partners, compliance with the JP/Rox planning process, and strong community support for the project, Turtle Swamp & their landlords lawsuits read like a NIMBY checklist

"In short, the development is too big, too close to its neighbors, and does not provide enough parking or loading areas sufficient to serve the project."

This project is located at the corner of Washington St & Green St, just a couple blocks from the Green Street Orange Line stop. While the development provides no parking, that should be an acceptable trade off to get more affordable senior homes built in such proximity to the T.

During the permitting phase and in their lawsuit, @TurtleSwampBrew has claimed that the construction and the ultimate development will put their business at risk.

The claims TS made about construction impacts and the development in public meetings are preposterous - but also, it's clear that they think their newer business in the neighborhood is more important than the longtime Dominican restaurant that this development will save.

I should also point out that the Turtle Swamp landlord, Monty Gold, is the same property owner that just settled a lawsuit with @PineStreetInn and @TCBCommunities after trying to stop their development for formerly homeless people across the street.

This lawsuit against JPNDC's development was filed just days after Monty Gold settled with PSI & TCB, allowing their project to move forward but with a clause denying PSI/TCB the right to oppose any future development on the Turtle Swamp site.

In any case, I'm sure we'll learn more about this in the days to come. But it's clear that @TurtleSwampBrew and their landlord do not share Jamaica Plain and Boston values that prioritize the creation of new affordable homes.

While the case was made that Turtle Swamp was not a party to the other suit, the fact that they have filed suit in this case makes it clear where they stand. Turtle Swamp and their landlord Monty Gold are NOT friends of affordable housing.