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July 30,
2018
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Featured Stories
In The News
This Week's Featured Event
Arts, Entertainment & Events
Announcements
Deals & Promos
Construction, Utility Work and City Updates
City Services & Important Hotlines
BID Services & Links
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This Week's Featured Event
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Primark Launching Harry Potter Section: First 100 Fans Receive Wands
July 31st
Primark (10 Summer St.) is launching an in-store Harry Potter section on Tuesday, July 31st. The store opens at 8 am and the first 100 people in line will receive a magic wand.
The section will include Harry Potter clothing for men, women, children, accessories and more. Also, in celebration of the new section, a large screen will be playing clips of Harry Potter movies. |
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Arts, Entertainment & Events
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Participate in the No Evil Project at Cathedral
Church of
St. Paul
August 1st
The No Evil Project, a nonprofit community art activity will be in front of the Cathedral Church of St. Paul (138 Tremont St.) starting at 9 am on Wednesday, Aug. 1st.
The No Evil Project challenges stereotypes by showing that a wide variety of people are doing good things. People are given an opportunity to have photos taken of themselves posing as one of three wise monkeys (see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil) and write a good thing they've done to show they're not evil. Stop by and learn about the project, and if you'd like, be photographer for the project. Click here for more information about the No Evil Project. |
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The Stardust Band at Dorothy Curran Wednesday Night Concert Series
August 1st
The Stardust Band will be performing in the city's annual Dorothy Curran Wednesday Night Concert Series on Wednesday, Aug. 1st at City Hall Plaza. The concert is free and begins at 7 pm.
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The Genesis Foundation Young Professionals Summer Mixer August 1st
Spend a summer evening having fun and networking while supporting The Genesis Foundation for Children (60 Temple Place) at the Genesis Foundation Young Professionals Summer Mixer on Wednesday, August 1st.
The event will feature complimentary drinks and appetizers, a chance to win great raffle prizes and you'll get to learn about some of the amazing work that the Genesis Foundation is doing throughout New England.
The event is being held at Tia's (200 Atlantic Avenue) from 5:30 to 8:30 pm. Tickets are available by clicking here. |
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Free Shakespeare on the Common
"Richard III" Through Aug. 5th
The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company is performing "Richard III" for this year's Free Shakespeare on the Common. The show runs through August 5th.
"My whole approach is not to demonize or glorify a character but how to humanize a character," says Faran Tahir, who is playing Richard III.
This is the 24th year of the company's Free Shakespeare on the Common. The Downtown Boston BID is a co-sponsor of the show.
The show is free and open to the public. Bring a blanket, portable chairs, and picnic while enjoying the performance adjacent to the Parkman Bandstand. Performances are at 8 pm Tuesday through Saturday, 7 pm on Sundays, and there is a 3 pm matinee performance on August 4th. Click here for more information. |
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New Exhibit 'Through The Keyhole' at
Old State House
The Old State House (206 Washington St.) recently debuted an all-new temporary exhibit, "Through The Keyhole," which explores how the objects we preserve shape the stories we remember. For the first time in decades, the front door of the Hancock Mansion, which stood on what is now the west lawn of the State House, will be displayed to the public, newly set in a meticulous recreation of its original surrounding entryway.
The exhibit features additional items from the
Bostonian Society's collection relating to the Hancock Mansion and its inhabitants.
Enhanced by specialized tours, original programming, and site-specific performances, the door serves as a gateway for visitors to re-examine the national narrative. How does selective preservation alter our perception of who we are? What barriers do we create by choosing one story over another? And what doors are yet to be opened?
The exhibition is included in the cost of admission to the Old State House. Visitors to the exhibit may also experience the new "Cato & Dolly" play.
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"Cato & Dolly: A New American Play"
recently debuted at the
Old State House (206 Washington St.)
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Two actors will perform the show's multiple characters in this new 20-minute play that offers a glimpse of everyday life behind the Hancock Mansion door. The play provides a look into the mansion through the eyes of Cato Hancock, an enslaved man in the Hancock household, and Dolly Hancock, John Hancock's wife and First Lady of Massachusetts.
Playwright Patrick Gabridge's previous site-specific play at the Old State House, "Blood On The Snow," had sold-out runs in 2016 and 2017.
The play runs from July 6th through September 29th, and is included in the cost of admission to the Old State House. The show is being performed Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11 am, 12:30 pm and 2 pm. |
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Catch Magic of 'Aladdin' at
Boston Opera House
The family-friendly musical "Aladdin" is flying in the Boston Opera House through August 5th.
The musical stars Aladdin, who frees a wish-granting magical genie. Aladdin then captures the heart of Princess Jasmine. The two come up against the evil Jafar.
Please click here for tickets and showtimes. |
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15th Annual St. Francis Shooze Cruise
August 8th
The 15th Annual St. Francis Shooze Cruise, a boat cruise in which attendees are asked to bring a pair of new men's shoes, is on Wednesday, Aug. 8th.
The Shooze Cruise is hosted by the Emerging Leaders of St. Francis House, Boston's largest homeless day shelter. Attendees bring a pair of new men's shoes to donate as they board the cruise. Please join on board the Provincetown II for a night of dancing and celebration to help Boston's most vulnerable. Food is generously provided by North 26 Restaurant. There will be a cash bar. This is a 21+ only event. Purchase tickets or learn more by clicking here. This event is from 7 to 10 pm, and boarding at 6:30 pm.
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Live Music at The Steps, Federal Street, Summer Street, Walgreens and More
The Downtown Boston BID's 2018 performance season features more than 1,600-plus live musical performances spread across five different locations.
This week, Gypsy Jazz, Code 51, DD Martin Trio, Jan Marie, Briana Musco, Kesnel Personnel, Opera Guys and Friends, Joe Weinberg and Roarin' Dukes of Swing will perform at The Steps (Franklin and Washington streets). There are daily performances from noon to 2 pm and 4:30 to 6:30 pm on Monday through Friday, noon to 2 pm on Saturday and 4:30 to 6:30 pm on Sunday. With plenty of seating at The Steps, it's a wonderful spot to sit down with your lunch and enjoy the show.
Henry Cobb will perform at 133 Federal St. this week. Performances are on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 2 pm.
Soloists Kesnel Personnel and Todd Brunel will perform outside of
Macy's on Summer Street. These performances are on
Thursday and Friday, from noon to 2 pm, and again from 4:30 to 6:30 pm. Saturday performances, from 12:30 pm to 3 pm, feature the popular ensemble group Sweet Harmony, singing hits from the 80s, 90s, 2000s and today.
The BID is teaming up with
The Exchange at 100 Federal (100 Federal St.) to present live music inside the atrium from
4 to 6 pm on Tuesdays. Maddi will perform this week.
There is also live music at the
100 Summer Street Plaza on
Tuesday and Thursday from
noon to 2 pm. There are Adirondack chairs on the plaza that are perfect for relaxing and listening to music. John Kordalewski will headline at the plaza this week.
Another spot to catch talented local musicians is at 125 Summer Street Plaza on Monday and Friday from noon to 2 pm.
The BID is also sponsoring live music outside of the Walgreens (School and Washington streets) on Friday from noon to 1:30 pm and Saturday from noon to 2 pm. Opera Guy is performing this week.
All performances are subject to change and may be cancelled due to inclement weather.
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New Griffin Museum Exhibit
'Quién? Qué? Dónde?' at
Lafayette City Center Passageway
The newest Griffin Museum of Photography exhibit "Quién? Qué? Dónde?" recently debuted at the Lafayette City Center Passageway.
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| Gary Beeber's "Mona with her idols" |
""Quién? Qué? Dónde?" means "Who? What? Where?" in Spanish. Spanish is one of the world's most commonly spoken languages and is often chosen as the second language one learns. The name was chosen for this portrait exhibition in order to underscore the complexities of all of our diverse roots," writes Paula Tognarelli, Executive Director and Curator of the Griffin Museum of Photography.
The exhibit features work by 70 photographers. The exhibit will be on display from
June 10th through September 30, 2018.
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Robert Moran's "Daughter of a Slave, Timbuktu, Mali"
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This exhibit is through a partnership by the Griffin Museum of Photography, the Abbey Group and the Downtown Boston BID. This exhibit is in the Lafayette City Center Passageway (between Macy's and the Hyatt Regency Boston)
and open to the public from 10 am to 6 pm
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Artist Installation Kicks Off Countdown to
ILLUMINUS Light Festival
A new artist installation at 349 Washington Street debuted in July, beginning the countdown to this fall's free nighttime ILLUMINUS Light Festival.
"This is a kickoff for ILLUMINUS. We will have rotating installations highlighting local artists leading up to the 2018 ILLUMINUS Festival on November 2 and 3, 2018," said Anita Lauricella, BID Public Realm Senior Planner.
Artist Jason Lieder said of his work, above,
"There are so many different ways to exist and no single 'right way' to do things, and I hope that my work and persona inspires others to see the value in doing and being different."
The ILLUMINUS Light Festival is a partnership between ILLUMINUS, LuminArtz and the Downtown Boston BID.
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Hyatt Regency Boston Historical Walks
Join the Hyatt Regency Boston (One Avenue de Lafayette) on Wednesdays from 5 to 6 pm for a little exercise and some great local history. Please meet in the hotel lobby and walk to local historical sites around the Downtown Boston area. Everyone is welcome for this free tour.
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Look Out for Redcoats on
The Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail Foundation and Downtown Boston BID offer the opportunity to experience British soldiers in 18th-century Redcoat uniforms reenacting guard duty like it's 1775.
This historical program utilizes experienced Freedom Trail Players, costumed in the attire of 18th-century British soldiers, who bring the daily actions and atmosphere of British-occupied Boston to life. Residents and visitors will meet the soldiers and engage them in talk about their postings in the hostile environment of colonial Boston as they "occupy" Downtown Boston on Washington, Summer, and Winter streets. The Freedom Trail's Changing the Guard takes place from May through October on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 2 pm.
For more information about Changing the Guard, please call the Freedom Trail Foundation at 617-357-8300 or visit TheFreedomTrail.org. |
Downtown Boston
Performance Groups are Strolling
Twice a Day and
Taking Requests!
The very popular Downtown Boston bands and singers are strolling throughout the streets of Downtown Boston twice a day from noon to 2 pm and 5 to 7 pm.
The Downtown Brass Band is strolling through the area on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
The Downtown Sweet Sound Band is strolling through the area on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturday.
The Downtown Boston Singers are strolling through the area Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.
The BID-sponsored bands and singers stroll throughout the Downtown Boston area and stop on street corners and outside of businesses to play a song or two and then move on. Please feel free to take photos or videos of them and share them on social media using #DowntownBoston. Also, they take requests! |
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BID Tour Introduces Area Concierges to Downtown Boston Restaurants
The Downtown Boston BID teamed up with Panorama and the Greater Boston Concierge Association (GBCA) to lead a tour of six different businesses for more than 20 area concierges on July 23rd. This was the second concierge tour hosted by the BID in conjunction with Panorama and the GBCA. Another is being planned for this fall.
"We're getting to visit six different restaurants, but there are 150 in Downtown Boston and we can't go to all of them," said George Comeau, BID Marketing & Brand Activation Manager. Comeau said the goal of the tour was to introduce commercial, hotel and residential concierges to local restaurants so they could direct more people to those establishments.
The tour started with appetizers at Good Life (28 Kingston St.), crossed the street for cocktail and food samples at Kingston Grille & Bar (25 Kingston St.), enjoyed wine, charcuterie and toasts at Taste Wine Bar & Kitchen (101 Summer St.,), visited Common Vines Wine Shop (100 Summer St.,), enjoyed food and drink at Serafina Boston (10 High St.), and ended with coffee and desserts at Blue Bottle Coffee (inside Exchange at 100 Federal St.).
At each stop restaurateurs told the group about the business' model, menus, history and more. Amanda Hittinger, marketing director for Good Life, spoke about the restaurant's food, Wednesday night trivia and that it becomes a club after hours with live DJs spinning tunes.
For Taste Wine Bar & Kitchen's Jennifer Scott, it was an opportunity to introduce the concierges to one of the newer restaurants in the area. "(Taste Wine Bar & Kitchen) is really about creating a wine experience. We wanted to have a place where you could try a bunch of things and feel relaxed like it's home." Taste's business model also includes the retail store Common Vines across the street, so customers who like the wine at Taste can cross the street to purchase a bottle to take home.
For the concierges the tour was a great success.
"It's my neighborhood. Some of these places I haven't seen yet. So now I can tell my tenants to go," said
Jen Stanish, property administrator for
Oxford Properties' 125 Summer Street and 745 Atlantic Avenue locations.
"It is a great way for us to visit and experience new -- as well as established -- restaurants and businesses in the Downtown Crossing area," said
Laura Sprague, c
orporate concierge for Fidelity Investments. "
I hadn't been to the majority of the stops on our stroll, so this was a great way to get to know them better! Now, when we recommend these restaurants and businesses, we can speak firsthand of our great experience! We get a lot of private dining requests, so getting to see the function spaces is very helpful."
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Is Key Works the
Smallest Office in Downtown Boston?
Bob Kelley's Key Works (235A Washington St.) business is a mere 15 sq. ft., tucked next to Pi Alley, making it possibly the smallest office in all of Boston. With an AC unit in the summer, and a space heater in the winter, Kelley makes keys, sells cigarettes and lottery tickets to a clientele that often forms a line outside his tiny booth.
"It was originally built to be the ticket office for the old Pi Alley movie theater. The theater was here when I moved in," said Kelley, who took over the business in 1984.
"I never realized how much people spend on the lottery until I put it in during 2001," said Kelley, who also started selling cigarettes the same year to go along with the key making business.
Key Works is open 6 am to 5:30 pm on weekdays and closed on the weekends. You can contact Kelley at
617-723-9221 or by emailing
KeyWorksBoston@aol.com.
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Make Your Reservations Now!
Dine Out Boston Begins August 5th
For two weeks, starting August 5th, Dine Out Boston is providing locals and visitors an opportunity to sample area restaurants at special prices.
Dine Out Boston was formerly known as Restaurant Week Boston and is sponsored by the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau and American Express twice a year. Dine Out Boston is from Aug. 5th - 10th and Aug. 12th - 17th. Restaurants around the Greater Boston area offer special prix fixe meals for lunch and/or dinner.
Here are the participating Downtown Boston restaurants:
Artisan Bistro (10 Avery St.) is offering lunch for $25 and dinner for $38.
Boston Chops (52 Temple Place) is offering lunch for $25 and dinner for $38. Click here for the lunch menu and here for the dinner menu.
Good Life (28 Kingston St.) is offering lunch for $15 and dinner for $33.
The Marliave (10 Bosworth St.) is offering dinner for $38.
The Oceanaire Seafood Room (40 Court St.) is offering lunch for $25 and dinner for $38. Click here for the lunch menu and here for the dinner menu.
PABU (3 Franklin St.) is offering dinner for $38. Click here for the menu.
Ruth's Chris Steak House (45 School St.) is offering lunch for $25 and dinner for $38. Click here for the lunch menu and here for the dinner menu.
Serafina Boston (10 High St.) is offering dinner for $38.
Click here for more information about Dine Out Boston and to see all of the participating restaurants. |
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New BID Baggo League at One Boston Place a Huge Success!
Players Wanted for
BID Baggo League at 125 Summer Street
The Downtown Boston BID's new Wednesday baggo league at One Boston Place had a fantastic opening day on July 25th! More than 25 players participated in the free outdoor lunchtime league. Interested in playing? Players are wanted for the Tuesday league at 125 Summer Street.
"I had a blast! Can't wait for next week!" said Victor Tavares, who participated at One Boston Place.
The league plays from noon to 2 pm, and games last about 30 minutes, which gives you plenty of time to have lunch, play a game and get back to your desk.
If you're interested in playing in the free Downtown Boston BID Lunchtime Baggo Leagues please contact Mike Testa at mtesta@bostonbid.org. |
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Jewelry, Woodwork and More:
Downtown Boston
Arts Market
on Summer Street
The Downtown Boston Arts Market is on Summer Street between Macy's, Primark and Roche Bros. from 11 am to 6 pm on Thursdays and Fridays.
The market is a great place to get a gift for yourself or a loved one. Handmade jewelry, antique maps, artisanal food, soaps and candles are just some of the items being sold at the market this year. This week's vendors are: Simply Chickie, Fridgedoor, LovePop Cards, Marcart, Intaglio Antique Prints & Maps, DLR Designs, Recycled Glass, Karol Peralta Jewelry, Wyllo, Stash Jewelry, Charged Glassworks, Urban Kitchen Handmade, Wires & Seaglass Jewelry, B and B Glass and Aribella Design.
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BID Little Free Libraries at
Walgreens Plaza and 175 Federal St.
The Downtown Boston BID's very popular Little Free Library at Walgreens Plaza (School and Washington streets) is for anyone to take a book and leave a book. The Walgreens Plaza Little Free Library was so popular that a second one was added to the district at 175 Federal St. (Summer Street side).
The general public is invited to donate free books to the BID's Little Free Libraries by dropping off books at the libraries or by contacting Kristen Flanagan at kflanagan@bostonbid.org to organize a pickup in the downtown area.
The BID's Little Free Libraries are officially registered with the
Little Free Library non-profit organization. There are actually more than 50,000 registered little free libraries across the country and world!
The BID's Little Free Libraries are
open daily from 10 am to 6 pm
(closed during inclement weather).
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Limited Time Only: Enjoy Jafar's Revenge at Sip Wine Bar and Kitchen
For as long as "Aladdin" is being performed at the Boston Opera House (Aug. 5th), Sip Wine Bar and Kitchen (581 Washington St.) is offering a special drink, Jafar's Revenge. The drink consists of Tito's Vodka, basil syrup, fresh muddled watermelon and jalapeño, and costs $12.
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Explorateur Offering
Pre-Theater
Prix Fixe Menu
Explorateur (186 Tremont St.) is offering a pre-theater prix fixe menu that includes your choice of one appetizer, one entree and one dessert.
There are four appetizer options: tuna crudo, crispy pork belly, onion soup gratinee, and arugula salad. The four entree options are: steak frites, grilled Atlantic salmon, summer pasta, and grilled scallops. For dessert you can opt for a box of two dark chocolate espresso truffles or a bag of freshly baked cookies.
The cost is $45 per person. Click here for the full pre-theater menu. Click here or call 617-766-3179 to make reservations. |
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Avery Bar's Mussel Night on Tuesdays with Interactive Chef Demo
Avery Bar (10 Avery St.) is now offering Mussel Night on Tuesdays with an interactive chef demo. The meal includes white wine steamed mussels and warm Avery Bar house-made chips from 5 to 7 pm. Guests can share a pot for $23 or have an individual pot for $18.
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PABU Extending Happy Hour to
Happy Day Through Labor Day
PABU (3 Franklin St., 2nd Floor) is extending Happy Hour to Happy Day for Downtown Crossing business employees when you provide your business card.
PABU's Happy Hour features assorted snacks and sushi with affordable sake, beer and wine. Menu items include Tokyo Fried Karaage Chicken for $6, hand rolls for $6 and PABU Ribs for $7. Click here for the full menu.
This offer is available to the party of the person who shows their business card and happening through Labor Day. This is available at the bar or lounge Monday through Friday. |
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Dreamland Wax Museum is
Perfect for Your Next Group Outing
The Dreamland Wax Museum (1 Washington Mall) combines art and science, and is a great place for your next group outing. Book by August 1st and receive a discounted, unpublished group rate ticket price.
The Dreamland Wax Museum provides bonding activities that are great for team building. The museum has a new augmented reality scavenger hunt experience featuring 10 animated images throughout the museum! There are more than 100 life-sized figures from history, sports, celebrities, local legends and more.
Groups will also receive 10% off gift shop purchases. To book a group outing please contact Joanne Codi, Sales & Marketing Manager, at 857-233-5437 ext. 108 or email joanne@dreamlandwaxmuseum.com. You can also download the museum's free AR app at App.dreamlandwaxmuseum.com. |
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Construction, Utility
Work and City Updates
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Advisory:
Change to Devonshire Street
Traffic Pattern
Now In Effect
The Downtown Boston BID has received the following information from the Boston Transportation Department:
Please be advised that as part of the demolition of the 115 Winthrop Square Garage there are traffic pattern changes to Devonshire Street
as of June 9th until further notice.
Devonshire Street is closed to vehicular traffic and bicyclists from the 100 Summer Street Garage to 75-101 Federal St. Devonshire Street is a two-way street from Summer Street to the entrance of the 100 Summer Street garage.
The sidewalk on the west side of Devonshire Street will remain open to pedestrians. Access to the 100 Summer Street parking garage, 100 Summer Street loading dock, Common Vines wine shop, and residential properties on Devonshire Street is available.
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New Developments Under Construction, Proposed Projects and More
Downtown Boston is continually transforming, with new buildings rising, as well as transportation projects taking place underground and at street level. Looking for the latest updates on developments, construction, sidewalk closings, and more? Click here. 
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City Services &
Important Hotlines
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Important Phone Numbers
Boston Fire, Police & Emergency Services: 911
Non-emergency requests: 311
Eversource gas and electric: 1-800-592-2000
National Grid: 1-800-322-3223
Boston Water & Sewer Commission: 617-989-7000
Mass Water Resources Authority: 617-242-6000
City of Boston Tow Lot: 617-635-3900
National Weather Service: 508-822-0634
Verizon: 800-837-4966
Boston Animal Care and Control: 617-635-5348
Cold Relief Heatline: 800-632-8175
Elderly Commission: 617-635-4366
Emergency Shelter Commission: 617-635-4507
MBTA: 617-222-3200
MEMA: 508-820-1428
Mass. Road and Traffic Conditions: 617-374-1234
City of Boston Neighborhood Services: 617-635-3485
State Police: 617-740-7600
Transit Police: 617-222-1212
City of Boston Veterans Services: 617-635-3957
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BID Ambassadors Provide Clean & Hospitality Services
in Downtown
The
Downtown Boston BID Ambassadors
provide clean and hospitality services seven days a week, nearly 24 hours a day. Ambassadors create a friendly, welcoming Downtown presence by helping visitors with directions, notifying fire and police personnel of incidents and more.
B
ID Ambassadors
provide walking escorts when needed and
they'll even tote an umbrella if it's raining! Please call 617-261-0066 if you want to contact our BID ambassador services program. You can also email help@bostonbid.org.
- Ambassadors remove litter and graffiti
- Ambassadors clear crosswalks, handicapped ramps and storm drain openings
- Ambassadors shovel in Downtown Boston during winter
- Ambassadors maintain the BID's landscaping
- Masonry Ambassadors fix sidewalks and more
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Additional BID Services & Info
- Communication and Business Networking
- Meetings with individual BID members to discuss neighborhood issues
- Entertainment programming
- Member Advocacy
- Capital/Public Improvements
- Wayfinding
- Please click here for the Downtown Boston BID's Welcome Guide that provides a look at many of the BID's accomplishments in leading the transformation of Downtown Crossing
- For additional details and information on the complete range of BID services please contact Doug Meyer, Membership Services & Database Manager, at dmeyer@bostonbid.org.
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Downtown Boston BID Weekly News Update
For questions and comments, please contact David Ertischek, Communications & Social Media Manager, at:
dertischek@bostonbid.org
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