July 2026 Meeting
- Jul 21
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 22
Summary
The Wharf District Council met on July 21, 2026 at the Norman Leventhal Center, with VP Matthew Murphy welcoming attendees. Boston Police District A-1's Officer Mustacchio reported a quiet month with crime remaining low, noting Code 19 activity rose sharply from 20 incidents (through July 2025) to 129 (through July 2026), reflecting increased police presence; both the FIFA World Cup and Sail Boston passed without major incident. ARUP's Derek Anderson presented on the WDC Waterfront Resilience Plan, stressing that shoreline protection alone won't prevent future flooding — inland stormwater drainage, storage tanks, pump stations, and tide gates are also needed. ARUP is benchmarking coastal resilience efforts nationwide, noting Boston is ahead of many U.S. peer communities but still needs significant community engagement; key lessons include locking in public benefits and drainage plans early and favoring natural "softer" shoreline features over hard barriers. Related studies and a national projects tracker will be posted on the WDC website, and a U.S. Army Corps public comment period runs July 25–September 18.
The Boston Children's Museum's Robin Meisner previewed the upcoming "Dream it! Build it!" exhibition (covering construction, design, sustainability, and community planning) alongside ongoing summer programs Curiosity Kitchen and Hundred Acre Wood. Two new businesses were introduced: Yamba Electric Scooter Rentals (199 State Street), offering scooters and mobility equipment with an emphasis on safety, and MOTW Coffee and Pastries, which is seeking to open a second Massachusetts location at 45 Broad Street as a community-oriented café and remote-work space; MOTW requested a WDC letter of support, which was approved unanimously in executive session.
In neighborhood news, the Rose Kennedy Greenway reported rising foot traffic and newly completed lighting improvements to pathways and murals, while Friends of Christopher Columbus Park announced events marking the park's 25th anniversary, including a Family Fun Day, a Silver Celebration Cruise, and a summer outdoor movie series. WDC Executive Director Susanne Lavoie announced a new weekday "Harbor Loop" ferry connecting Lovejoy Wharf, Central Wharf, the Seaport, and Logan Airport during morning and evening commute windows (roughly every 30 minutes at peak), with fares starting at $2.40, matching MBTA Zone 1A pricing. The meeting adjourned at 7 PM; there is no August meeting, and the next session is September 15, 2026, featuring Representative Aaron Michlewitz.
