Margarita Montero,
Allston-Brighton Resident for +40 years:
In
2019, when the City of Boston’s Engineering report
condemned the Jackson Mann Community Center building, then City Councilor At-Large Michelle Wu demanded that the Walsh administration provide a clear layout for replacing the Jackson Mann
Community Center. Today, we are asking Mayor Wu to
fulfill that demand.
The Jackson Mann Community Center was once the beating heart of our neighborhood. It was where diverse working parents of all ages found a safe environment and affordable childcare. It was where children learned their ABCs, practiced arts and played sports; where adults pursued higher education; and where youth, adults, and seniors gathered to play sports on Saturdays for over 20 years, etc.
Today, it is a shell of its former self. While other neighborhoods celebrate brand new facilities, the reconstruction of our community center is being postponed for yet another year. The city’s current capital plan allocates just 10 million dollars for the Jackson Mann site which means more studies and more delays. We are told the city faces a budget gap. Yet we watch hundreds of millions of dollars fast-tracked for the White Stadium project. While our neighbors in Grove Hall and the North End deserve a 65-or-100-million-dollar for their community center construction, Allston-Brighton Residents are left waiting.
Over the past ten years, Allston Brighton has experienced a massive commercial and residential real estate boom: The Boston Landing megaproject with New Balance, the Celtics, the Bruins practice facilities, alongside Stop & Shop, and other businesses. Massive buildings have been constructed along Corey Road, Washington Street, Commonwealth Avenue, and Cambridge St. Boston College and Harvard University continue to expand and the list goes on. Additionally, we have one of the highest concentrations of restaurants and bars in the city. Allston-Brighton’s real estate, meals taxes and other fees, contributions to Boston’s budget have multiplied like never before, but the city leaves Allston-Brighton as the lowest-funded capital district in Boston.
We urge the city to bridge the gap. Upgrade our budget from 10-million-dollar study to a 65-million-dollar construction commitment to build a combined Elementary School and community center; no more (housing), no less. We need a state-of-the-art facility that includes dedicated space for our musicians and artists.
We need the JMCC to bring back a sense of community, new/transient members feel part of our community, where we can connect, collaborate, and build cross-generational friendships to prevent isolation during difficult times. The social cost is simply too high to let another year pass without a resolution.
Respectfully submitted,
Margarita Montero
---------- Original Message ----------
Date: 05/22/2026 12:51 PM EDT
Subject: Testify at 2 Key Upcoming Budget Hearings!
Help advocate for Allston-Brighton and your own budget priorities by testifying!
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Our mailing address is:
Committee to Elect Liz Breadon
33 Champney St
Brighton, MA 02135-1628
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