Barrio Tacos opens at POUA’s Harbor Place

On Tuesday, August 4th, owners Dan and Maggie Osborn opened Barrio Tacos, Tequila, and Whiskey, at Haverhill’s Harbor Place to the public, with a ribbon cutting ceremony for local elected officials and team members. The ribbon cutting at 4pm preceded the restaurant’s opening to the public at 6pm. The restaurant falls within the grounds of Harbor Place, a development which combines commercial endeavors and mixed-income housing, created by the team of the Greater Haverhill Foundation (GHF) and the Planning Office for Urban Affairs (POUA). The restaurant contains indoor seating with a unique décor and artwork, and outdoor seating in the plaza area at Harbor Place, along the Merrimack River.

 

The speaking program for the ribbon cutting was emceed by Dougan Sherwood (Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce), and included speakers Ron Trombley (GHF), Bill Grogan (POUA), Mayor James Fiorentini, State Senator Diana DiZoglio, Representative Andy Vargas, and Barrio owners Dan and Maggie Osborn. Local councilors and representatives in attendance included Representative Lenny Mira, City Council President Melinda Barrett, and City Counselors Tim Jordan, Colin LePage, Joe Bevilacqua, and John Michitson.

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POUA Asset Manager Co-Chair for Mass. Energy Equity Working Group at the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC)

The mission of the Planning Office for Urban Affairs (POUA) is to serve as a catalyst for social justice through its work in housing development and neighborhood revitalization. POUA’s Asset Manager, Mary Wambui, will be co-chairing the Massachusetts Energy Equity Working Group at the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council (EEAC), and her work is another way for POUA to effect social justice. The Equity Working Group was established by the EEAC following completion of the Non-participant Study, which found that the energy efficiency programs do not serve every customer equitably. In convening a working group, the council agreed to identify new strategies for increasing equitable participation among underserved communities across the Commonwealth. Massachusetts is the national leader in energy efficiency, and working to lead in energy justice efforts as well.

 

Mary will also be presenting at the Virtual BuildingEnergy Boston Conference on August 14th 2020. The BuildingEnergy Boston Conference + Trade Show is an event designed by and for practitioners in the fields of high-performance building and design, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. Mary Wambui will speak on Expanding Access to Clean Energy in Affordable Housing along with three other industry experts. This conference and trade show is the region's leading event for professionals and practitioners in the fields of high-performance buildings, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. Please find Mary’s presenter profile here: https://nesea.org/user/16946/presenter

 

If you’re interested in attending the BuildingEnergy Boston 2020 virtual conference and trade show, Wednesday–Friday, August 12–14 follow this link: https://nesea.org/civicrm/event/register?id=289T

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Planning Office for Urban Affairs, Inc. Statement on Racial Justice and Inequity

As a social justice ministry that seeks to create vibrant communities through the development of high quality affordable and mixed-income housing, we know that racial justice and actively addressing the ugly history of segregation, redlining, urban renewal and other discriminatory practices manifested by the housing industry is inextricably linked with our mission. Indeed, Pope Francis said in a recent statement on George Floyd and the protests that “we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form.”

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MassHousing Closes $22.6 Million in Financing to Create a New, 76-Unit Affordable Housing Community on Long-Vacant Property in Mattapan

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150 River Street Development Gains BPDA Approval

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