by Eric Zuerndorfer
CHINATOWN – Ten years ago, eighth-grader Madeline Valera’s family had no resources to support her interest in the arts. Valera entered the Boston Arts Academy, the only public arts school in Boston, which accepts a high number of students from low-income families. At the academy, she developed into an innovative art student. After graduating, Valera became a successful painter, selling her landscape portraits across the country.
“I can definitely say that I am where I am because of this school,” said Valera, 24-years-old.
Despite the academy’s efforts to help low-income students, some say their latest proposal to expand onto Chinatown’s Parcel 12 located across from the YMCA may actually hurt them.
“Parcel 12 was designated for housing,” said Alex Zhang, the community organizer at Asian Community Development Corporation. “There’s not much available land [in Chinatown] for affordable housing, so we must take care of what we have.”
The academy’s proposal envisions a middle school and a high school co-located at Parcel 12.
“A new school in downtown Boston would definitely be attractive for prospective students,” said Susan Werbe, special assistant to Headmaster Linda Nathan.
Chinatown has its own development agenda to build affordable housing on the Parcel 12 land, because it is one of a few publicly owned land areas left in Chinatown for expansion. Some Chinatown residents are aware of the proposal and are worried the housing plans will be set aside.
“The community trusts the city and believes what they say,” Zhang said. “But they are not afraid to voice their opinions when they feel they are being ignored.”
The Chinatown Coalition has proposed a meeting with the academy to let them explain their proposal. The coalition has invited City Councilors Michael Ross, Sam Yoon, and Chuck Turner to mediate the meeting.
“[The Chinatown Coalition has] invited the BAA many times,” Zhang said. “But the BAA says a meeting would be premature.”
Chinatown residents are upset at hearing reports on the academy proposal from everyone except the BAA.
When asked for details on the Parcel 12 proposal, the BAA declined to release information.
“They are just ideas that we have,” Werbe said. “At this point, nothing is for certain.”