A BCEC REDEVELOPING STORY

The battle over a stretch of land near the South Boston convention center just keeps smoldering. After months of pushing legislation to require a community advisory board and other conditions on a Massachusetts Convention Center Authority redevelopment plan, Democratic state Sen. Nick Collins is looking for a new way to ground the whole project.

More than a decade ago, the MCCA was allowed to acquire three parcels along D and E streets adjacent to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. It was meant to build more mid-priced hotels, and to make Boston’s convention scene more competitive against other cities, like Orlando, Fla., Collins told Playbook. Boston was losing mid-price conventions “not because of Mickey and Minnie, [but] because of the price points of the different kinds of conventions,” he said.

Now Senator Collins is pushing SD 2406, a short bill that would require any state or quasistate agency to return private property acquired by eminent domain if the land doesn’t get used for its stated purpose. Boston.com reported earlier this month that two bids near the convention center included grocery stores, labs, and office and retail space. That’s the type of general economic development MCCA chief David Gibbons has said would help the local hotels and generate long-term revenues for the convention business — but, to Collins, not the original intent. “They’re acting like an open-ended developer. That’s not what their role is as a convention center,” Collins said.

Collins’ bill is just the latest barb in a long fight. He’d already sent Gibbons a letter in December arguing that the agency had run afoul of commitments for how it was supposed to develop the land it snatched up near the convention center through eminent domain. State Rep. David Biele, Boston City Council President Ed Flynn and Councilor Michael Flaherty,

Iwo Jima veterans mark the 78th anniversary of pivotal battle

An annual ceremony at the State House that once included 30 to 40 Marines who battled in Iwo Jima, included just two Marines on Tuesday. They marked the 78th anniversary of the pivotal World War II battle that paved the way for victory in the Pacific Theater.

Pressley eyes trauma survivors as ‘next pandemic’

In touting a new law that expands federal mental health support for survivors of natural disasters, domestic terrorist attacks and other crises that are declared designated emergencies by FEMA, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley said the Post Disaster Mental Health Response Act identified trauma survivors as the nation’s “next pandemic.”

Next steps for protecting Boston from rising seas all Democrats, also signed the letter, which complained about the request for proposals process being rushed at the end of the Baker administration.

Experts say flood barriers like those in Providence, Rhode Island could be one way to stave off the rising seas where Boston Harbor meets Fort Point Channel, potentially stopping more intense storms from letting the ocean reclaim what was once South Bay — a large swath of Dorchester, South Boston and Roxbury.

The drama flared up again last week when the MCCA met behind closed doors to discuss the two bids that have come in — something it can do if an open meeting may have a “detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body.”

Gov. Maura Healey has a part to play here, of course, but hasn’t taken a position. The governor has yet to say whether she plans to follow through on her predecessor’s plans to sell another MCCA asset — the Hynes Convention Center — and funnel the proceeds to the convention site in South Boston.

“We look forward to continued collaboration with key stakeholders to develop an approach that works for both facilities and, importantly, the neighborhoods in which they reside,” Healey spokesperson Karissa Hand said in an email to Playbook. “We are also committed to building a strong team across our administration, including the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority Board.”

REP. BIELE APPOINTED VICE CHAIR OF COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY

Also assigned to Committee on Ways and Means, Committee on Economic Development and Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Representative David Biele (DBoston) was appointed to four legislative committees for the current two-year session of the Massachusetts Legislature, the 193rd General Court. Rep. Biele, currently in his third term, was named Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security which considers matters relating to shipping or otherwise transporting energy sources; the safety of the public; fire laws; motor vehicle laws; the correction system; probation; homeland or Commonwealth security matters; the prevention of terrorists attacks; the reduc- tion of the vulnerability to terrorism; and the coordination of homeland security related activities of the Commonwealth with those of the Federal Government. Additionally, Rep. Biele was appointed as a member to three legislative committees:

• Joint Committee on Ways and Means, which examines matters relating to the finances of the Commonwealth and such other matters as may be referred thereto. Each year, the Committee on Ways and Means helps craft and develop the state budget;

• Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technolo- gies, which examines matters relating to commercial and industrial businesses; gambling and gaming; science and technology; economic development; research and development; medical technology and medical devices; computer access (internet, networking, data storage); and workforce training and development; and

• House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs, which examines matters concerning partnerships between the Commonwealth and other governmental entities.

“I am honored for the opportunity to serve on these committees and work on issues impacting our community and our Commonwealth. I am grateful to Speaker Ronald Mariano for selecting me to serve on these committees and for the support of my colleagues in confirming these assignments,” said Rep. Biele. “I want to especially thank the residents of the 4th Suffolk District for placing your trust and confidence in me and for the honor and privilege of representing our neighbor- hoods in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. I look forward to the work ahead with residents and colleagues in government to make a positive difference in our communities and across our state.”

In addition to committee assignments, Rep. Biele also serves as a Commissioner on the Metropolitan Beaches Commission, charged with reviewing the state of public beaches, including beaches in South Boston and Dorchester, and developing recommendations to protect those beaches while increasing public access and enjoyment.