The Future of Pier 5: Come Have Your Say

Today is Monday, March 21. Happy Spring. Here are five things you need to know today.

1. is one of the last, large areas open for development in the Navy Yard and in the not-too-distant future, city officials could be determining what it will be used for. More housing? A commercial development? Mixed use? If you, as a resident of Charlestown, are interested in having some part in the conversation about what should happen with Pier 5, then you’ll be very interested in attending a meeting this Wednesday at the . The Boston Redevelopment Authority will be issuing a request for proposals soon from developers. In the meantime, the so the neighborhood can discuss ideas for the site, and get a sense of what people from Charlestown (not just City Hall) would like to see happen in the Navy Yard. The meeting is open to the public. It starts at 7 p.m. Check out our story on the history of Pier 5 and the BRA’s involvement with the site before you go.

2. Speaking of meetings. A gentle reminder: The Board of Directors at the Kennedy Center is meeting tonight to discuss budget cuts – specifically what’s going to happen when the local anti-poverty agency loses federal funding. Like the Pier 5 meeting, this is one of those public events where a good turnout speaks volumes, even if the majority of the crowd attends quietly. For more details on what kind of cuts the Kennedy Center is facing, you can .

3. Bunker Hill Community College is bringing another celebrity to the neighborhood this week. On Thursday at 1 p.m., will be speaking at the school. His talk will mark the latest installment of Bunker Hill’s Compelling Conversations series. It’s open to the public, but you’ve got to reserve a seat in advance. To sign up for a spot, click here.

4. There are a lot of people in this neighborhood working hard to make Charlestown a great environment for business – all kinds of business. But they could use more help. Members of the newly-formed to join a variety of committees. If you’ve got a little time in your schedule, and if you’ve got some wisdom to lend about the restaurant world, retail, web design or event planning, they’re especially interested in hearing from you. For details on who to get in touch with, and for a full list of open volunteer positions, click .

5. Today’s forecast: Could be a messy morning. Rain and snow, becoming all rain after 4 p.m.

For more details on what's happening around the neighborhood, check out our events calendar.