Q&A: City Councilor Rob Consalvo Part I

District 5 City Councilor Rob Consalvo's district encompasses four Boston neighborhoods: Hyde Park, Mattapan, Roslindale, and Readville. Consalvo sat down with Roslindale Patch to talk about his Roslindale issues, his political career and the Farmers' Market.

Patch: Let’s start with how long have you been Roslindale’s city councilor?

Consalvo: I was elected in a special election in June of 2002. So I justed celebrated my 10th anniversary this past June. Dan Conley was appointed by DA (district attorney) by the governor. And I’m grateful that I was just reelected to my sixth term.

Patch: How has Roslindale changed since you were elected the first time?

Consalvo: I think it’s grown stronger in many different ways. First, the business district has grown stronger. We have many more new and vibrant businesses, restaurants, boutiques, shops and other stores that have opened in the last 10 years.

Roslindale Village is one of strongest business districts in the entire city. We've seen a dramatic expansion of the (Roslindale Village) Farmers' Market from 10 years ago to what it is today. It's arguably the strongest farmers' market in the city. Thousands of people come every Saturday and (buy) fresh produce and food.

We've seen a dramatic increase in the number of neighborhood associations and crime watches, who work as our partners to get problems in their neighborhoods solved. That’s a real strong sign of a vibrant neighborhood and vibrant community in the people living here, moving here and getting involved and forming these groups. It’s a key indication that strong neighborhoods have strong neighborhood groups.

As their city councilor for last 10 years I have paid attention to Roslindale is to make sure that it has a strong voice in city government so that the city can be delivering for the residents of Roslindale. One thing I take great pride in – while representing Hyde Park, Mattapan, Readville, and Roslindale – all four different, four strong neighbohoords - is that our budget has directed important capital dollars to Roslindale.

Somethings I'm most proud of in my 10 years is the complete renovation of Roslindale Community Center, the complete renovation of Fallon Field, and we're in the process of the reconstruction of Flaherty Pool. And a multi-million dollar project to reconstruct Cummins Highway from Washington street to American Legion Highway, going on right now.

As the chair of the (Council's) Housing Committee... (there was also the) Hope VI grant for the Washington-Beech housing from federal, city, and private spending over $30 million (to erect a new housing development). 

Patch: How do you envision Roslindale in the future?

Consalvo: I would like to see Roslindale's business district be strong and thrive, as the local business district is the lifeblood of a neighborhood. I would like to see a continued investment in the capital budget in Roslindale.

There will be a study on how to removate the Roslindale Library. That study is in this year’s budget, to determine future of library in Roslindale. The Friends of the Roslindale Library requested it. The process will start in the next months, and we will have public meetings and input for a vision of a new library.

We have redistricting - and take away all political issues, the issue is important in Roslindale, is that it needs to remain whole in District 5. They want to remain a united community, whether I’m here or not. Roslindale has four state reps, that's sometimes problematic with four different opinions.

Public safety – Roslindale is one of the safest neighborhoods in the city. We have our problems, and we continue to work with the Boston Police to continue to keep it a safe community.

Patch: What is the biggest issue right now in Roslindale?

Consalvo: Right now there are two big issues – aside from public safety, education in schools, and the vibrancy of the business district. Domino's – everybody has heard loud and clear that people don’t want a Domino's in Roslindale Village. But it is zoned for it, and it is an allowed use. You can’t stop it, however after a community meeting where 200 people showed up to voice opposition... I share the same concerns of community that it’s not the right use of that site. I continue to reiterate that to Domino's. I don’t want to build false hope. The law is the law in this particular case.