Samantha Juliano is used to the reaction that typically comes when she tells people she’s from Old Colony.
Oh, you live in the projects?
“No. I live in a town house,” the 23-year-old replies. Roughly half of Old Colony, one of the oldest public housing developments in Boston, has had its old brick housing units replaced with sleek town houses. Juliano, who has lived in Old Colony since she was 7, said the new buildings have changed the public’s perceptions.
“People view you not as a ‘project rat,’ ” she said. “You’re a member of the community.”
And being part of a community was the focus of Old Colony’s annual Unity Day Saturday afternoon, where about 250 housing development residents enjoyed free food, face painting, and the chance …show more content…
By 2012, a slew of new homes and a 10,000-square-foot learning center were in place.
“It’s nice not to see so many brick walls,” said Jessica Harris, a six-year resident who brought her two sons to Unity Day; Jonathan, 8, was sporting blue panther face paint as he waited in line for ice cream.
Other housing authority developments, such as Franklin Field in Dorchester and Alice Taylor in Roxbury, have Unity Days during the summer, too, McGonagle said. Old Colony’s festivities were the first of this season.
The Old Colony area does have a troubled past. James “Whitey’’ Bulger grew up nearby in another public housing development, and for years he controlled operations at the former South Boston Liquor Mart across the street from the Old Colony development.
But many residents see the future as bright and say their community is safe.
Some residents “hear ‘projects’ and don't want to come out their doors,” said Debbie Martin, who has lived in Old Colony for more than 30 years. But she thinks events like Saturday’s help bring people together and build trust in the community.
“They should do it twice a year,” she
Oh, you live in the projects?
“No. I live in a town house,” the 23-year-old replies. Roughly half of Old Colony, one of the oldest public housing developments in Boston, has had its old brick housing units replaced with sleek town houses. Juliano, who has lived in Old Colony since she was 7, said the new buildings have changed the public’s perceptions.
“People view you not as a ‘project rat,’ ” she said. “You’re a member of the community.”
And being part of a community was the focus of Old Colony’s annual Unity Day Saturday afternoon, where about 250 housing development residents enjoyed free food, face painting, and the chance …show more content…
By 2012, a slew of new homes and a 10,000-square-foot learning center were in place.
“It’s nice not to see so many brick walls,” said Jessica Harris, a six-year resident who brought her two sons to Unity Day; Jonathan, 8, was sporting blue panther face paint as he waited in line for ice cream.
Other housing authority developments, such as Franklin Field in Dorchester and Alice Taylor in Roxbury, have Unity Days during the summer, too, McGonagle said. Old Colony’s festivities were the first of this season.
The Old Colony area does have a troubled past. James “Whitey’’ Bulger grew up nearby in another public housing development, and for years he controlled operations at the former South Boston Liquor Mart across the street from the Old Colony development.
But many residents see the future as bright and say their community is safe.
Some residents “hear ‘projects’ and don't want to come out their doors,” said Debbie Martin, who has lived in Old Colony for more than 30 years. But she thinks events like Saturday’s help bring people together and build trust in the community.
“They should do it twice a year,” she