Planning, Development and Transportation on April 6, 2026

The Boston City Council held a Planning, Development and Transportation hearing on April 6, 2026, focused on the proposed dedication of a new plaza at Philip Square in Chinatown as the "Tuni Lee Plaza." The discussion centered on honoring Tuni Lee, a respected community leader and urban planner who advocated for Chinatown's residents and worked to preserve the neighborhood's history and vitality. The hearing included testimony from city officials, community leaders, family members, and residents emphasizing the importance of the plaza project for increasing open space and mitigating heat island effects in Chinatown, which has the lowest tree canopy and open space per capita in Boston. While specific budget figures for the plaza design and construction were not provided during the meeting, the city’s engineering director committed to sharing that information. The council discussed the formal process for dedicating the plaza name, which differs from renaming a square or street, and expressed strong support for the project as a means to celebrate Chinatown’s heritage and address environmental justice issues. Public testimony further reinforced community backing for the plaza dedication and the need for enhanced green space in the neighborhood.