Although the BPDA claims to have extensively publicized the meeting, only about 200 people attended—a strikingly low turnout in a neighborhood of more than 15,000 adults. Despite repeated requests from the community for a hybrid or in-person meeting, the BPDA proceeded with Zoom-only access, excluding many residents who need or prefer other formats.

Even the Zoom format was compromised: in response to a community request for an open chat function, the BPDA instead disabled chat entirely. No in-person access, no hybrid option, no accommodation for summer schedules, and no real-time feedback—this is part of a troubling pattern.

It is time to move beyond pandemic-era restrictions. In-person meetings foster more inclusive engagement, better understanding, and real-time dialogue. Other cities have resumed hybrid civic meetings—Boston should too.