Editor’s note: Newsmakers is a regular feature spotlighting accomplishments of Newton community members, businesses and organizations.

City breaks ground on West Newton Armory

Seven years ago, the city opted to buy the West Newton Armory for $1, to turn it into affordable housing, since the National Guard was no longer using it.

Last week, the city finally broke ground on the project.

When it’s completed, the West Newton Armory will have 43 units of permanently affordable housing

Work on the $31 million project is expected to take about 18 months, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller noted in her weekly email update to the community. And then the units will be ready for families to move in.

“All of the apartments will be priced at rents affordable for households at or below 80% of Area Median Income with 15 apartments reserved for households at 30% AMI ($48,950 for a household of four) and 28 reserved for households at 60% AMI ($97,920 for a household of four),” she wrote.

Greater Boston Food Bank President and CEO Catherine D’Amato (right) presents Kip Tiernan Award to Regina Wu. Courtesy Photo

Regina Wu Honored with The Greater Boston Food Bank’s Kip Tiernan Award

The Greater Boston Food Bank recently honored Newton’s Regina Wu with the Kip Tiernan Award, named in honor of GBFB’s founder, who began distributing food out of the back of her station wagon in 1974 (an operation that would later become the wide-scale hunger-relief organization that is GBFB)

The award recognizes an individual or organization that demonstrates extraordinary leadership in philanthropic and human service, and exemplifies GBFB’s mission through outstanding involvement, dedication, and leadership in working with others to help end hunger in the community.

Wu, a primary care physician at Mass General Brigham, was honored for her leadership in hunger-relief and community-based philanthropy, making extraordinary strides in helping to alleviate food insecurity.

As a long-time advocate for food access, her involvement began with volunteering at mobile markets, before stepping into her role on the Newton Food Pantry’s Board of Directors where she is widely recognized for professionalizing the organization. In this role she has made many contributions including onboarding professional staff, launching the “Freedge” program to expand access to fresh food and securing a land donation for a new food pantry set to open in 2026.

“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive the Kip Tiernan Award from The Greater Boston Food Bank,” Wu said. “This recognition is especially meaningful because it shines a light on the critical importance of ensuring that everyone has consistent access to nutritious food—not just as a basic need, but as a foundation for a healthy, strong life.

Wu now serves on the board of GBFB partner Food for Free, continuing to advance food justice throughout Eastern Massachusetts.

F.A. Day Middle School students perform the National Anthem at Fenway Park. Courtesy photo

Day Middle School kids sing National Anthem at Sox game

Recently, 300 students from the F.A. Day Middle School—Team IV, Band, Orchestra, Calculus Project and STEM for ALL students—headed to Fenway Park for a Red Sox game. And the seventh and eighth grade band and orchestra kids performed the National Anthem there.

You can check out video of their performance on YouTube.

With help from local children, city officials cut the ceremonial ribbon at the Northland Development Splashpad. Photo by Howard Sholkin

Northland Splashpad is now open

The city now has a splashpad next to Pettee Square in Upper Falls.