At a public meeting on Wednesday night, North End residents and stakeholders harshly criticized a preliminary design for the reconstruction of North Square.
Boston Public Works has budgeted $2 million to make site improvements for historic North Square. Centrally located in Boston’s North End, it is one of the country’s oldest public squares and the founding spot for Boston’s longest occupied neighborhood. According to DPW, “the purpose of the project will be to improve the ability for people to enjoy the square, continuing its historical identity and make it accessible to all.” After a brief review of the existing conditions and project guidelines, meeting attendees were asked to react to a handout design image created by consultant Beta Inc. (shown below).
With near uniformity, meeting attendees spoke against the proposed design as being too contemporary and lacking the historical sensibility that would be desired as part of any reconstruction. DPW’s consultant identified the image as preliminary and geared to elicit community feedback. The redesign itself was also questioned. Public Works reiterated the work was necessary to improve the accessibility of the square to handicap and disabled persons.
Specific issues discussed:
Chains and bollards – The maritime design chains in North Square are from the USS Constitution and were placed around the time of the 1976 Bicentennial. The consultant said the chains were removed from the preliminary redesign because they restrict access to the center of the square. At the meeting, many people spoke in favor of keeping the chains, but perhaps allowing for access openings.
Cobblestones – Most attendees wanted to keep the cobblestones while recognizing the need for substantial repair to allow for more accessible walking and driving conditions.
Widening sidewalks – There are parts of the square, particularly near the Paul Revere House where the sidewalks are not passable with wheelchairs.
Benches / tables – A volunteer effort by abutter Sandro Carella to place benches and tables in the square was commended. It was suggested that the design include similar features.
Vehicle access – There were varying opinions of whether all parts of North Square should be accessible to cars versus more of a pedestrian plaza. Most attendees spoke in favor of keeping the existing roadways.
Please watch the video above for the complete presentation and discussion from the meeting. The next meeting is not yet scheduled but will be posted here on NorthEndWaterfront.com as well as the Public Works project website. A tentative construction start date was mentioned for early 2016.
How positively antisepticly ORDINARY/anywhere USA ANDhow insensitive to the need to recharge groundwater.
On behalf of the Residents, I can absolutely sympathize with them as to why they would not want.
benches, which could possibly ad to the unnecessary noise in the neighborhood. On behalf of.
the Restaurants, I would never, ever want tourists bringing food from other restaurants and eating.
sandwiches, pastry, etc. outside of my Restaurant, not to mention, this is another source of.
rodents to feast on whatever a tourist might happen to drop on the ground. The North End has had.
far too many projects shoved down our throats, and all to benefit the Tourist & the City Revenue with.
no consideration for the Residents, again. We the Residents have already been subjected to.
not being able to walk on our sidewalks because of Tourism, We are already dealing with.
far too many Restaurants, and what I want to know is when is Enough, Enough. The City is.
overcome with G R E E D, with no regard for Residents.
This is totally ridiculous! Why change layout? All for the benefits of the restaurants and tourist? Which by the way, they are not resident! I would not be surprised if someone proposed tearing down the church and school to make way for more greedy restaurant owners. After 62 years, I have moved out of the North End. My heart breaks to see what they are doing all for the love of money. How many restuarants to you want to shove down the residents troaths.
Where goith the cobblestones? It can not be the North square with out them. What are these people thinking, ascetics , profiteers this is absolutely nonsense sent these people packing more caprice.
The North end is full of them.