Sans ferris wheel, the latest plan for City Hall Plaza includes an outdoor skating rink/path and a European-style holiday market area. This week, the City of Boston signed a contract with Boston Garden Development Corporation (BGDC), a subsidiary of Delaware North, owner and operator of TD Garden, as the vendor to enhance City Hall Plaza. Officials expect the deal will transform and activate the bricked public space.
Opening after Thanksgiving, the new skating rink will have 11,000 gross square feet of outdoor ice forming a path over the plaza. The holiday market is expected to run through New Year’s with the skating path active through February 2017.
New seating will also be installed around shaded picnic tables. A sponsored beer garden is also part of the plan.
“I am pleased about this important next step in our efforts to activate City Hall Plaza, and I thank the Boston Garden Development Corporation for their partnership and creativity in this effort,” said Mayor Walsh. “This endeavor is the beginning of a joint venture that will help transform the plaza into a year-round destination, inviting the people of Boston to see the plaza come to life in new and exciting ways.”
“We are truly excited to move forward with this partnership with the City of Boston and get activations started on City Hall Plaza,” said Charlie Jacobs, CEO for Delaware North’s Boston Holdings. “City Hall Plaza is the heart of the City, and we share Mayor Walsh’s vision to provide a welcoming, enticing communal space that better serves the residents and visitors of Boston. Delaware North is committed to Boston, and our team is actively working to create an engaging winter experience for the plaza as well as unique activations for every season.”
The three year contract was awarded with the City receiving a portion of the profits. Several exhibitions are expected along with extensive programming through the Spring and Summer months. The Walsh Administration continues to work on RethinkCityHall.org and has selected Utile to run a one-year planning process for additional improvements to City Hall Plaza. More information on the holiday market and other programming will be posted on www.facebook.com/BostonCityHallPlaza.
