Kirsten Hoffman, a member of the Save the Nazzaro coalition, presented updates about the Nazzaro Center building at the May North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA) meeting.
(00:50) The Boston Landmarks Commission has accepted the petition to study the Nazzaro Center building as a Boston landmark. As such, it now has pending landmark status, which protects the exterior of the building, as well as Polcari playground. The interior can be renovated.
(1:40) Two weeks ago, the City presented plans for the new North End Community Center at the Mirabella Pool site. That’s a separate process that does not include the current Nazzaro Center.
(3:24) Kirsten stresses it would be great for the City to begin planning for the future of the current Nazzaro community center sooner rather than later. Separate from the City’s process, Save the Nazzaro coalition had the Boston Architectural College’s Gateway Program come talk about potential future uses for the building. At the end of the study, BAC will compile the results of their work to be submitted to the City for consideration.
(5:25) NEWRA Secretary Jenn Crampton asks why Kirsten thinks the City should move quickly on planning the future of the Nazzaro building. Kirsten reports the Mayor has stressed that he would like to see the building remain in the community, potentially for senior programming. She goes on to explain it would be good to not have the building sit vacant, but rather have continued use in the current building.
Members of the audience agreed it was not unreasonable to have two community spaces – the new center and the current one. Kirsten added that the population of the North End and surrounding neighborhoods is growing, so the need is there.
Questions from the audience begin at 10:33.
