DOCOMOMO - NEW ENGLAND”s announcement of Monday’s meeting about the future of the Boston Government Service Center, designed by Paul Rudolph. Recent proposals to demolish all or part of the building are to be discussed—and you are invited to attend and participate.
THE DEVELOPING SITUATION:
The Boston Government Service Center—one of Paul Rudolph’s largest and most multifaceted urban designs—is threatened. The state has proposed selling-off an integral part of the complex (the Hurley Building) to a developer. In February there was a public meeting to present the state’s plans—which got a lot of push-back. Several important letters, statements, and reports—protesting the assumption that demolition is the only path to a positive future for this complex—have been issued, including from the Boston Preservation Alliance and Docomomo-New England.
The most significant step may be the recent letter issued by the MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION (MHC). The MHC states that the state’s set of currently proposed development options (all of which include demolition, and the handing-over of public space to a developer) are unacceptable, as they are contrary to the historic & architectural significance of the complex.
ACTION ALERT FOR THIS COMING WEEK:
This coming Monday—March 9th, at 6PM—DOCOMOMO-NEW ENGLAND will be hosting a meeting at which the development options and situation will be presented and discussed: “PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE OF BOSTON GOVERNMENT SERVICE CENTER”
You are invited to attend —see full meeting info at bottom of this post..
The program will explain the options which Bruner/Cott Architects prepared for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Division of Capital Assets Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) as part of their preparation for development at the site. Henry Moss, AIA, a principal of the firm, will be presenting. This will be followed by discussion facilitated by David Fixler, FAIA who is working with DCAMM on this effort.
WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN:
It is hoped that Monday’s meeting, in addition to a presentation of the report and of the significance of the Boston Government Services Center, someone will be able to clarify the next steps in this process, which precedes DCAMM’s being able to issue an RFP for the redevelopment of the site.
Key questions include:
What weight does the MHC letter carry (or doesn’t)?
How will the decisions be made regarding the RFP scope and wording?
Can MHC’s request for additional preservation-oriented options be ignored or be negotiated away?
Your presence and participation can make this meeting be a meaningful part of this process.
TAKE ACTION:
Please join us at Monday’s meeting in Boston: important information will be shared and your presence will show support for the preservation of this important work of public architecture. Full meeting info is below—but you must RSVP (see the link to do so.)
Sign our petition: Save the Boston Government Service Center HERE - and share it online with all of your friends!
MEETING INFORMATION
NAME OF EVENT:
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE OF THE BOSTON GOVERNMENT SERVICES CENTER
DATE & TIME:
Monday, March 9, 2020 — 6:00 PM -to- 8:00 PM
SPONSORED BY:
Docomomo US/New England
TO ATTEND:
The meeting is Free and Open-To-The-Public—but you must RSVP (see below)
TO RSVP:
RSVP to this e-mail: docomomoNE@sorensenpartnersl.com
Please RSVP by 12 NOON on Monday, March 9th
LOCATION:
Boston Society of Architects - BSA SPACE 290 Congress Street, Boston, MA
DIRECTIONS & ACCESSIBILITY:
Directions and visitor info can be found HERE
EVENT WEB PAGE:
www.docomomo-us.org/event/planning-for-the-future-of-the-boston-government-services-center