Boston’s City Hall Plaza is poised to change to become a destination location for locals and tourists.
Credit: Boston Globe
From the Boston Globe:
The owners of TD Garden have won a bid to remake Boston’s City Hall Plaza, proposing to transform the little-loved, windswept brick expanse at the heart of the city into a bustling year-round hub of arts, food, and leisure. Delaware North Cos. was tapped for the project Thursday by the administration of Mayor Martin J. Walsh, beating out two competitors. The company said in its bid it was willing to invest “upwards of $15 million” in improvements and attractions.
While its plans are conceptual and will require public input and further approval from the city, Delaware North made numerous suggestions for the plaza, including:
- An “iconic” observation wheel, up to 200 feet high and featuring 42 climate-controlled gondolas.
- A “casual cool” restaurant featuring local ingredients in a temporary two-story building surrounded by outdoor eating and beer garden areas. Nearby, a ground-level “#BOSTON” sign would become “an instant landmark . . . the ultimate new Boston selfie station.”
- An “urban beach” area would be set up in summer, replete with sand, beach chairs, umbrellas, and cabanas.
- A winter garden and ice skating venue, featuring “cozy warming huts,” hot cocoa stations, and — why not? — curling.
- Additional concert series that would build on the success of the popular Boston Calling festivals.
- A series of interactive art installations, inspired by the glow-in-the-dark “Impulse” seesaws in Montreal that also play music.
- Semi-permanent food and coffee stalls near the Government Center MBTA station.