The Revitalist

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino's proposal to move City Hall to the industrial waterfront in South Boston is a little like moving out of the neighborhood just at the moment real estate prices shoot up. 

Anthony Flint (former Globe journalist, now at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy) makes a convincing case in a recent op-ed in the Hartford Courant for why City Hall should stay in Government Center. Now, on the cusp of the blooming of the Rose Kennedy Greenway, City Hall is suddenly in a very desirable location and is still at the hub of the Hub. Flint argues that the Mayor should focus on reinforcing the rebirth taking place along the Greenway (and not just on the SB Waterfront). He suggests a top down overhaul of the City Hall building, incorporating elements of the original design that were cut from the project, and reconnecting Hanover Street with Cambridge Street (i.e., restoring the street across what is now the Government Center Plaza). With an active street connection, the installation of elements that were originally planned, and insisting on a top-quality MBTA station on the plaza, Government Center could become alive. Flint has a very optimistic view of the possibilities (I, too, would like to see Haymarket rival Seattle's Pike Place, but I'm not holding my breath), but he makes some very interesting suggestions. I hope City Hall is listening...