Recent content by masswich

  1. M

    Boston Globe

    It's a lot easier than it used to be. I cancelled a paper subscription online even. Remember, if you aren't paying for it, someone else is. And who knows how they choose to bias the news. The only sure way to get unbiased news is to pay to get beyond the paywall.
  2. M

    8-10 Waldo Street | Coolidge Corner | Brookline

    I am not sure that is true. CHR did buy Hancock Village but none of its units qualified for the 40B inventory because they did not have deed restrictions on them and had not come in as part of a 40B. They did propose a 40B on that site that was actually fairly well designed. The Town fought them...
  3. M

    Portland, ME - New Construction Continued

    Historic is involved because the Grand Trunk building is right next door. They review projects within 100' of an historic building. I think that when they sold the Grand Trunk building they may have changed the property lines as well. I suspect they will want to see something modern because the...
  4. M

    Somerville Infill and Small Developments

    The High School definitely needs to be updated. There is no doubt that they could have brought forward a less expensive option, but it still would have been at least $150 million. I think the Mayor just decided go shoot the moon, and with his political capital he got the vote. It will increase...
  5. M

    Crazy Transit Pitches

    It's the Urban Ring! (sort of)
  6. M

    Portland Renderings

    No argument here, I agree with most of what you say. There is some science as to how people use space (a la William Whyte) but much of it is subjective and site specific. Thanks for posting the pics of City Center.
  7. M

    Portland Renderings

    You are right, it's subjective, though there are many generally accepted urban design axioms. And there are worse buildings around. I hope something good happens on those parking lots along Spring Street, they are a real gap in the urban fabric. I don't entirely disagree with you about 111...
  8. M

    Portland Renderings

    That's a nice level of density on that site but what an ugly, poorly designed building. The pyramid roof reminds me of the 'crown' on 111 Huntington. The building is a huge block with no relation to the street. That site deserves better.
  9. M

    US Route 6 on Cape Cod

    Part of the reason was to help keep a lid on development. If the highway was double-barreled from Exit 9 to Orleans it would be hard to keep lots of more development out on the mid-to lower-Cape. The development would further deplete the limited aquifer out there and have environmental...
  10. M

    Assembly Square Infill and Small Developments | Somerville

    Does anyone know if the Partners building will be the tallest building in Somerville (not that that's saying much)?
  11. M

    Somerville Infill and Small Developments

    That site was proposed for a similar project in the early 2000's and the project was denied by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
  12. M

    BRA's Kairos Shen's under pressure to resign

    Good summary of the situation of urban planners today. The planner does not always control the planning situation. But s/he can enable good planning to happen. Look at all the most revered planners and you will find as many failures as successes. Kairos was not perfect but I think he is...
  13. M

    Why is Boston So Ugly?

    First off, sloppy fact-checking, Boston Magazine. Not only is it "The Architectural Team" but they are actually in Chelsea, not Cambridge, unless they moved recently. I think this article is entirely unfair to Kairos Shen, who has worked hard in a variety of political climates to make good...
  14. M

    Boston in the 1960's

    The 1960s version is credited to none other than Kevin Lynch! Why am I not that surprised, he did all sorts of good stuff.
  15. M

    Portland, ME - New Construction Continued

    Williston West to go forward. http://www.pressherald.com/2014/10/16/portland-church-renovation-okd-by-maine-high-court/

Back
Top