Re: Back Bay Garage Tower (Dartmouth and Stuart)
Heh. Today's xkcd strip is fitting for this conversation.
http://xkcd.com/1385/
Heh. Today's xkcd strip is fitting for this conversation.
http://xkcd.com/1385/
Back Bay Garage Tower | Dartmouth and Stuart | Back Bay
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fattony
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Re: Back Bay Garage Tower (Dartmouth and Stuart)
I have been sucked in to commenting on the Globe pretty much daily. I try to be one voice of reason in development debates. I find that most of the other comments are contrary to mine and I'm constantly accused of being paid by the developers because no sane person could ever support building anything. However, my pro-dev comments often pull dozens of "likes", more than any of the negative stuff. That makes me feel like I have readers that are looking for a ray of sunshine and know real sense when they read it even if they are unwilling or unable to post those ideas themselves. Those "likes" are the thing that keeps me coming back for more punishment day after day. Someone out there is benefiting from my comments.
I have been sucked in to commenting on the Globe pretty much daily. I try to be one voice of reason in development debates. I find that most of the other comments are contrary to mine and I'm constantly accused of being paid by the developers because no sane person could ever support building anything. However, my pro-dev comments often pull dozens of "likes", more than any of the negative stuff. That makes me feel like I have readers that are looking for a ray of sunshine and know real sense when they read it even if they are unwilling or unable to post those ideas themselves. Those "likes" are the thing that keeps me coming back for more punishment day after day. Someone out there is benefiting from my comments.
bobthebuilder
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Re: Back Bay Garage Tower (Dartmouth and Stuart)
Everyone loses in the comment section, and if you try and argue with idiots, they'll just drag you down to there level and beat you with experience. However, I'm with you fattony, fight the good fight. I do feel like there is some merit to having a pro-development voice among all those so adamantly against any kind of development.
Everyone loses in the comment section, and if you try and argue with idiots, they'll just drag you down to there level and beat you with experience. However, I'm with you fattony, fight the good fight. I do feel like there is some merit to having a pro-development voice among all those so adamantly against any kind of development.
JohnAKeith
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Re: Back Bay Garage Tower (Dartmouth and Stuart)
So, 13 months later, there's an update to Boston Properties' proposal to build here.
Apparently, in December, BP was selected to take over maintenance and management of the station, according to Banker & Tradesman. It was also put in charge of a $32 million upgrading / updating of the station.
"Before renovations could begin, however, the Boston-based REIT notified state transportation officials on June 9 of problems with the expansion joints and missing certificate of occupancy."
BP could pull out of the contract if the CofO isn't found (re-issued?) within 6 months.
This contract is separate and distinct from any plans to purchase the air rights over Back Bay station, which would be necessary should BP want to go forward with its plans for a multi-use tower(s) above and next to the station.
The article is worth reading if only to bring you to tears over the fucking mess that is the Back Bay station. Thanks DUKAKIS.
http://www.bankerandtradesman.com/news164976.html
So, 13 months later, there's an update to Boston Properties' proposal to build here.
Apparently, in December, BP was selected to take over maintenance and management of the station, according to Banker & Tradesman. It was also put in charge of a $32 million upgrading / updating of the station.
"Before renovations could begin, however, the Boston-based REIT notified state transportation officials on June 9 of problems with the expansion joints and missing certificate of occupancy."
BP could pull out of the contract if the CofO isn't found (re-issued?) within 6 months.
This contract is separate and distinct from any plans to purchase the air rights over Back Bay station, which would be necessary should BP want to go forward with its plans for a multi-use tower(s) above and next to the station.
The article is worth reading if only to bring you to tears over the fucking mess that is the Back Bay station. Thanks DUKAKIS.
http://www.bankerandtradesman.com/news164976.html
palindrome
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Re: Back Bay Garage Tower (Dartmouth and Stuart)
I don't go there often at all, but today I almost puked from the diesel fumes on the CR platform.
I don't go there often at all, but today I almost puked from the diesel fumes on the CR platform.
Re: Back Bay Garage Tower (Dartmouth and Stuart)
I've been going to Back Bay for years and I'm pretty sure I've shaved some significant amount of time off my life expectancy breathing those fumes.
That said, I've never noticed these "hazardous expansion joints" in the station.
I've been going to Back Bay for years and I'm pretty sure I've shaved some significant amount of time off my life expectancy breathing those fumes.
That said, I've never noticed these "hazardous expansion joints" in the station.
Re: Back Bay Garage Tower (Dartmouth and Stuart)
I thought the exhaust issue was exaggerated until I had to wait in the station one time to meet up with a friend. It was raining so I couldn't wait outside. Since then, I understand how bad the fumes are.
I thought the exhaust issue was exaggerated until I had to wait in the station one time to meet up with a friend. It was raining so I couldn't wait outside. Since then, I understand how bad the fumes are.
tobyjug
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Re: Back Bay Garage Tower (Dartmouth and Stuart)
Agreed, especially since presumably the GC didn't get its retainage decades ago unless there was a CO.
Agreed, especially since presumably the GC didn't get its retainage decades ago unless there was a CO.
Re: Back Bay Garage Tower (Dartmouth and Stuart)
Article in the Globe today covering this. The upshot is that there are some (minor it seems) cost overruns related to the CofO and expansion joint issues, and the lede is that taxpayers, rather than Boston Properties, are on the hook.
My five articles are up, and I haven't learned the tricks some of y'all are using, so I'm not sure what all is in the story.
Article in the Globe today covering this. The upshot is that there are some (minor it seems) cost overruns related to the CofO and expansion joint issues, and the lede is that taxpayers, rather than Boston Properties, are on the hook.
My five articles are up, and I haven't learned the tricks some of y'all are using, so I'm not sure what all is in the story.
Re: Back Bay Garage Tower (Dartmouth and Stuart)
The trick I use is to subscribe, but there are other ways.
Here's the link:
http://www.bostonglobe.com/business...rough-start/TuOX2I4srKKKhnZFyubHQJ/story.html
The gist is partly the expansion joint issues, but also shortfalls in tenant rent that the state will cover. Boston Properties is expected to upgrade facilities and over time boost rental income, but the state covers rental shortfalls in the interim. Paul Regan, ED of the MBTA Advisory Board, is quoted wondering why that sort of thing wasn't better sorted out in the original lease. As that lease was signed in the final days of the Patrick Admin, it's not surprising he'd say that. And it might be true that the lease was not well thought out, I have not been following this closely, I hesitate to opine on it.
The trick I use is to subscribe, but there are other ways.
Here's the link:
http://www.bostonglobe.com/business...rough-start/TuOX2I4srKKKhnZFyubHQJ/story.html
The gist is partly the expansion joint issues, but also shortfalls in tenant rent that the state will cover. Boston Properties is expected to upgrade facilities and over time boost rental income, but the state covers rental shortfalls in the interim. Paul Regan, ED of the MBTA Advisory Board, is quoted wondering why that sort of thing wasn't better sorted out in the original lease. As that lease was signed in the final days of the Patrick Admin, it's not surprising he'd say that. And it might be true that the lease was not well thought out, I have not been following this closely, I hesitate to opine on it.
Re: Back Bay Garage Tower (Dartmouth and Stuart)
I should have also noted that the first $1M for the expansion joint issue comes from Boston Properties' budget, the state covers anything beyond that. So it's not like all of the expansion joint issue gets shunted to the state.
From the very minimal info in this article, I don't find myself too concerned over that expansion joint issue. I am curious to know more about the deal with tenant income, and how the risk on that was allocated between BP and the taxpayers. I don't have a lot of confidence that Patrick's team negotiated that sensibly on their way out the door, but again, I'm not sure what the deal is so my lack of confidence is not backed by evidence.
That article, by the way, has a poor quality rendering of the post upgrade façade for those who haven't seen it before.
I should have also noted that the first $1M for the expansion joint issue comes from Boston Properties' budget, the state covers anything beyond that. So it's not like all of the expansion joint issue gets shunted to the state.
From the very minimal info in this article, I don't find myself too concerned over that expansion joint issue. I am curious to know more about the deal with tenant income, and how the risk on that was allocated between BP and the taxpayers. I don't have a lot of confidence that Patrick's team negotiated that sensibly on their way out the door, but again, I'm not sure what the deal is so my lack of confidence is not backed by evidence.
That article, by the way, has a poor quality rendering of the post upgrade façade for those who haven't seen it before.
scorpio02150
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Re: Back Bay Garage Tower (Dartmouth and Stuart)
Use google chrome in incognito mode for unlimited BG articles.
Use google chrome in incognito mode for unlimited BG articles.
Re: Back Bay Garage Tower (Dartmouth and Stuart)
Wish there were a render or at least details of BP's high rise. Can't wait for the nimbys to freak out about this one as Simons rises across the street. It will be shadow Armageddon.
Wish there were a render or at least details of BP's high rise. Can't wait for the nimbys to freak out about this one as Simons rises across the street. It will be shadow Armageddon.
scorpio02150
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Re: Back Bay Garage Tower (Dartmouth and Stuart)
some renderings of back bay's front entrance and inside:
some renderings of back bay's front entrance and inside:
Re: Back Bay Garage Tower (Dartmouth and Stuart)
Thanks. I should like to subscribe, but until this MA I just earned lands me a job, I'm in cheapskate mode.
Thanks. I should like to subscribe, but until this MA I just earned lands me a job, I'm in cheapskate mode.
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Re: Back Bay Garage Tower (Dartmouth and Stuart)
Sadly nobody ever experiences Back Bay Station from the angles in the renders. In fact, when using it, I've always had the feeling that it was exactly the sort of station that "looked great in the renders" (and still would, if I could bring my own 20' ladder to the waiting area) but is a cluttered un-readable mess from eye level.
I don't see these changes making much of a difference on how pleasant it will be for humans to use it.
I'd rather see renders of a new diesel-exhaust-management system and a clearer connection from waiting area to CR/Amtrak platforms.
Sadly nobody ever experiences Back Bay Station from the angles in the renders. In fact, when using it, I've always had the feeling that it was exactly the sort of station that "looked great in the renders" (and still would, if I could bring my own 20' ladder to the waiting area) but is a cluttered un-readable mess from eye level.
I don't see these changes making much of a difference on how pleasant it will be for humans to use it.
I'd rather see renders of a new diesel-exhaust-management system and a clearer connection from waiting area to CR/Amtrak platforms.
bayvillagebrahmin
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Re: Back Bay Garage Tower (Dartmouth and Stuart)
http://www.bankerandtradesman.com/2015/12/39338/
1.4 million is bigger than Prudential and slightly smaller than Hancock. Stuart street is going to be a Manhattan-esque spine.
http://www.bankerandtradesman.com/2015/12/39338/
1.4 million is bigger than Prudential and slightly smaller than Hancock. Stuart street is going to be a Manhattan-esque spine.
Re: Back Bay Garage Tower (Dartmouth and Stuart)
I have heard that they may not go as tall here as expected. Given that this is the same development firm that is currently spitting the bit on the North Station towers, Boston Properties may single-handedly ruin our skyline's potential at 2 of the most high-profile locations in the city.
I hope I'm wrong, but considering the footprint here is much bigger than the North Station footprint (I think?), I expect many of us will be disappointed with this.
I have heard that they may not go as tall here as expected. Given that this is the same development firm that is currently spitting the bit on the North Station towers, Boston Properties may single-handedly ruin our skyline's potential at 2 of the most high-profile locations in the city.
I hope I'm wrong, but considering the footprint here is much bigger than the North Station footprint (I think?), I expect many of us will be disappointed with this.