City Hall Plaza Revamp | Government Center

[dhawkins]

Here with the pressing questions: Celtics. If they win (which there’s a good chance they will), where will they address the crowd? Inside the Garden?

If it should happen (fingers crossed) the celebration should be on the Common.

 

[Brattle Loop]

If it should happen (fingers crossed) the celebration should be on the Common.

2008 Celtics parade (and 2011 Bruins parade for that matter) originated at the Garden and ended at Copley Square. I don't think either of them stopped at City Hall Plaza or the Common.

 

[Mike]

Where's the fountain?

 

[king_vibe]

Here with the pressing questions: Celtics. If they win (which there’s a good chance they will), where will they address the crowd? Inside the Garden?

Reporting this post for jinxing.

 

[kingofsheeba]

Reporting this post for jinxing.

Please do

 

[HBH]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1532802589091319809

 

[BeeLine]

IMG_7518 by Bos Beeline, on Flickr
IMG_7520 by Bos Beeline, on Flickr
IMG_7522 by Bos Beeline, on Flickr
IMG_7525 by Bos Beeline, on Flickr

Why dont they ever plant evergreens??? Cant they grow in the city??

IMG_7527 by Bos Beeline, on Flickr
IMG_7530 by Bos Beeline, on Flickr
IMG_7533 by Bos Beeline, on Flickr

 

[Bos77]

Why dont they ever plant evergreens??? Cant they grow in the city??

The root structures are not conducive to urban settings. Pine/evergreen tends to spread at the surface (so would lift/crack most hardscaped surfaces), as opposed to maple, oak, birch, locusts, etc., which tend to be more compact and roots grow down or can survive constricted environments.

 

[Mike]

Anyone know what the tent is for?

https://oxblue.com/pro/videoRedirect.php?videoCamID=71c5f24165bdcf8d90950b636a52cc34

 

[Blackbird]

The root structures are not conducive to urban settings. Pine/evergreen tends to spread at the surface (so would lift/crack most hardscaped surfaces), as opposed to maple, oak, birch, locusts, etc., which tend to be more compact and roots grow down or can survive constricted environments.

Could they make all of City Hall Plaza hard-packed dirt to account for the roots or is that not ADA compliant?

 

[Bos77]

Could they make all of City Hall Plaza hard-packed dirt to account for the roots or is that not ADA compliant?

It all comes down to cost/benefit. Anything is possible for the right price, but then factor in spread keeping healthy supportive soils, the root causing adverse wear and tear, human impacts like foot traffic on shallow roots (or dogs peeing on them constantly), weight of vegetation or potential impact on other infrastructure (tunnels roofs), any utility relocation or potential entanglement on pipes or wires, all for plants that ultimately don't have a high success rate of long term survival in urban environments. Conifers can be beautiful, but they generally won't thrive in the heart of the city.

 

[Vivanna]

Anyone know what the tent is for?

https://oxblue.com/pro/videoRedirect.php?videoCamID=71c5f24165bdcf8d90950b636a52cc34

I believe it's for Mayor Wu's inauguration this week.

 

[mass88]

The root structures are not conducive to urban settings. Pine/evergreen tends to spread at the surface (so would lift/crack most hardscaped surfaces), as opposed to maple, oak, birch, locusts, etc., which tend to be more compact and roots grow down or can survive constricted environments.

What kinds of trees have they planted? Those look pretty large for being just planted.

 

[Cortes]

While I would of preferred the extension of Hannover St., this is in my opinion a great change. (Whenever it gets finished.). The real clincher for me, though, will be the redevelopment of the low rise portion of the JFK building. If it offered 3 or 4 restaurants and a coffee shop with permanent outdoor seating, it would REALLY improve the entire experience. That blank wall is now the only thing truly f'ing the plaza up.

 

[jass]

The root structures are not conducive to urban settings. Pine/evergreen tends to spread at the surface (so would lift/crack most hardscaped surfaces), as opposed to maple, oak, birch, locusts, etc., which tend to be more compact and roots grow down or can survive constricted environments.

I dont buy this excuse. The west coast is filled with urban pine trees.

Edit: here are some urban California pine trees seen 40 years after they were planted and with a near zero budget for sidewalk/plaza maintenance.

Photos taken in January.

View attachment 26184

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Edit how do I get the pics to show up

 

[Charlie_mta]

I dont buy this excuse. The west coast is filled with urban pine trees.

Edit: here are some urban California pine trees seen 40 years after they were planted and with a near zero budget for sidewalk/plaza maintenance.

Photos taken in January.

View attachment 26184

View attachment 26185

View attachment 26186

Edit how do I get the pics to show up

Pine tress are not prevalent in Massachusetts, but deciduous trees are. Whatever they do with CH Plaza, it should reflect the look of the Boston area. Pine tress look great in California, but IMO would look out of place in Boston.

 

[jass]

Pine tress are not prevalent in Massachusetts, but deciduous trees are. Whatever they do with CH Plaza, it should reflect the look of the Boston area. Pine tress look great in California, but IMO would look out of place in Boston.

Wut.

Im sorry, but WHAT.

Massachusetts's forests are covered by five major forest types: northern hardwoods, oak/hickory, white and red pine, mixed oak/white pine, and elm/ash/red maple.

Massachusetts Forests | MassWoods

masswoods.org

With approximately 82 species discovered in these forests, the Eastern White Pine and Red Maple are the most abundant in terms of total volume and number of trees, respectively.

17 Most Common Trees in Massachusetts - ProGardenTips

www.progardentips.com

Drop a pin into any random road in MA and youll see one.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

goo.gl

Are you confusing the fact that most of them were cut down?

Eastern white pine forests originally covered much of north-central and northeastern North America. Only 1% of the old-growth forests remain after the extensive logging operations from the 18th century to early 20th century.

Pinus strobus - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[HenryAlan]

Based on the pie chart, it's about 21% pine, so definitely not the main tree type. In the city of Boston, most of the pine trees I know about are in specific and often specialized locations, such as the conifer path in the Arboretum. Aside from those groomed/curated areas, I don't think you'll find many pines around here, though obviously there are some spread about the state, just not as the dominant form.

 

[Gunner02]

Reporting this post for jinxing.

Honestly.

 

[Bos77]

I dont buy this excuse. The west coast is filled with urban pine trees.

Just because a certain type of tree can survive in California or Washington doesn't mean there's similar option that works for Boston's climate or the site constraints. As always it can come down to cost/benefit, programming decisions, and what has historically had the best chance of surviving. Pine root will 100% cause damage in time - whether you can see it at the surface or to the tunnel roofs, utilities, etc., below.