Gov't Center Station Rebuild

Are they creating a new loop road in front of the head house for a drop off zone? I cant find it in the renders but it seems they may be.

I think you're on to something - comparing these two photos, looks like there's been a very significant realignment of the curb...

WZMIcyn.png


Cb1xaH-W4AAdguz.jpg:large
 
I walked by this today and maybe it is just because it is shiny and new but I'm really starting to like it. Now to see how well it ages.
 
I never realized how really Big the "Low Rise" entry area is compared to the total footprint

Looks to be debated for some time to come -- But however you perceive the architecture this is destined to be the Mega Entry to the T [not counting those entries hidden inside or under massive parking structures such as Alewife]

The real question - -will it become iconic as the old Scollay Station

circa 1908
1908_ScollaySq_Boston.png
 
Here's a little biography on the area. Enjoy!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeXieq1pba8

Jahvon -- Fantastic Find!!

highly recommend full screen on Youtube

The highlights: The first 2 or 3 minutes with the Neon from 1940 -- it looks almost like Times Sq. in NYC today
and the last couple of minutes with the Brahmin's take on Scollay and Franck Hatch singing his father's song ... "Some coward closed the Old Howard and they're hanging crepe on Scollay Square .. ...and we don't have Burly anymore....]
 
Thanks!

I thought that it was very interesting! :cool:
 
I walked by this today and maybe it is just because it is shiny and new but I'm really starting to like it. Now to see how well it ages.

I agree. The thing i don't like is that the decorative "Government Center" granite wall/sign blocks the direct path for pedestrians crossing Court Street from Tremont. You cross on the crosswalk and have to go left on the sidewalk (which is where the doors are anyway so it's not a huge deal) or right on the sidewalk. There's no direct access to CHP once you cross that intersection. There may be a reason for the placement of that wall/sign, but it seems asinine to my untrained eyes.
 
GC has an address: One Cambridge Street

via Twitter: https://twitter.com/dd808/status/707311667022077953

CdDgNmyWIAEKGs_.jpg:large


Also, looking pretty done! Note that the signs are fully functional! "The next Blue Line train to..."

I hate hate hate hate that they aren't using the MBTA Graphic Standards by the Cambridge 7 anymore. All new signage looks awful. There's a reason those standards were developed. They were perfection.
 
I hate hate hate hate that they aren't using the MBTA Graphic Standards by the Cambridge 7 anymore. All new signage looks awful. There's a reason those standards were developed. They were perfection.

Exactly. Have they given any reason why they aren't using them consistently anymore? They should either stay with the standard or re-sign the system completely. The current hodgepodge is a symptom of a wide ranging carelessness.
 
Exactly. Have they given any reason why they aren't using them consistently anymore? They should either stay with the standard or re-sign the system completely. The current hodgepodge is a symptom of a wide ranging carelessness.
My understanding is the "station name in black Helvetica on white, blobby colored line designations underneath" is the new standard-- old signs will be replaced as stations are renovated.

And my opinion of that is that it's a shame and a step back.
 
And my opinion of that is that it's a shame and a step back.

Dear MBTA graphics department, please don't fix what Cambridge 7 did right. Their car schemes on the other hand...

(edit, had mistakenly accredited TAC for the graphic work)
 
Last edited:
My understanding is the "station name in black Helvetica on white, blobby colored line designations underneath" is the new standard-- old signs will be replaced as stations are renovated.

And my opinion of that is that it's a shame and a step back.

I agree, and compared to the Transport for London graphic standards, these look like something done by a gradeschool art class.

I was hoping for some real improvements after that lawsuit over accessibility was settled in 2006.
 
Riding through the station I'm again struck by the number of columns in the platform. Would it have been feasible to wholesale replace the station roof/plaza floor with new steel that could bear greater loads and subsequently reduce the number of columns? I wonder this for many of the T stations. Arlington is particularly problematic from a passenger flow perspective, as the columns are a few feet from the platform edge and the platform itself is fairly narrow (especially compared to Copley).
 

Back
Top