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Re: YMCA/ Northeastern Dorm (formerly GrandMarc at St. Botolph)
We did... I agreed with it.
I'm just gonna drop it now.
We did... I agreed with it.
I'm just gonna drop it now.
GrandMarc Residence Hall (YMCA) @ Northeastern U | 291 St. Botolph Street | Fenway
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DominusNovus
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Re: YMCA/ Northeastern Dorm (formerly GrandMarc at St. Botolph)
For the record, I wasn't too offended/disgusted myself or anything. Also, I'm a NU graduate (09), not a student.
Plus, I was very involved in residence life while I was a student, and did work with, among other things, laundry on campus. Mundane details like laundry (and yes, vending machines) are incredibly important to the students, and I will always view campus projects (for any school) from the point of view of student utility, convenience, and the enhancement of their lives.
I'm not too concerned about the generic-ness of the floor plan, nor do I think that the exterior deserves particular attention due to its height, since there will almost certainly be similarly-sized buildings on that part of campus within the near future (unless the university falls on hard times, which I think it will if they continue to drive away from the co-op model). There was a plan to build a residence hall on the location of Culinane hall (right behind this project), though that got sidetracked.
Would have been a cool building though, and I hope it still gets started at some point:
http://www.northeastern.edu/voice/evoice/080918/residence_hall.html
Further, I do remember hearing a fair amount of conversation on replacing Gainsborough garage, which is an obviously prime spot for new construction.
Beyond those two, there was talk some time ago about purchasing air rights over the orange line between Mass Ave and Ruggles and covering it over with both green space and additional buildings (though I doubt I'll ever see that). Plus, the science quad buildings are *really* showing their age. Either they'll get the same treatment that the Law School got (complete gut renovation) or they'll be replaced/expanded upon. Plus, there's the property the university bought a few years back on St. Botolph, the other side of Mass Ave, that they can't do anything with till about 2020 (and the tenants still whined about the university buying it).
Anyway, that section of campus is pretty much where the university is going to focus most of their construction over the next decade or so, I believe. So concerns about this one building dominating the skyline should be short lived.
But then, who knows what will actually end up happening?
For the record, I wasn't too offended/disgusted myself or anything. Also, I'm a NU graduate (09), not a student.
Plus, I was very involved in residence life while I was a student, and did work with, among other things, laundry on campus. Mundane details like laundry (and yes, vending machines) are incredibly important to the students, and I will always view campus projects (for any school) from the point of view of student utility, convenience, and the enhancement of their lives.
I'm not too concerned about the generic-ness of the floor plan, nor do I think that the exterior deserves particular attention due to its height, since there will almost certainly be similarly-sized buildings on that part of campus within the near future (unless the university falls on hard times, which I think it will if they continue to drive away from the co-op model). There was a plan to build a residence hall on the location of Culinane hall (right behind this project), though that got sidetracked.
Would have been a cool building though, and I hope it still gets started at some point:
http://www.northeastern.edu/voice/evoice/080918/residence_hall.html
Further, I do remember hearing a fair amount of conversation on replacing Gainsborough garage, which is an obviously prime spot for new construction.
Beyond those two, there was talk some time ago about purchasing air rights over the orange line between Mass Ave and Ruggles and covering it over with both green space and additional buildings (though I doubt I'll ever see that). Plus, the science quad buildings are *really* showing their age. Either they'll get the same treatment that the Law School got (complete gut renovation) or they'll be replaced/expanded upon. Plus, there's the property the university bought a few years back on St. Botolph, the other side of Mass Ave, that they can't do anything with till about 2020 (and the tenants still whined about the university buying it).
Anyway, that section of campus is pretty much where the university is going to focus most of their construction over the next decade or so, I believe. So concerns about this one building dominating the skyline should be short lived.
But then, who knows what will actually end up happening?
DominusNovus
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Re: YMCA/ Northeastern Dorm (formerly GrandMarc at St. Botolph)
Generally 2-4 per residence hall or academic hall (and, subsequently, twice that number for mixed use buildings, such as West Village G and H).
Generally 2-4 per residence hall or academic hall (and, subsequently, twice that number for mixed use buildings, such as West Village G and H).
TomOfBoston
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Re: YMCA/ Northeastern Dorm (formerly GrandMarc at St. Botolph)
I also heard that the parking lot on the side of Matthews Arena will be built up as a residence hall. The parking strip in front of the arena will be built on as an addition to house more fitness facilities, including a climbing wall.
I also heard that the parking lot on the side of Matthews Arena will be built up as a residence hall. The parking strip in front of the arena will be built on as an addition to house more fitness facilities, including a climbing wall.
DominusNovus
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Re: YMCA/ Northeastern Dorm (formerly GrandMarc at St. Botolph)
I could definitely see that happening. Particularly if it included some parking on ground or below ground level, similar to West Village E.
I could definitely see that happening. Particularly if it included some parking on ground or below ground level, similar to West Village E.
dshoost88
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Re: YMCA/ Northeastern Dorm (formerly GrandMarc at St. Botolph)
I went to the NU Task force meeting again for this project earlier tonight... it was almost the same presentation as last week, except a bigger turnout and some community opposition to NU because they don't think the school does enough for the community. I invited one of my classmates to join me, and he said the meeting was almost as exciting as watching Avatar. (haha) A lot of emotions ran wild across the room.
I went to the NU Task force meeting again for this project earlier tonight... it was almost the same presentation as last week, except a bigger turnout and some community opposition to NU because they don't think the school does enough for the community. I invited one of my classmates to join me, and he said the meeting was almost as exciting as watching Avatar. (haha) A lot of emotions ran wild across the room.
TomOfBoston
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Re: YMCA/ Northeastern Dorm (formerly GrandMarc at St. Botolph)
I would have been more surprised if there was no opposition. The alternative is to let the YMCA go bankrupt and shut down, leaving a vacant hulk of a building. Maybe the Elma Lewis crowd could redevelop it, given the "success" they have had on the other side of Tremont Street.
I would have been more surprised if there was no opposition. The alternative is to let the YMCA go bankrupt and shut down, leaving a vacant hulk of a building. Maybe the Elma Lewis crowd could redevelop it, given the "success" they have had on the other side of Tremont Street.
eaalkaline
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Re: YMCA/ Northeastern Dorm (formerly GrandMarc at St. Botolph)
Part of me wants Northeastern to just put their foot down and stop all of their programs and facility access for the community until they come begging for it back and maybe appreciate what the university does for them for once.
They are opposing a project that the University is doing in part because the community has demanded it... because the University doesn't do enough for them? Please... that's disgusting.
Part of me wants Northeastern to just put their foot down and stop all of their programs and facility access for the community until they come begging for it back and maybe appreciate what the university does for them for once.
They are opposing a project that the University is doing in part because the community has demanded it... because the University doesn't do enough for them? Please... that's disgusting.
DominusNovus
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Re: YMCA/ Northeastern Dorm (formerly GrandMarc at St. Botolph)
How entertaining would it be to see the university, for one year, suspend all their community programs and facility access (to the extent they can), and simultaneously, close all the upper class halls?
How entertaining would it be to see the university, for one year, suspend all their community programs and facility access (to the extent they can), and simultaneously, close all the upper class halls?
Lurker
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Re: YMCA/ Northeastern Dorm (formerly GrandMarc at St. Botolph)
At this point if the deal falls apart and the YMCA is sold to a politically connected, and totally insensitive developer like Druker, I will laugh.
It boggles my mind that not a single article mentions that the Y was going to liquidate that branch a few years ago to build the new facility on the Greenway. The membership doesn't seem to understand that without a cash influx the location is going to be closed whether they like it or not.
At this point if the deal falls apart and the YMCA is sold to a politically connected, and totally insensitive developer like Druker, I will laugh.
It boggles my mind that not a single article mentions that the Y was going to liquidate that branch a few years ago to build the new facility on the Greenway. The membership doesn't seem to understand that without a cash influx the location is going to be closed whether they like it or not.
TomOfBoston
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Re: YMCA/ Northeastern Dorm (formerly GrandMarc at St. Botolph)
Northeastern has been a part of that community since 1898, long before the parents of these NIMBY's were born. Also, any community contribution that Northeastern makes to Dorchester, Mattapan, South Boston etc. is ignored because it doesn't benefit the immediate neighbors.
Northeastern has been a part of that community since 1898, long before the parents of these NIMBY's were born. Also, any community contribution that Northeastern makes to Dorchester, Mattapan, South Boston etc. is ignored because it doesn't benefit the immediate neighbors.
Ron Newman
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Re: YMCA/ Northeastern Dorm (formerly GrandMarc at St. Botolph)
The YMCA has been part of that neighborhood for even longer, so its members have some right to object to a plan that would eliminate facilities that they use daily. I hope some solution is found for this, keeping the Y viable while allowing Northeastern to build.
The YMCA has been part of that neighborhood for even longer, so its members have some right to object to a plan that would eliminate facilities that they use daily. I hope some solution is found for this, keeping the Y viable while allowing Northeastern to build.
gooseberry
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Re: YMCA/ Northeastern Dorm (formerly GrandMarc at St. Botolph)
Oh, so they are tearing down the gymnasium with the indoor track? That was the coolest part of it. I wasn't sure exactly where in the building that was.
Oh, so they are tearing down the gymnasium with the indoor track? That was the coolest part of it. I wasn't sure exactly where in the building that was.
Tombstoner
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Re: YMCA/ Northeastern Dorm (formerly GrandMarc at St. Botolph)
I absolutely agree with the dorm project. I would just note, however, that the area is already saturated with NEU students. This is a fairly empty threat.
I absolutely agree with the dorm project. I would just note, however, that the area is already saturated with NEU students. This is a fairly empty threat.
TomOfBoston
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Re: YMCA/ Northeastern Dorm (formerly GrandMarc at St. Botolph)
But if Northeastern builds more dorms while holding enrolment constant then there will be fewer students living off campus. That is the whole point of these projects.
There is talk that Northeastern will cut the size of the entering class in 2012 due to increased retention. Total enrolment will remain the same.
But if Northeastern builds more dorms while holding enrolment constant then there will be fewer students living off campus. That is the whole point of these projects.
There is talk that Northeastern will cut the size of the entering class in 2012 due to increased retention. Total enrolment will remain the same.
Tombstoner
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Re: YMCA/ Northeastern Dorm (formerly GrandMarc at St. Botolph)
I get that. My point was that it's hard to tell the Fenway NIMBYs that "if we don't do this project, you'll be innundated with student housing" when the community is already innundated with student housing. Basically, (as you suggest) NEU is holding out the future promise that things will get better. That's different from threatening that things will get worse, because things can't get much worse (in terms of student housing).
I get that. My point was that it's hard to tell the Fenway NIMBYs that "if we don't do this project, you'll be innundated with student housing" when the community is already innundated with student housing. Basically, (as you suggest) NEU is holding out the future promise that things will get better. That's different from threatening that things will get worse, because things can't get much worse (in terms of student housing).