Hall of Shame Nominees

[briv]

Members are encouraged to nominate an existing building, park or piece of infrastructure in the Boston area that they believe diminishes the built environment. These possess attributes that should not be replicated and should serve as a model for what not to do in future projects.

There will be three new inductees.

Previous inductees:

2009
Boston City Hall Plaza
Midtown Motel
Tremont on the Common

2008
Tip O'Neill Building
Congress Street Garage
Methunion Manor

 

[BostonUrbEx]

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway

^ I have no idea how this didn't make it on there yet.


Filene's Crater

 

[briv]

Well, it did win worst new development of 2008 AND it was voted #2 on worst projects of the decade (2000-2009).

Maybe we should have a minimum age requirement for the Hall of Shame, like 5, 10 years or more?

 

[Shepard]

Charles River Park (West End), Government Center Plaza, Storrow Drive, Kendall Square in its entirety... probably others I would nominate as well...

 

[Pierce]

Hotel Commonwealth

Charlesgate Overpass

Orchard Gardens School (it may work functionally, i don't know, but it is one of they ugliest buildings in Boston, with the detailing of a Walmart and the aesthetic warmth of a prison)

 

[czsz]

The Green Line. It's oh-so-charming, but how the hell is this crawling, overcrowded thing serving some of the densest and most popular areas of the city with two-car trolley combos that go out of commission as soon as a little rain puts the Muddy River over its swampy banks? It should have been converted to heavy rail (or at least relieved by a heavy rail Blue Line extension) 50 years ago.

 

[found5dollar]

3 nominations.

1) I nominate this each year.... Mass Eye and Ear.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mass-Eye-and-Ear.jpg

and that is it's good side!


2) Can i nominate a naught? Not creating a North South Rail Link during the big dig. It should have been done. period.

3) The Silverline in its current incarnation.

 

[czsz]

If we can nominate "nots" I'd go with the lack of any T service late at night.

 

[Beton Brut]

Hotel Commonwealth

Charlesgate Overpass

Orchard Gardens School (it may work functionally, i don't know, but it is one of they ugliest buildings in Boston, with the detailing of a Walmart and the aesthetic warmth of a prison)

Good picks! All worthy of our collective disdain.

 

[datadyne007]

Orchard Gardens School
Gov't Center Garage

 

[found5dollar]

Oh. One more... Aquarium Garage.

 

[kz1000ps]

The stretch of Boylston from the SC&L down to the white terra cotta building.

 

[czsz]

The hideous wasteland of the South Bay Interchange:

 

[briv]

The stretch of Boylston from the SC&L down to the white terra cotta building.

I assume your reasons for nominating this block is because of the sad, neglected state of the buildings. If so, I agree, it's appalling. But, that being said, I think this is still a pretty special block. Aside from some horrendous storefront alterations and a couple of minor facades, the historical block is remarkably intact. It's also the only remaining intact historical Back Bay block on the south side of Boylston. I don't think it takes that much imagination to see that this block has the potential to be one of the best on Boylston. I think it's worth saving.

 

[kz1000ps]

yes, perhaps I should rephrase that as the state of the stretch of Boylston from the SC&L down to the white terra cotta building, but then that probably wouldn't qualify for this award.

 

[Beton Brut]

Here's an idea: Can we nominate Ron Druker? He wears button-down shirts with double-breasted suits, and hiking shoes. He puts as little care into his appearance as he does the maintenance and street presence of the buildings he owns.

 

[Shepard]

The Green Line. It's oh-so-charming, but how the hell is this crawling, overcrowded thing serving some of the densest and most popular areas of the city with two-car trolley combos that go out of commission as soon as a little rain puts the Muddy River over its swampy banks? It should have been converted to heavy rail (or at least relieved by a heavy rail Blue Line extension) 50 years ago.

I've been seeing three-car train sets recently on the B and D (I ride the C, so haven't taken any so far) - I have to say, the effect of seeing so many doors open at once brings the differential with heavy rail quite a bit lower. It's one of those changes which are relatively small in terms of investment but which exponentially enhance the experience. (Signal priority on the streets and stop elimination in certain areas e.g. BU would be another one). I am optimistic that incremental changes like these can keep the Green Line viable for quite some time longer.

In terms of infrastructure, I'd much rather point to Storrow Drive or the Pike extension when thinking about the Hall of Shame.

May I also add another nominee: Fort Point Channel. So much potential, so criminally underutilized.

 

[Ron Newman]

Campus (Madison Park) High School in Roxbury.

 

[Suffolk 83]

"Orchard Park School"

I never knew the name of that school but I had a feeling you were talking about the one in Roxbury. That building makes me lulz when I drive by

 

[found5dollar]

"Orchard Park School"

I never knew the name of that school but I had a feeling you were talking about the one in Roxbury. That building makes me lulz when I drive by

I agree it is hideous, but it was built in 2003.. doesn't stuff have to be at least like 10 years old before we can enshrine it as one of the worst in the city?