They only (briefly) presented some rudimentary concepts on the observatory only because they knew they’d get questions. The point of the meeting and requested modification to the PDA was regarding the 8,200 sf change to the garden/lawn.
Let's be clear about what is really going on with the space in the garden/lawn. They want a high traffic volume public entrance to the lower level, so that Observatory traffic does not have to go through the 800 Boylston main lobby. All the "event space" gaming is lipstick on their required pig.
Hopefully they'll leave the mall alone. The Huntington Arcade is the only part of the mall that's stayed un-whitewashed, just the same. The mall looked so much more vibrant before it was renovated.