The Hub on Causeway (née TD Garden Towers) | 80 Causeway Street | West End

KentXie said:
...Something like a Ferris Wheel that can give a good vantage point of downtown would be an absolute win.
Click to expand...

It would be under the same height restrictions as the rest of the Seaport so you'd still have trouble seeing beyond the stumpy cubes.
 
Going up fast! No matter how marginal the architectural quality may be, it always looks good when pictured next to the O'Neill building (1st photo).
 
DZH22 said:
It would be under the same height restrictions as the rest of the Seaport so you'd still have trouble seeing beyond the stumpy cubes.
Click to expand...

The pier extends out into the water so you will have an uninterrupted view of the seaport and the harbor which would be nice because you normally won't get that view unless you live in or work in one of those buildings.
 
KentXie said:
I hope they take a page from Chicago and put a Navy Pier there. A park is fine and dandy if all you want to do is sit. Something like a Ferris Wheel that can give a good vantage point of downtown would be an absolute win.
Click to expand...
It appears that a Ferris wheel is obligatory for 'world class" cities these days. It started with London. Montreal just built one last year.
 
There was a proposal for a ferris wheel on the Charles River before, I wonder what happened to that. Tbh Im glad I haven't heard anything though. I think ferris wheels ruin skylines, they're massive circles on a skyline with all vertical lines. When I think of ferris wheels I think of those town fairs that randomly show up one day where the kids get to go ride the sketchy ferris wheel that has the cars that can do backflips, attempt to throw basketballs into oval hoops, and then shoot at glass bottles with pop guns. As long as everyone survives the weekend then they pack it all up and go on to the next town. Eventually one of those rust bucket rides breaks and maims a couple people and theres an outcry on the news....for 1 day. Then the next big story comes and people forget about it and then it moves on to the next town and people are like yaayyyy a carnival!! So something synonymous with town fairs I dont think is a good look for a skyline that has a level of class. London's skyline basically is a carnival though, with 100 different shapes in a fist fight over who sticks out more, so it works over there. Here idk.
 
My close friend is a leading expert in ride safety in the US. He can practically recite the Mack and Zamperla safety manuals. He'll give you a thesis on safety inspections since he's got the most experience of anyone currently employed by the State of Massachusetts. He's contributed to dozens of updates. A lot goes into it.

The State is small and has a limited budget. Our major local carnival operator in the past few years has worked in a circuit that comprises New England & New York. Massachusetts and the other states must rely on the other jurisdictions to perform safety inspections and provide all documentation. Together, they back each other.

The safety program is comprehensive. But, inspectors had to develop a method to strike a balance toward maximum effectiveness vs the budgeted inspection program. Through time and experience, "Gene" has led the effort in striking that proper balance. My friend gives a number exceeding (3,000) pieces of equipment getting inspected each year here in the state. You can only do so much before the laws of diminishing returns cut into your budgeted dollar.

The ride operators and safety officials actually share a common interest. Unfortunately, you can't check every bearing, every hydraulic motor, oil pump, fluid level/s and every part for mechanical fatigue at every opportune moment. It's an inexact science. But you'd be surprised how much they (do) know.

When Mack puts an update in their safety pdf's they send out bulletin to the operators. It's up to them to ensure the information is read and disseminated to staff. The questionable communication between device suppliers and operators has been identified to be an ongoing problem.

Employee turnover at the carnivals is always a problem. New hires need to be trained how to spot problems and be vigilant. This doesn't always happen. Mistakes get made. Inspectors can only do so much to ensure operators are in compliance.

Salisbury Beach: the soul is gone.
 
stick n move said:
There was a proposal for a ferris wheel on the Charles River before, I wonder what happened to that. Tbh Im glad I haven't heard anything though. I think ferris wheels ruin skylines, they're massive circles on a skyline with all vertical lines. When I think of ferris wheels I think of those town fairs that randomly show up one day where the kids get to go ride the sketchy ferris wheel that has the cars that can do backflips, attempt to throw basketballs into oval hoops, and then shoot at glass bottles with pop guns. As long as everyone survives the weekend then they pack it all up and go on to the next town. Eventually one of those rust bucket rides breaks and maims a couple people and theres an outcry on the news....for 1 day. Then the next big story comes and people forget about it and then it moves on to the next town and people are like yaayyyy a carnival!! So something synonymous with town fairs I dont think is a good look for a skyline that has a level of class. London's skyline basically is a carnival though, with 100 different shapes in a fist fight over who sticks out more, so it works over there. Here idk.
Click to expand...

I mean it exists in Seattle, Chicago, London, Singapore, and many others. To say it belongs at a carnival is clearly wrong. Maybe in the past it's a main staple in many cities. Just like the merry go rounds we see in the city. But this is getting off topic so I'll just stop here.
 
Steve Adams of B&T says that Oath has officially leased the 15th-31st floors of the office tower.
 
odurandina said:
Is that the tenant BP/DN courted who requested the design change?
Click to expand...

Yes. This design change was in direct response to Oath's preferences. I wouldn't be surprised if they were in the room with the Gensler people.
 
KentXie said:
I hope they take a page from Chicago and put a Navy Pier there. A park is fine and dandy if all you want to do is sit. Something like a Ferris Wheel that can give a good vantage point of downtown would be an absolute win.
Click to expand...

Just chiming in on the tangent... isn't there a thread on this somewhere?

Also, I like the idea of Drydock 4 having a park, but I think to really get people out there it needs some attractions also. Height restrictions make going tall impossible. But going along the lines of the glass wall idea, maybe the New England Aquarium could really utilize the dry dock for some sort of attraction focused on aquatic life in the harbor and water taxi people between the main aquarium and dry dock 4. The Aquarium was looking at a space like this at one point for relocation. Maybe they can make a second location work and collaborate with local non-profits like the trustees.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top