Y'know, it's great that the mayor is taking action on the Filene's site downtown. Simply put, it's a mess. But where's the word from hizzoner when it comes to the holes in the ground further down Washington Street? The site of the former Gaiety Theater was razed in 2005 and has been a barren gravel pit ever since. Once across the Mass Pike, underdeveloped and underperforming parcels of land exist all the way down to the Ferdinand Building in Dudley Square. The Ferdinand site, by the way, is owned by the City. So, where's the fuss about that, Mr. Mayor? Roxbury has been looking forward to seeing that project move forward for years. A ribbon cutting was held in May 2008. The BRA held a design charrette to develop ideas for the area in the fall of 2009. Supposedly a winner would be announced after the last mayoral election in November 2009, but I haven't seen anything materialize yet. I'm not saying that the City has to start building tomorrow, but at least announce the winner and show us that there's a cohesive plan (perhaps you remember the photo above?).
C'mon, Mr. Mayor, address development in the city in a holistic manner. What's good for downtown is also good for the neighborhoods. Address our problems as aggressively as you're addressing those where the tourists and suburbanites go. We want progress, too!
I'd like to add this article link to my Positively Roxbury page http://acsheffey.wordpress.com/positively-roxbury-by-a-celeste-sheffey/
Posted by: AC | Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 08:58 AM
Feel free to do so. Thanks for asking.
Posted by: 3D | Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 06:50 PM
Don't forget the other hole in the Dudley area that's privately owned by a church. It's on Warren Street next to the Yawkey Boys and Girls Club. The last article about it in the Globe about 8 years ago said it was going to be developed in 18 months. It's been left an undeveloped mess for more than 20 years now!
Posted by: Can-Can | Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 10:33 PM
Given its incredibly rich history, it's shameful that the city has not made Roxbury a tourist and suburbanite destination. And given the fact that Roxbury is the geographical heart of the city, the seat of city government should rest in Dudley, if it's going to be moved from where it is.
Posted by: Iseut | Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 06:13 PM