Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

What’s up with the BRA?

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In light of these events, does the BRA serve a legitimate purpose? How do other cities handle the sorts of things that the BRA is supposed to be doing?

Does anyone have examples of projects that they’ve done well?

Retrired employee pulling down a pension while still working and claims the BRA is not a government entity.

http://www.boston.com/news/loc…

The Ruggles Place project gets canceled under suspicious circumstances.

– http://bostonherald.com/news/p…

– http://www.boston.com/business…

– http://electkevin.blogspot.com…

– http://www.baystatebanner.com/…

Shady practices surrounding job descriptions and employee resumes.

http://www.abnboston.org//file…

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Comments

  1. It is a reflection of him, at least for large projects.  Notice the “crown” on top of the Belvidere on Huntington?  Rumor was Menino wanted it so the developer added it.

    <

    p>I should point out that any project above 50,000 square feet must follow Article 80 and go through a design review.  This is always done with the involvement of the neighborhoods.  If it can’t pass muster with the neighbors, it gets changed.

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    p>For smaller projects, the BRA isn’t involved.  Example: the Apple Store on Boylston.  It was just small enough to fly beneath the radar.  Compare that stunning design with most everything else in town…brick and boring.

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    p>Cambridge is probably the best run Planning Department.  Extremely tough process, but very methodical and hardly any politics.  Their zoning code is very, very explicit, and that helps.

    • Yes, Menino was responsible for the crown.  He even sketched it out on a napkin, but I can’t find a link other than him saying “I designed it.”

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      p>No, the Apple Store didn’t escape unscathed.  They had to jump through hoops, although mostly from the BBAC:

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      p>

      It didn’t come without conflict. Apple Inc., based in Cupertino, California, had to fight for that opportunity. First, there was the question of the existing building at 815 Boylston – a two-story 1906 structure, which most recently housed a Copy Cop. Last August, the Back Bay Architectural Commission agreed that the nondescript building was not architecturally significant and granted Apple the right to demolish it. The next hurdle came when the BBAC asked Apple’s architects to rework the initial design – which was even more minimal than the current one – so that it would be more harmonious with the flanking circa-1900 buildings. In the revised design, which the commission ultimately approved 6 to 3, Apple added the columns so the building would mirror the vertical aesthetic of its neighbors.

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      p>I agree wholeheartedly about Cambridge planning.  Very well done, in general.

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      p>

      • I live in JP and if I ever wanted to build my own home or rebuild or rehab a home, I wouldn’t want to do it in Boston. I’ve been to the community meetings where people complain about the stupidest stuff and that ends up delaying the project.

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