Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Woe that was Filene's take 2

So I have started to become the paparazzi of the building community. Being an architect and interested in the Government Center debates I have started to become interested in the documentation of the building process that is going on around me. Documenting what is going on in our environment lets people know the history and life that happened in a place that is ever changing. The other day I was in my print shop picking up a set of drawings and on their walls was a before, during construction, and after shot of Government Center in Boston. It was amazing to see the changes that happened, and how the space was recreated and redeveloped. The old Filene's building is also a very integral and important landmark in the Boston area. The good news is that there was still work happening at the site. I heard through the grapevine that there may be some money issues for this project. I really hope that this is not true, it can be devastating to the economy and the life around Downtown Crossing. Its bad enough that my favorite burrito place was a casualty of the building war. If this building does not get built or gets put on hold its going to send a message to all that see that gaping hole every day they walk by it. But I don't want to go to far off course, so I bring you some photos that I took today as I walked by. The excavator is actually being used to transport a cementitious material in this photo. It extends its long neck so that its bucket can be filled up by the cement truck. It would then rotate around and fill the hole that it is lying next to. Pretty interesting, and the big question is what is that large hole for, the cement that is being poured looks a little darker than what i have seen in the past, but that may not mean much. Only time will tell, enjoy the photos.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

John Hynes said that it is behind by many months. The New Basement won't be back until 2010 and they still haven't secured financing.
YAY! What else is new. How about the Mayor's Economic Improvement Initiative? Sorry no money. How about the Business Improvement Distric? Not for years. DTX will keep stagnating for quite some time it looks like.

Anonymous said...

The anonymous person posting doesn't really have his facts straight... the BID is on its way and the basement is expected back in 2009...