You’ve seen the plan, now tell us what you think of it
We’ve seen a lot of ambitious plans for reshaping down Quincy over the years. What do you think of this one? What do you like? What do you hate? What else would you like to see? Do you think this plan has a chance of succeeding when so many others have fallen short? (We have turned off commenting on our DQ stories in hopes of creating some intelligent discussion here. Appropriate comments left on stories before they were closed have been reposted here. Comments do not go up until an editor has reviewed them.)
whoever said Quincy square was run down? to listen to our local pol’s thing’s are just fine with nail salons, Irish bars, cheap restaurant’s, and panhandlers.
from
- fedup72
(The following comments were left on the Feb. 28 story)
nooneshero
good for Quincy!
I just hope ya’ll know what you are doing. It really is miserable to walk around downtown with cars exhausts blowing in your face and wind tunnels.
chiefbroman
What really hurts downtown is the ‘element’ that is allowed to loiter. I attempted to do the ‘quincy historical tour’ but the amount of ‘homeless’ and ‘layabouts’ enjoying the beach in front of the library sent us into boston that day.
QuincyPointsFinest
Needs more nail salons and Japanese restaurants.
Hamilton Jordan
If the Ledger had more of these types of stories instead of trying to create news and outrage, perhaps they wouldn’t have one foot in their grave and the other on a banana peel.
Macka
Amazing how nostalgic we get for the Bargain Center but we want fancy bookstores, Starbucks, and a market factor in Quincy Center that we cant support. We are what we are and what weve always been.
It seems like those that grew up shopping at the Bargain Center think that Neiman Marcus is now their birthright.
How about a Target or something like that? That’s just like the ol Bargy?
nooneshero
I agree there is a lack of direct sunlight. Will they consider that as a real problem?
There are too many people waiting for the bus, you cannot walk on the sidewalk In front of the dollar store during the day. Bus transporatiation is big in Quincy and needs to be improved to meet the needs of folks.
What is that cement parking structure out in back of the old registry. What a waste of space and or beauty.
It is good that the cops on bikes are keeping some of the element away. I hope they keep that up!
Whattha
Hordes of bums from Father Bills and the T wandering the Square drunk(not waiting for any bus), Nail Shops, take out food, bar rooms, a check cashing store, South Shore Mental Health Clinic, a Detox, the methadone van and dirt bag kids skipping school. I don’t think sun light or cops on bikes will help.
Maybe a bull dozer.
norton_j
What really hurts the downtown area is the canyon effect from Rogers Jewelry to the old Woolworth’s building. The street is too narrow and descending and there is a lack of direct sunlight. All the successful town centers have wide, level streets with a lot of direct sunlight. Lexington and Arlington are examples of that type of layout.
XMA
Very nice job on the article and presentation. I only hope the revitalization plan works out as well. Too many decades went by with band -aid approaches to revitalization after the big stores left for the mall. You just knew they wouldn’t amount to anything even as they were being unveiled. Unfortunately, it seem’s there’s nothing short of bulldozing the majority of the center and starting over to bring it back. Keep the buildings that define Quincy and get rid of the rest as a starting point. That would include the ‘new’ city hall.
KOCH MADE QUINCY BROKE
Looks like the mayor is still taking care of his people. Can you imagine that Street-Works has hired Jim Borghesani of PrimePoint Strategic Media to handle public relations in respect to the project. Borghesani was chief political consultant on Mayor Thomas Kochs 2007 campaign. Must have been a nationwide search. Does anything in this city get done without a hack involved?
Whattha
Wow a post from another disgruntled Phelan hack. Where is Phelan 09? Thing of all the friend and relatives of Wink that will not get a piece of this, it is an Out rage!! “Get Over it Your Guy Lost”
Nha Trang
What I think they are is freaking HIGH. Where is all this money going to come from? That’s over TEN THOUSAND tax dollars from every man, woman and child in this city! And damn … y’know, this isn’t Weston. We don’t need any more toney shops, condos with million dollar price tags, cause the white Hummer crowd’s never coming here anyway. And you know what “improved property values” means … higher taxes for the homeowners who are already here, and residents who don’t have six figure salaries forced out.
Scoop
Whattha, KOCH MADE QUINCY BROKE is Phelan09, I voted for Phelan and many other screeds. He is trying to make it appear that there are numbers of people who are against this Mayor, but the reality is Phelan is paying him to post all day long to incite. He hasn’t figured out that none of us care what he has to say whether it is under Phelan09, KOCH MADE QUINCY BROKE or any other name - he is irrelevent.
bubbagump
When they did West Hartford — all the public cost wasn’t paid until the project was done and making money. I think they said that is what is happening here.
Bserious
Did the map show where the junkies, homeless and street thugs are going to be relocated to?
KOCH MADE QUINCY BROKE
Looks like the mayor is still taking care of his people. Can you imagine that Street-Works has hired Jim Borghesani of PrimePoint Strategic Media to handle public relations in respect to the project. Borghesani was chief political consultant on Mayor Thomas Kochs 2007 campaign. Must have been a nationwide search. Does anything in this city get done without a hack involved?
2009-03-03T21:05:46
johnny_moore
Spending $10.00 on developing Quincy Center is about $9.95 too much. Like I have said, throw a net over Quincy Center, lost cause.
willie
I remember reading a few years ago that the city had another firm drawing up plans for the project. It was the same firm that revitalized Baltimore’s downtown seaport. What ever happened to that? I’ll believe it when I see some action. It will take fifteen years to decide on anything and another fifteen years to complete anything. By then “Phelan Jr ‘39″ will be arguing with “Koch III Made Quincy Broke” on these blogs. Yawn… I hope they do something with the area though. As it is now the place is depressing during the day. A regular needle park.
jami no e
hopefully quincy can find some chinese restaraunts, places to get your nails and hair done and maybe a subshop to open that would really complete the area ..
imsickofthis says:
hey koch made quincy broke, Jim Borghesani was deputy gm of Regan Communications before he worked for koch, making him qualified for the job. Stop repeat-posting deliberate mistruths on these blogs. they add nothing to the debate.
Vinnie Veritas says:
Why wouldn’t the developer hire Mr Borghesani if he helped with PR for the election campaign that unseated Mr Phelan by 2051 votes? Seems like a smart move to Vinnie. This developer seems to have a good track record, and he is putting his money where his mouth is by purchasing property, including the signature commercial building in Quincy square. At council last night, he relayed how he was impressed with the city’s location, history and its leadership, and made a point that his company finds that all three are necessary for a project of this magnitude to be successful, and that they have walked away from several projects because the leadership just wasn’t there. Vinnie thinks that Mr Koch and the Council should welcome Mr Heapes and Street Works and we should all be working towards developing the trust between the parties that will be necessary… but let’s also be sure to cut the cards.
We have a very reputable firm in charge of this project. West Hartford is fantastic. I did not get a clear sense of the projected plans, as I did not attend the meeting. However, I hope they keep a few things in mind. People don’t want to park in parking garages unless they are attached to their homes or their business. People want to be able to street park and run into a store - not parallel to the curb, perpendicular to it. Look at Hingham Center and West Hartford, look at Portsmouth, NH - all of their downtown areas have been recently revitalized in a most successful manner. Granted, Quincy may not be as swank, but even people in Quincy want a pleasantly simple downtown. No, we don’t need Neiman Marcus - we can go to the Plaza for that. But we do want nice shops, nice sidewalks, storefronts that are simple and coordinated, awnings - all of these things are affordable and necessary. What we don’t want is for the plan to knock down one failed parking garage, only to erect more in different locations. I could go on, but I won’t. It will be interesting to see how this plan develops - hopefully in my lifetime. Also, as a side note, it is no surprise that a Koch cheerleader has been appointed to oversee the project. Please, please - may their hearts be in the right place.
fedup72 says:
CARPE DIEM TOM!
willie says:
I agree. Get something done. The construction business is in the dumps right now. Take advantage when negotiating contracts. There are a lot of companies with no work on the books. They will compete against each other.
2009-03-04T15:01:37
Dockgsp
Another big time developer “going to save Quincy”? Remember the shipyard?
bubbagump says:
Except the shipyard guy didn’t drop a penny…. he stole it! These guys have already invested money.
wtp says:
We need to revitalize Quincy Center and the jobs. But……… We do not need more condos. What is the current vacancy rate in Quincy center? How much is the city going to borrow? How solvent is Street-Works? Before we get too excited. We are at the prop 2 1/2 limit. Quincy’s credit rating is on the edge of reduction. The city does not need more debt! Not to mention the State! The city is having trouble digesting $50 M for QHS How could we swallow $100 to $200 M Forget about $100 B if Street Works can’t deliver. We need a Guarantee from Street-Works and a back out plan if they can’t deliver. Too many condos. Put a roof over it. The Braintree Mall killed Quincy Center. Sears left after they built the roof!
great idea and I believe Quincy could use the face lift, creating jobs is always good when economy is bad..But the politics always gets in the way it’s to bad. Look at providence and its downtown revitilization its become the renaissance city..don’t worry ledger the homeless and junkies will probably be tossed aside so people like you can live there perfect lives..
Start the project as we have been talking about for way too long
Consider This:
Go Green Young Man: Green roofs with a combination of solar panels, rainwater retention, grass and shading plants should be an important focal point of Street Works’ plans. This will be a MASSIVE draw for green-thinking people and businesses, will generate seriously positive PR, and should be an integral part of all projects.
Cover Your Tracks: Install a deck from the MBTA garage as far south as possible, especially within the Stop&Shop parking garage. The noise level in the vicinity is murder when a Red Line train rolls through. The new space could be used for additional greenery, walking and parking. A deck north of the garage to the Dimmock or Adams Street overpasses might be extravagant, should be considered. If no deck is to be installed, noise abatement using walls if cement, brick and lots of durable glass should be considered.
Sunshine on the Street: Hancock runs basically North to South, so installation of defused reflective surfaces on the east-facing and west-facing upper floors of buildings will bring natural daylight to the street and sidewalks below throughout the day. The cost would be very inexpensive especially if tackled in the design phase.
Make Granite Rock: The floors of the Granite Trust building are much smaller than most people think, and are not desirable for retail space. Whereas the building’s front facade is it’s most notable exterior feature, expanding out from the sides along the Ryan Parkway and Hancock Street would create a good amount of useable space. This could be well executed using complementary materials and sticking with the existing lines. Adding a 7-story wing on each side would provide quite a but of retail / office space. Getting the public back into the bank lobby and its beautiful vaulted stained glass ceiling should be a mission unto itself, as it is a hidden jewel that should be exploited for the benefit of all.
Please be careful with the choice of retail stores. We need something with a bit of “class” in Quincy Center.
Oh, if only we could get Remicks back. Am I living in the past. I hope not.
Overall the plan sounds good. I like a Target. I would consider that a bit of a step up.
This is a very tough, challenging thing to pull off especially with people’s shopping habits and buying power changing ever so often.
Good Luck!
I have gone to West Hartford to watch the project transfold. They did a totally amazing job something Quincy Center
strongly needs. I have to give credit to the Patriot Ledger for the best series( Quincy Center Development) I have read in the long time. I will continue to purchase the ledger if this type of journalism contiues. To (Phelan 09 & Koch has made the city broke)give it up. Mayor Phelan which is also a great guy and also had a great vision for the City lost because of his people skills. Mayor Koch made a few mistakes as every new politican does but he is a good man with a great family. This economy is not just Quincy problem it’s a nationwide problem. Streetworks is the real deal, take a ride to West Hartford and see for yourself. And Phelan 09 stay positive Community Police will only be disbanded till things get better. Stay positive
I think the city missed the boat. We don’t need any more condos, apartments or restaurants.
What we need are stores to shop in.
What would be good is something like Derby Street Shoppes in Hingham.
Close down Hancock Street. You could have stores on both sides, and there would be plenty of parking in back.
SUSAN HOLMES
Quincy
If nothing else, the redevelopment plan for downtown Quincy is optimistic.
Let me count the ways:
1. That there’s enough demand for a dozen new office buildings, retail stores, full-priced apartments/condos and parking garage fees to rival those in Boston.
2. That the roadways designed to support this colossus are adequate to handle the anticipated deliveries, traffic and pedestrian flow.
3. That real estate taxes can continue to increase by $600 per household per year.
Indeed, the artist’s rendering is beautiful and much more attractive than what’s there now. But drawings aren’t real life and can’t airbrush away that we are in (or on the verge of) a worldwide depression, despite the best efforts of President Obama to magic it away.
This notwithstanding, the proposed project might be an asset to the city, but should be regarded as a goal – a master blueprint – with a completion date of perhaps 2025, the 400th anniversary of the Settlement at Mount Wollaston by Captain Wollaston.
JIM MILESKI
North Quincy
Why not put your energy on saving the city instead of wasting it on a project that is not possible?
– lord fuller, commenting on a story on our site
A polish not a demolish! There is a nice “vibe” to downtown Quincy and I would not want that to go away.
pds6 — commenting on a story on our site
There is no one on the city payroll that is quailfied to oversee a billion dollar project.
There are no city counci lors that are qualified either.
Remember the Shipyard disaster? It wound up being a parking lot.
REMEMBER THE SHIPYARD.
We can all agree that Quincy Center needs some improving- however if someone had a luxury dollar to spend would they buy a luxury condo in Quincy or would they take that luxury dollar elsewhere? I hope that all involved have thought long and hard about this and do not waste money on the hopes that people want to come to Q to spend money. I sure hope that some focus groups were done to support this huge project!!!
street-works needs web site designers:
http://www.newquincycenter.com is NOT up !
The site is up & what an ambitious plan it is. Huge amounts of money and time are involved. The plan is more of the ideal “Quincy Center”, not the current reality that one sees on an everyday basis. Many of you have a point, however lets agree that improvement is needed. Covering the MBTA from Adams Street to the Harold bridge (as East Milton Square did over 93) is a very good idea. Negativity runs deep here in Massachusetts due to years of enduring harsh winters, I should know.. We have to think: What is the alternative, old empty storefronts that are not getting any younger, what is the best use for the land? Do you want Pawn shops, closeout stores, tattoo parlors, and more Dollar General, & Job Lots? -drawing more nanny state zombie trainwrecks to the city. I have an idea, close Fr. Bill’s ! Home of many sex offenders… Pay the facility to leave ! Find it in the budget.
When I had a look at the plans, it looked to me like a tall building was planned to go behind the Granite Trust building. If this is the case, it should be reconsidered. This is why: This skyline is a unique part of the character of this city. You can especially appreciate it when viewed from Crown Colony and driving on Burgin Parkway to the square. If you haven’t seen it from these perspectives, do so and see what I mean.
I encourage everyone to visit my site Clean Up Quincy to voice their comments/concerns about the redevelopment along with any other issues in the city of Quincy, MA. I will do my best to make sure that your voice is heard and that important issues are dealt with directly.
Chris Stuart
Looking at the plans, the parking for access to some of the public spaces is not evident. Also, it needs to be easy and SAFE for Quincy residents in the surrounding neighborhoods to WALK to the center. This would help ameliorate parking and pollution problems. Right now some neighborhoods are isolated from walking to downtown due to busy highways. A walking city has a better chance of long term survival through resident access. I wish the waterfront area around CVS on the Southern Artery could be opened up more. Then you could have a direct pathway to oceanfront which would be a big draw and would enchance attractiveness.
Is it true that they’re planning on knocking down over a hundred homes in Quincy Point to make way for the world’s largest water slide?
I am hoping the renovations catch on in North Quincy. Just moved here from the city, lots of young professionals are now too, due to lower costs here than in the city. Let’s get some cafes (for the throngs of commuters hitting up the N.Quincy T who would love a coffee on their way to work), walkable destinations, community gardens. That little strip on Hancock needs some help near Hannafords. It just seems like there is a new population of young professionals moving in that could def. be hit to boost the economy and who would love to support local business. The young city folk definitely have their eyes on Quincy.