A once vibrant neighborhood has transformed into an uninviting superblock in Boston, now a stark reminder of the consequences of urban renewal that often disregards community ties.
At the heart of this transformation is the six-story Hurley building, which once housed state labor department employees but now stands empty along Cambridge and Staniford streets.
Adjacent to it, the Lindemann building, known for its intricate M.C. Escher-style staircases, still serves as a facility for Department of Mental Health patients, putting pressure on redevelopment plans to accommodate those who rely on its services.
Both structures are in dire need of repairs, estimated to cost hundreds of millions, leaving the surrounding courtyard underused and largely ignored despite its potential.
Speaking at a community meeting in June, Adam Baacke, commissioner of the state’s Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, remarked on how these buildings represent an outdated mindset focused on isolation from the city, rather than integration and community engagement.
A renewed request for proposals (RFP) for the redevelopment of the superblock is set to issue later this year, marking another attempt to breathe life back into this area.
Under the previous administration of Governor Charlie Baker, plans were made to redevelop only the Hurley building and the surrounding outdoor spaces, while largely leaving the Lindemann untouched.
Despite the historical significance of the Hurley building, there remains debate about its aesthetic value, which complicates future plans.
Initially, the agency received seven bids for redevelopment, with Leggat McCall Properties winning based on a proposal to construct a lab tower next to the Hurley.
However, as the demand for new lab spaces declined, so did the prospects for the Hurley project.
The new approach diverges significantly from previous proposals, as the Lindemann will now be included in redevelopment plans.
Bidders will also benefit from the absence of nearly 700 state office workers who have since relocated, allowing for a more flexible development.
The Healey administration is emphasizing the creation of mixed-income housing, which could significantly alter the neighborhood dynamics.
Though it’s still uncertain how many housing units could be constructed, estimates suggest there could be hundreds, if not thousands, depending on whether the existing buildings are redeveloped or new constructions erected.
The zoning regulations for the site permit much greater development than its current state, allowing for an increased square footage that could be four times the existing 570,000 square feet.
Under these regulations, a new tower could soar up to 400 feet, comparable to the modern structures that have reshaped the neighboring area.
DCAMM aims to select a developer by next year, with construction anticipated to begin in 2029, according to their timeline.
Matthew Kiefer, a land-use lawyer who previously worked on the Leggat McCall project, finds the state’s renewed interest in revitalizing the superblock particularly exciting.
He suggests that the area’s potential as a residential site is even more attractive than for commercial lab spaces, given its proximity to shops, restaurants, and public transit at North Station.
Kiefer believes that a skilled design team could enhance the existing Brutalist architecture, creating a distinctive residential community that could fit well within the urban fabric.
At a community meeting, attendees gathered at the West End Museum, where historical artifacts displayed the neighborhood’s past.
Community members expressed desires for a lively street with shops lining the base of the building, a new public school to replace one lost in the 1960s, and the preservation of the two 25-foot murals in the Hurley lobby as testaments to the area’s cultural history.
They also voiced the need for more green spaces to offset the concrete-heavy urban environment and discussed the importance of honoring the neighborhood’s forgotten history.
A poignant memory was shared by Quincy resident Ron Iacobucci, whose first home was located on a street that has since been obliterated.
His family, like many others, was displaced by development that reshaped the area in pursuit of progress, a legacy he believes should be addressed in the new plans.
Iacobucci urged state officials to prioritize affordable housing for displaced West Enders and their descendants, framing this redevelopment as an opportunity for social justice and equity.
While the task of weaving this extensive block back into the community poses challenges, there is hope that a sensitive approach to this development can rectify the mistakes of the past, creating a renewed sense of place for both residents and history.
image source from：bostonglobe
