8 renovation highlights of Boston’s City Hall Plaza

By Chicago Metal Supply. 

Learn how this renovation is not only preserving history but building up the future for this area. 

This city hall and its surrounding plaza date back to 1968. Over the decades it has served as a government building and a public meeting location, but the city of Boston felt like it could become a better space for the community. That’s when they decided to renovate the area. Here at Chicago Metal Supply, we are proud to be working with the city and the roofing contractors Gilbert and Becker on this project. The goal is to keep the original charm and aesthetics with a bit of modern flair to make it more inviting. Check out the rest of the article for details on the key pieces of the project! 

1 - A massive makeover 

The original City Hall renovation is set to be a massive undertaking. With $70 million allocated to it, it’s planned to take place over the next two years. The goal is to transform the plaza into a citizen-friendly area — a place where Boston residents and tourists can lounge, congregate and participate in a variety of events. Some of the primary updates to the old City Hall and its surrounding Plaza will include the following: 

2 - Original city hall building restoration 

Chicago Metal Supply has been heavily involved in the original City Hall building’s historical restoration. We have provided custom copper dormers, custom cornice work with intricate stampings, decorative custom fabrication and more. As with all of our restoration projects, we’ve used the highest quality metals to give the building a regal look. 

3 - A park area 

To make the Plaza more desirable, there are plans to implement a 12,000 square foot park within its confines. This park will include everything from playground equipment, to a water attraction, to green space and more. It will cater to children, specifically, though it will be a fun place for everyone to enjoy. 

4 - Seating 

There currently is not a lot of seating in the Plaza. The renovation plans to rectify this, implementing around 3,000 seats, all shaded and free from the sun. 

5 - Tree planting 

The original City Hall Plaza is known for being a high-wind area. As such, it’s not always the most inviting place to be. To mitigate this problem, the renovation will involve the planting of hundreds of trees. These trees will not only reduce the effects of high winds, but they should add a new charm to the plaza itself. 

6 - A stage 

The city wants to turn the Plaza into a venue for public entertainment. To facilitate this, they’re planning on building a stage in the area. This stage will be used for everything from live music to public demonstrations and more. It will be joined by a large, open area where visitors can stand and congregate. 

7 - Permeable surfaces 

During heavy storms, flooding is often an issue in the Plaza. This is why the renovation will include the installation of a number of permeable surfaces. These surfaces are intended to soak up rainwater, keeping flooding and run-off to a minimum. 

8 - Environmental measures 

The city of Boston is known for being highly conscious of environmental issues and does everything it can to meet environmental standards. As such, the renovation of the Plaza will include a variety of environmental measures. 

One of these measures is the replacement of lighting. Traditional lighting will be swapped out in exchange for high-efficiency LED lighting. The renovation will also include the use of recycled brick and granite (around 22,500 feet worth). 

Original article source: Chicago Metal Supply