Preserving Boston: Virtually

During the Coronavirus pandemic, life in Boston seemingly came to a screeching stop. Businesses, restaurants, and stores were closed, construction projects were stopped, and a curfew put into place. Despite the ban on in-person meetings and the need to work remotely, the Boston Landmarks Commission and district commissions have maintained a busy schedule of virtual public hearings and meetings to review projects that preserve and enhance our historic neighborhoods and landmark properties. 

While challenging at first, these virtual hearings have kept our work moving forward, and have allowed for an increase in public participation as members of the public can attend from the comfort of their homes. Information about our joining our public hearings and meetings are always available on the public notices page of the City’s website.

Since March 26, virtual public hearings have taken place and 214 projects have been approved that have an estimated cost of $127,885,014. These projects include:

• the construction of a new addition to the Faneuil Library in Brighton that features  a new accessible entry
• the construction of nine new rowhouses on an existing parking lot at the corner of Winchester Street and Edgerly Place in Bay Village, and
• installation of solar panels parish hall of the Theodore Parker Unitarian Church in West Roxbury.

We thank our commissioners and members of the public for their patience as we continue our virtual work to preserve Boston. Until further notice, we continue to only accept Design Review Applications with a signed extension form. Applications may be submitted by email with a hard copy and check for the application mailed to Environment Department, Room 709, Boston City Hall, 1 City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201.