“This is the centerpiece of Downtown Crossing,’’ said Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who had repeatedly lashed out at Vornado Realty Trust, the previous lead developer that faced financing problems and never moved forward with work after demolishing the Filene’s building in 2008. “We don’t want low-hanging-fruit retailers. You have to pay attention to the historic roots. I’m trying to be practical. But it’s good to have people dream.’’
Millennium Partners, which declined to comment, is hoping to begin construction within a year, and intends to present a plan in several months. In the meantime, we asked various stakeholders to offer their advice on what kinds of components should be incorporated into the massive project.
Major themes that emerged from those conversations included making the top floors of the building accessible to the public with attractions such as an observatory and restaurant. A grocery store is also high on wish lists, with specialty markets Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods receiving specific mentions. It’s important to create an interactive, entertainment destination as part of the project, according to some stakeholders, rather than just offer an assortment of merchants hawking goods. They also emphasized that the development should pay tribute to the retail district’s historic past - it was for many years home to Filene’s Basement and old-style department store Jordan Marsh - while also providing a vision for a vibrant Downtown Crossing.
Jenn Abelson can be reached at abelson@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @jennabelson.
Visions for renewal
Bostonians share their dreams for the neighborhood:
Look, up in the air
JEROLD KAYDEN, professor of Urban Planning and Design, Harvard University’s graduate school of design
1. An extraordinary indoor entertainment space
2. A rooftop observatory
3. An inviting indoor public space
