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DECEMBER 24, 2020 BOOK YOUR POST IT Call Your Advertising Rep TTHEHE BBEEACONACON HHILLILL TTIMESIMES (781)485-0588 THERE ARE NO TIMES LIKE THESE TIMES Agency releases Joel Pierce receives 24th draft project proposal for annual Beacon Award Hurley Building By Dan Murphy chairman for one year circa 1983. In 1993, he began his tenure as redevelopment Joel Pierce, who served on the the Civic Association’s nominee Beacon Hill Architectural Com- to the Beacon Hill Architectural mission for nearly three decades By Dan Murphy Commission and would go on to before stepping down earlier this dutifully serve in that role until his The state’s Division of Capital year, has been named the recipient retirement in July of this year. Asset Management and Mainte- of the Beacon Hill Civic Associa- “I’ve lived on the same block nance presented its draft project tion’s 24th annual Beacon Award for almost 43 years now,” Pierce proposal for the redevelopment for his “significant and sustained said, “and I served on the Archi- of the Charles F. Hurley Building contribution” to the community. tectural Commission for about during a virtual meeting on Dec. “I never though I’d be in the half that time.” 17. running,” Pierce said. “I saw the Unlike some other commis- Bound on three sides by Stani- names of the previous winners and sioners he served alongside, Pierce ford, Cambridge and New Char- was surprised to be in such distin- wasn’t an architect by profession, don streets, the Brutalist building guished company.” but instead an attorney, and while occupies about 327,000 gross Pierce moved to Beacon Hill he said his legal background some- square-feet, and has an additional in 1978 and joined the Civic times came in handy during his 241,000 square footage of unused Association’s board of directors space on a 3½-acre site. The build- the following year, serving as its (AWARD, Pg. 3) ing, which opened in 1971, and now faces an estimated $225+ million in capital renewal needs, BHAC approves application currently provides office space for around 680 employees working in the Department of Unemployment for Suffolk University’s awnings Assistance, MassHire and several By Dan Murphy “We’re not attaching anything other state labor and workforce to the façade of the building,” departments. The Beacon Hill Architectur- Nucci said. “We’re simply using DCAMM expects to issue a al Commission approved Suffolk the awning for signage purposes.” Request for Proposals (RFP) early SNOW University’s application to install The commission also approved next year, said Abi Vladeck, a new awnings at 22 Beacon St. at an application for 104 Mt. Vernon senior project manager with the ON THE its monthly hearing that took place St. to install two granite agency, and then to designate a virtually on Thursday, Dec. 17. window wells with removable, private redevelopment partner for HILL John Nucci, Suffolk’s senior flush steel grates at the ground the project in late ’21. Construc- vice president of external affairs, level on the building’s front facade, tion is subsequently scheduled to said the signage would be mini- keeping the top of the granite and commence in 2023, she said, and mal and intended only to identify the grates flush with the brick side- to wrap up around two years later. The Dec. 17 snow the location, which be designated walk. The project’s goals, Vladeck turned Chestnut solely for administrative use and A piece of wood was secured said, include finding a cost-effec- Street into a winter operate only between the hours of in front each of the two base- tive solution for renewing and wonderland. For 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ment-level windows, said Brigid some, the snow replacing the outdated building, as The new awnings, which would Williams, the project’s architect, meant shoveling, but well as to provide office space for be marine blue in color and iden- during the installation of the side- for Cosmo Shattock tical in style as the blade banners walk, which sits “quite a bit higher the state under long-term leases, (photo right) it as well as to reduce the “super- found at 8 Ashburton Place and 73 than the window sills.],” and this meant time to get Tremont St., would replace exist- block” effect through which the out and play. has subsequently caused rainwa- site was conceived to secure it ing awnings at the proposed loca- ter to accumulate on the wooden from automobiles. tion, Nucci said, and be installed there using existing hardware. In an effort to address neighbor- (BHAC Pg. 4) hood and preservation concerns, DCAMM will offer the entire site as part of the project, including the open space surrounding the Wishing you & your families abutting Erich Lindemann Mental a safe and healthy Christmas Health Center (although no per- The office will be closed Thursday Dec. 24 and manent structures will be allowed Friday, Dec. 25 & Thursday, Dec. 31, and Friday, Jan. 1. there, and could result in the ter- mination of the lease). Advertising deadlines for New Years week: The redevelopment project Weds. Dec. 23 must include 200 parking spac- To submit ads: [email protected] To submit copy: [email protected] (HURLEY, Pg. 4) PAGE 2 THE BEACON HILL TIMES DECEMBER 24, 2020 editorial THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS The Christmas season usually is the most wonderful time of the year. But Christmas, 2020, is anything but wonderful. We are undergoing a degree of hardship unlike any that we have expe- rienced in our lifetime. More Americans are dying each and every day from the coronavirus than perished in any of our wars or on 9/11. As the cumulative death toll inexorably continues to climb, the total number of Americans who will have been killed by the virus likely will exceed all of the combat deaths in all of our wars against a foreign enemy. The death count from the pandemic only tells part of the story, how- ever. Those who have survived a bout with the virus face an uncertain future because of the serious long-term health effects on their vital organs. The burden that has been placed upon our doctors, nurses, and other front-line workers has been enormous and continues to grow as the virus relentlessly attacks our populace and fills our hospitals to overflowing. In addition, the economic impact of the pandemic has been profound for the millions of Americans who have lost their jobs, their businesses, and their homes. Millions of Americans, including one in five children, do not have enough to eat. The lines of cars at food banks stretch for miles. For our nation’s young people, the virus has disrupted their lives to such an extent that economists say the effects upon their education and future job prospects will linger for years to come. GUEST OP-ED The pandemic has eviscerated the usual holiday celebrations that bring together family, friends, and colleagues, adding to the mental health and anxiety issues, especially for older Americans, that are a by-product of Staying safe during the holiday season the constant stress in our lives. But amidst all of the chaos and danger that society is facing, this holi- By Mayor Martin J. Walsh private gatherings. That is some- been struggling during this dif- thing we can all avoid, and that ficult time. We are encouraging day season has provided us with an opportunity to discover a new-found I want to wish everyone a very responsibility sits on all of our people to find safe ways to sup- appreciation for the things that really matter in our lives. happy holiday season, and hope shoulders. port neighborhood businesses. With the usual holiday frenzy of parties, gift-shopping, vacations, and that the remainder of this year So, like we did before Thanks- As a reminder, we offer free, two- other self-indulgent pursuits no longer viable, we have a unique oppor- brings you the opportunity to giving, we are urging everyone hour parking on Saturdays at all reflect on this year, and take time to only celebrate with the people parking meters across the City, tunity to reflect on what is really important: The health and safety of to prioritize your health and well- you live with. There should be no and this will be available until the ourselves and our loved ones, as well as the urgent need to assist those ness. We know that this is a very holiday parties — that means no end of the year. who find themselves in dire straits this holiday season. different holiday season. This is family gatherings or assemblies of I also ask everyone to think more than 10 people who aren’t a about the families who are strug- We hope that all of our readers will heed the warnings of our public usually the time for traditions and gathering with friends and family, part of your household. And we gling to make ends meet. With the health officials and that those with the means to do so will help the vast and many people will be hoping are strongly encouraging all Bos- needs in our communities great- numbers of our less-fortunate fellow Americans. for some normalcy. But, as we ton residents not to travel. Travel er than ever this year, collecting If we do these things, we will come to a true understanding of what all know, this isn’t a normal year. increases the chance of getting and toys will be a challenge for fami- That’s why this holiday season has spreading COVID-19.