Hynes Convention Center

[atlrvr]

A state panel today will reject Gov. Romney's plan to sell off Hynes for redevelopment. They instead will recommend the state maintains operating it and enhances the ground floor facade along Bolyston to accomodate retail and restaurants.

Members of the commission, meeting last night to review a final report due to be released this morning, will urge the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, which owns the Boylston Street hall, to make aggressive efforts to redevelop its first floor with shops, restaurants, or other businesses and take other steps to reduce Hynes deficits, which must be covered with state funds.

[Cotuit]

That would certainly help liven up both sides of Boylston (combined with the new Mandarin shops). though I'm thinkining it might be awkward with the driveway for the Convention Center making it a little pedestrian unfriendly.

[tombarnes]

Didn't they just spend lots of $$$ rebuilding the Hynes a few years ago? Getting rid of it seems like a stupid idea, but adding retail and restaurants streetside is a great idea.

[atlrvr]

After years of uncertainty about whether Boston needed a second convention center, the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority yesterday unveiled plans to spend roughly $18 million renovating the Hynes and adding an estimated 30,000 square feet of retail space.