Boston Landmarks Commission

The Boston Landmarks Commission (BLC) is the Boston agency charged with administrating and educating the public on the city's preservation law. The commission was created in 1975.

History

The Housing Act of 1949, a part of President Harry Truman's Fair Deal kick started urban renewal in the United States . In Boston, almost a third of the old city was demolished-including the historic West End to make way for a new highway, low- and moderate-income high-rises and new government and commercial buildings.^[1] The Boston Landmarks Commission was created by legislation in 1975 as a response to the mass demolitions but most notably to the demolition of the Jordan Marsh Building on Washington Street. Built in the 1860s, the ornate building featured a landmark corner clock tower designed by Nathaniel J. Bradlee and home to Boston's annual Christmas display the Enchanted Village. Along with its entire row of historic annex buildings, the building was torn down in 1975 and replaced by the Macy's building. Public outrage and grass roots protests influenced preservation legislation greatly as well as helped spring forth modern day preservation agencies.^[2] There are now over 8000 properties listed as individual Landmarks or located within Boston’s local historic districts.^[3]

Role

The chief responsibilities of the Landmark Commission include indentifying historic buildings and places by compiling survey forms on individual buildings and places as well as protecting and recognizing historic properties through designation. The BLC also administers Article 85 Demolition Delay Review for significant buildings that are over 50 years old. Delay to demolition allows the community the opportunity to participate in public discussion about the building and allows time for alternative options to demolition.^[4]

The commission meets twice a month where a representative of a project presents their project and the public is invited to comment.^[5]

Commissioners

Commissioners are nominated by professional and neighborhood organizations, as well as appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by City Council. All commissioner positions are voluntary. There are 85 commissioner positions among the Boston Landmarks Commission and the 9 local historic commissions, though BLC commissioners can also take part in local commissions.

Historic Districts

There are currently 7 historic designated districts and 2 architectural districts. Each District has its own commission and preservation planner within the Boston Landmarks Commission. The commissions assure that the architectural and historical integrity of the district is not compromised. The districts include:

• Historic Beacon Hill District ^[6]
• Back Bay Architectural District ^[7]
• Bay State Road/ Back Bay West Architectural Conservation District ^[8]
• St. Botolph Architectural Conservation District ^[9]
• Bay Village Historic District ^[10]
• South End Landmark District ^[11]
• Mission Hill Triangle Architectural Conservation District ^[12]
• Aberdeen Architectural Conservation District ^[13]
• Fort Point Channel Landmark District ^[14]

Fort Point was most recently designated in 2008 after the once Boston Wharf Co. all-owned 55-acre industrial area was sold to several buyers at the Boston Wharf Company.

References