By Mike Harrington
BOSTON -- The Sabres are breaking ground in a few weeks on Harbor Center, Terry Pegula's $123 million pet project in front of First Niagara Center that will feature a hotel, restaurant and two hockey rinks. By the drawings I've seen and the conversations I've had with people about it, it should be spectacular and another game-changer downtown.
Just a parking lot and it will now be a destination spot. The Boston Bruins are planning something similar on a lot in front of TD Garden -- on the spot that used to be the home of the old Boston Garden.
The Bruins are planning a pair of 400-foot-plus towers on the site. A Target department store, a supermarket, offices, residences. See the link with the story from the Globe. It will really add to the neighborhood, which is already busy because the Garden is actually atop North Station, a prime transportation hub for the city and its suburbs.
The new Garden is a boiler plate arena and there's some bars and restaurants nearby, certainly much more than near the FNC. But the place is just plain ugly. Nothing but a concrete wall. Here's what I saw today walking there and crossing Causeway Street:
Now put two 400-foot towers on the spot. Shopping. Residences. Going to a Bruins game -- or a Celtics game -- could be quite an experience in a few years. Urban planners must be loving the thought.
tagged
Boston Bruins | First Niagara Center
