Downtown Crossing
Holey moley: Developer that actually builds things downtown to take lead on Filene's project
By adamg - 2/3/12 - 6:37 am
The lights were on but nobody was home the other night, CKP reports.
The Globe reports Millennium Partners has struck a deal with the owner of the Hole to actually build a tower on the negative space on Washington Street.
Millennium Partners built the Ritz and is currently building a new residential tower on the other side of Washington Street. Vornado Realty Trust of New York tore down most of Filene's - it will remain a "passive" partner in the new project.
Details of the plan - such as the exact specs of the tower and whether the city sweetened the deal with promises of Liberty Mutual-style tax breaks - remain unknown. The Globe says Millennium Partners expects to file its proposal within two months.
Imagine the Hole full of college students
By adamg - 1/25/12 - 5:33 pmThe Globe reports Suffolk University is looking at possibly becoming even more of a presence in Downtown Crossing - where it already butts up against Emerson College - by selling off four Beacon Hill buildings and doing something interesting with either the abandoned Border's building, the Filene's Hole or both.
The City that Always Sleeps tells owner of downtown Mexican place to take some Lunesta
By adamg - 1/18/12 - 10:17 pmThe Metro reports city officials oppose the idea of a Mexican restaurant on Bromfield Street staying open until 4:30 a.m. It would attract drunks, police say. That's almost 24-hour food service, licensing-board head grumps.
City officials allowed as how they might let Tequila Mexican Grill stay open until 2 a.m., but only after the owner meets with nearby residents. Apparently, only the so-called Innovation District will be allowed to have late-night food, if you don't count the 24-hour license the South Street Diner has, but, sheesh, that's just a few blocks away from the Innovation District and right near the new gateway the city and state want to build for our world-class city by South Station. Certainly nowhere near downtown.
Man charged with armed robbery in the heart of Downtown Crossing - right where all the cops hang out
By adamg - 1/16/12 - 12:52 pmBoston Police report arresting a man for holding a woman up at Winter and Washington streets around 5:30 p.m. yesterday.
Police charge that Hector Felipe Castro, 28, rode up in an elevator from the Downtown Crossing T stop with his victim and that when they got out, he pressed a blunt object to her back and demanded everything she had. When she said she had nothing, police say, he reached into her pockets and grabbed her cell phone and money and then ran away - right into the arms of bicycle cops who'd seen the struggle and who captured him after a brief run.
Innocent, etc.
The City that Always Sleeps to grapple with issue of late-night burritos and nachos
By adamg - 1/12/12 - 5:25 pmTequila Mexican Grill, 55 Bromfield St., goes before the Boston Licensing Board on Jan. 18 for permission to extend its closing time from 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
On the one hand, you would think if any part of the city would not only tolerate but welcome late-night food, it would be Downtown Crossing, home to a growing population of people who actually like living in the middle of a city. On the other hand, well, this is Boston.
Harping on the Orange Line
By adamg - 1/1/12 - 6:43 pm
Katia enjoyed a harp player at Downtown Crossing today.
Orange Line commute delayed by guy wandering around tunnel near Downtown Crossing
By adamg - 12/22/11 - 6:24 pmTrains in both directions came to a halt this evening as police ordered power to the third rails shut off while they got the guy off the tracks.
Meanwhile, three hours earlier in Newton, police were dispatched to Metacomet Road on a report of "a naked man doing pushups." Unfortunately, or fortunately as the case may be, he completed his reps and left before police arrived.
Sovereign Bank branch in Downtown Crossing held up
By adamg - 12/16/11 - 5:04 pmAt 125 Summer St. shortly before 5 p.m. by a short white guy who ran toward Washington Street.
The branch was last held up in July.
At night, when the bars close down, the ghost of Sgt. Schultz patrols Downtown Crossing
By adamg - 12/13/11 - 5:02 pmIf it weren't for all the 911 calls and the dazed and bloodied man police found lying in the street, you'd think nothing at all happened outside Mantra early on Oct. 29.
Workers at the Temple Place bar, including the head bouncer, told the Boston Licensing Board this morning they didn't call police because after they closed up around 1 a.m. - and checked the street outside and found it clear - they heard nothing, even though a police report read into evidence said the manager on duty acknowledged a brawl outside.
The smart kids knew to ask the guy claiming to be a cop to see his badge
By adamg - 11/13/11 - 1:26 pm
Boston Police report they are looking for a guy who allegedly tried to get three male teens at Macy's downtown into his car by telling them he was a police officer who would give them a ride home - after he'd followed them around "for a few hours."
Police say the man - In his late 20s or early 30s, 5'9" with a slim build, brown hair and blue eyes - approached the teens around 2:30 p.m. yesterday at the Downtown Crossing store:
According to the teens, the suspect stated, "I am a cop and I have a car upstairs. I'll give you a ride home." At this point, the teens asked the suspect to prove that he was a police officer by asking him to show them his badge. When the suspect refused, the teens say they fled the store.
If you know him, contact A-1 detectives at 617-343-4240 or the anonymous tip line by calling 800-494-TIPS or texting the word TIP to CRIME (27463).
