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BU sells Kenmore Square buildings - including the one the Citgo sign is on - to company with local roots
By adamg on Fri, 08/12/2016 - 10:05pm
BU Today reports the buyer is Related Beal, which turned the old Lovejoy Wharf into Converse's new world headquarters, and which is currently building an all-affordable apartment building near North Station.
Although the company is buying the buildings, BU will continue to own the land they're on. Not resolved: The future of the Citgo sign.
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Comments
Citgo sign
This is historical preservation taken to an absurd level.
Yes!
From reading the nonstop articles you'd think it was the statue of liberty. The journalists in this city care far more then the public.
I feel that way about "bostonstrong."
Nothing like turning what should have been an ephemeral statement reacting to a local tragedy into a context-less tourist slogan tweeted by sports figures and slapped onto over-priced t-shirts sold in airport gift shops.
Exactly.
The only people that find the Citgo sign "historic" are Red Sox fans from the burbs and Cow Hampshire.
Actual Bostonians couldn't care less. Take it down and put something a bit more classy.
- The Original SoBo Yuppie
Speak for yourself, bubbeleh
I don't find it particularly historic, not like the Shell sign on the other side of the river, but I like it. It's a beacon, a waypoint, a thing that says home.
I actually like the Citgo
I actually like the Citgo sign. It's a landmark with a small "l" and after I've been away, it reminds me that I'm home.
I'm a Bostonian
And I like it. And I certainly remember the C It Go craze. And appreciate it.
Apparently you consider yourself a Bostonian?
I hope
that Related Beal's recent history means the company actually cares about our city (unlike most developers) and will do the right thing.
okay but
Which one is "the right thing"?
In my opinion?
Keeping it. I don't think historic is the right word/designation, but iconic certainly is. The thing has been around longer than many of us have even been alive, efforts to make it a landmark go back 30 years, and it's part of the city. Maybe it's all of the "innovative," cookie-cutter crap going up all over town, but the thought of keeping something "old" around here that doesn't date back to the revolution is nice.
Related To Jennifer?
Oh
Adorable!
sell Citgo sign to a collector or scrapyard
That overly corporate thing never should have been put up in the first place.
10th grade me
is raising his fist in the air. Fight the corporations!
Let's get rid of TD Garden and the Prudential Tower while were at it.
Citgo sign should be replaced
with something like the big sign in Time's Square. I have no idea who would pay and sponsor it.
of course
you miserable sacks of shit don't like a very visible, well known, and harmless landmark, lmfao.
why so much angst, haters?
As a matter of fact I like neon. I like unusual neon signs. I was sad when the White Fuel sign was taken down. I still miss the Coca-Cola sign on Storrow Drive. Why is everyone tearing out their hair and spewing bile?
The entire country - perhaps even the world - has associated this sign with Fenway for 40+ years, no matter which corporate entity put it up.
The Landmark idea is not that absurd. Just move on.
It's Not A Neon Sign Anymore — It Was Changed To LEDs Years Ago
Kenmore Sq. sign gets high-tech makeover ( Boston Globe 2005 )
Fair point.
I remember the neon. I also remember when it wasn't there.
I'm old.
If you want to get super
If you want to get super technical about it, only the red part of the sign would have been neon to begin with. The blue part was probably argon. The white part I have no idea.
I agree
I think the sign should be preserved.
Tas shelter?
By selling the building and leasing the land, does this reduce the developer's property tax liability through a non-profit landowner?
Not sure if BU as land lord is a non-profit
Back when I knew about such things, the buildings were actually owned/managed by the 660 Corporation, a for-profit subsidiary. If that is still the case, then there is no tax dodge there.
Local roots?
Although they have engaged in development projects in Boston, I thought Related Beal was from New York. I think they also own the Equinox gym chain