In collaboration with the City of Boston and the MBTA, Halvorson Design Partnership as subconsultants to HDR, Inc. will soon break ground on the new Government Center subway station and the highly anticipated improvements to City Hall Plaza!

A product of the late 60's "urban renewal" program, the brutalist City Hall Plaza replaced what was once the lively commercial district of Scollay Square. The plaza, often colloquially referred to as "the brick desert," has been an underutilized mid-century space largely devoid of human activity. As Boston's first initiative through the Greening America's Capitals program, the new MBTA project will transform Government Center into a vibrant civic space once again. Pedestrian and bicycle access will be improved by incorporating sloped walks in lieu of steps, resulting in universal access between this important transit hub, Cambridge Street, and City Hall. Terraced seat walls allow for grade transitions and offer a variety of seating opportunities on the plaza.

The plan will mitigate the wind swept plaza with the introduction of tree bosques, providing summer shade for outdoor gathering and reducing the heat island effect. The trees will be planted in an open jointed permeable paving system over structural soil, increasing the life expectancy of the trees while maximizing stormwater infiltration. This reduction of impervious surfaces on the plaza will capture and treat "first flush" pollutants on site and minimize stormwater runoff leaving the site and entering the harbor. Halvorson Design Partblob:958F11C4-BF9E-4E8F-B46F-E6B200A92CC4nership has embraced the opportunity to engage sustainable approaches in the revitalization of Boston's landmark civic spaces. Our team is excited to reach this pivotal milestone in the planning of a more active and vital City Hall Plaza.