Watchfull_Hosemaster

Watchfull_Hosemaster t1_itvgg1f wrote

The West End and Scollay Square neighborhoods were obliterated to make way not only for a highway, but for an underutilized wasteland of concrete to serve bureaucracy and government purposes (City Hall, IRS Building, JFK Federal Building).

​

Downtown looks different, but this is due to redevelopment to make way for modern high-rises and an evolving commercial district.

The West End is still a weird area that feels like a little gated community. The Big Dig opened up a lot of the area for good redevelopment in the Bulfinch Triangle/North Station area and throughout downtown and the Seaport, though.

It would be nice to see this graphic a little zoomed out so we could see the Seaport area.

1

Watchfull_Hosemaster t1_itsiu2a wrote

This is why we need a massive upgrade to our passenger rail system in the northeast. We shouldn't even need to fly between Massachusetts and New York. It's such a hassle to fly and if we consider the door to door time of flying (how long it takes from when you leave your home to getting to your meeting), you're probably not even saving much time compared to driving directly to NYC or driving to the Metro North line in New Haven and hopping on that.

A train trip from Union Station to Grand Central Station on a high speed rail would be far more efficient than a flight from the edge of Worcester to an airport on the south coast of Queens that still requires a decent amount of travel just to get into Manhattan.

2

Watchfull_Hosemaster t1_it2xs7d wrote

A lot of the towns around Boston can be "quaint". Newton has some quaint village areas. Needham, Belmont, Winchester, Woburn, Milton all have a quaint feel to them depending on where you are.

The further away from Boston you go, the quainter shit gets. When you're out into the 495 ring, you're going for peak quaintness. Bolton, Harvard, Medfield, Mendon, Medway, Holliston, Hopkinton, South/West/Northborough, Groton, etc. all take steroids for quaintness. As you approach central Mass, you have towns like Upton, Millville, Grafton, Millbury, and many others that have the same feel. I'm talking like apple orchards, farm stands, downtown villages with things like cobblers, coffee shops, and maybe a blacksmith or two. Pumpkin patches, horse farms, and ice cream stands with their own cows are all over the place.

Most of these towns have the feel of sundown towns, though - you won't see too much racial diversity anywhere.

2

Watchfull_Hosemaster t1_isyrid7 wrote

No, I don't think that it's needed right now. They should work on building out the WRTA bus system first and have a connector between the WRTA and MART systems. Maybe have a WRTA bus route between Union Station and the Fitchburg multi-modal station.

​

There needs to be enormous demand to justify a massive project like a new commuter rail line.

48

Watchfull_Hosemaster t1_iryccv0 wrote

Whoever is behind this wants to feel good about themselves for when they drive back to Shrewsbury or some other town to attend a planning board hearing to oppose the affordable housing development across town so they don't have to deal with the riff-raff coming in.

​

The people behind this likely live in towns that resemble modern day plantations. Large suburban homes sprawling along streets with names like Fox Run, Vista View, Pine Ledge Drive, etc. where half of the residents have hired help that come in from Worcester, Fitchburg, and other areas these do-gooder/do-nothingers would never find themselves in.

6

Watchfull_Hosemaster t1_irybtvq wrote

Who's behind this? Did UMass receive complaints from people about how they were offended by the name of the street or is this one of those situations where some eggheaded higher-ups want to put forth an empty gesture and pat themselves on the back?

​

I highly doubt that there are more than a handful of people that care or are somehow hurt by the name of Plantation Street.

​

This is one of those instances where an institution of some sort feels the need to create an issue where one never really existed just so they can pontificate and virtue signal.

3

Watchfull_Hosemaster t1_iry0cz9 wrote

I just tried the Acoustic Java near Rotman's and recommend it.

I also love New Tradition. I think it's on Jackson Street in the Main South area.

iKrave on Park Ave doesn't get enough recognition. It's good for more of a donut shop style coffee and iced coffee. They have some great muffins and other baked good, too. Definitely not that hipster vibe you get at the first two places but it's been my go to for a quick morning coffee before work.

9

Watchfull_Hosemaster t1_irb693p wrote

What kind of music are you into?

Vincent's always has live music - seems to be more blues based rock when I go which I love.

Ralph's Diner has a ton of music too. Not really my scene there but it's popular. Not sure what's going on there tonight.

Rascal's also has a lot of live music on a pretty regular basis.

The new Off The Rails has larger regional touring acts coming through - not sure if they do it on a nightly basis.

Steel and Wire (the old Nick's) has regular music and events. Haven't been there since they re-opened as the new place though.

3

Watchfull_Hosemaster t1_ir7jbyc wrote

If you're looking within Worcester, the Green Hill Golf Course has a nice event space in their restaurant. I'm not sure if the restaurant stays open year round.

https://grillonthehillworcester.com/book-function/

You should check around other golf courses, too. Cyprian Keyes in Boylston has all sorts of function space. Again, not sure what the deal is in the winter but some of these places might do year-round functions even if the golf course is closed.

https://www.cypriankeyes.com/outings-events/function-rooms

3

Watchfull_Hosemaster t1_ir7iu52 wrote

It's a bit further for you and closer to the western Mass family members, but the Public House in Sturbridge might be a good option. They have rooms of various sizes for this type of thing.

Cedar Street Grille is also good and I know they do smaller groups - not sure about this size but you can call and check. Easy access off of the Pike, too.

8