Hynes’ sale must be about arts, not money
Massachusetts has the opportunity to give its state capitol a permanent performing arts center with the sale of the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center. The building should not just go to the highest bidder but one that will commit serious square footage dedicated to the arts.
Sadly, Boston is the only world-class city that does not have a dedicated performing arts center.
We don’t need another One Dalton, high-end condo building — that does nothing for the fabric of the city.
This historic building is in the cultural heart of Boston and we are in danger of just selling it without getting more than just a fat paycheck to fund the expansion of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in the Seaport.
There is a reason why lawmakers have to file a bill in order to sell such an important piece of real estate — and residents should demand more from this sale and ensure a cultural component is attached.
Gov. Charlie Baker is being financially smart by looking to pay for the BCEC expansion by selling this state building. However, we need to think beyond just the financial potential here.
An arts-themed building is exactly what Boston needs and deserves!
With so much emphasis on the Seaport of Boston, this performing arts center would allow residents and visitors the ability to better experience the arts in the city. Consider the location on Boylston Street, a short distance to the Boston Public Library, Berklee and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Currently, the Boston Ballet operates out of the Opera House on Washington Street. It is never a perfect dynamic having a not-for-profit renting from a for-profit business. However, the Ballet does not have it quite as bad as New England’s largest opera company. Recall how in 2015 the Boston Lyric Opera did not renew its lease at the Citi Shubert Theatre — its home for nearly two decades. Ever since, they have gone from venue to venue for each season.
Boston deserves its own Lincoln Center and this could be the last opportunity to make that happen. Hopefully lawmakers will stand for the arts and not just the bottom line.