"It was something that was an important part of his mission when he was here and I think it was appropriate for him to leave us with his vision going forward," Ed Pignone, vice president of communication at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, tells GlobeSt.com. Natsios made his remarks in a speech to the Chamber of Commerce.
Reportedly, Natsios met with members of the Greek-American community here to ask them to help fund an ampitheater here with as many as 600 seats, an archway, a restaurant and an open area. Natsios also recommended a large water fountain for the site and said planners are looking at various fountain designers. The fountain could be funded by the Surface Artery budget, which is $30 million for large projects and $35 million for smaller ticket items.
Until now, suggestions have not been as bold, focusing on tourist information kiosks, cafes and possibly a carousel. Other ideas have included walkways, plazas, benches and other gathering spaces.
Plans for the Surface Artery have stalled as city, state, and project officials disagree on a host of issues such as who will pay to maintain the project, what should get built there and who gets to control it. Recently, the Legislature's Central Artery Surface Restoration Commission, a 12-member body that is supposed to decide what to do with the land, agreed to establish a nonprofit trust, a board of overseers, a community-based advisory panel and a small administrative staff for the Surface Artery.
The group cannot agree on who gets to appoint members to the nonprofit trust. Both the Turnpike and the city want a say in how the property is managed.
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