The Boston Landmarks Commission (BLC) is the Boston agency charged with administering and educating the public on the city's preservation law. The commission was created in 1975.
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History
The Housing Act of 1949, part of President Harry Truman's Fair Deal, started urban renewal in the United States. In Boston, almost a third of the old city was demolished, including the historic West End to make way for a new highway, low- and moderate-income high-rises, and new government and commercial buildings. The Boston Landmarks Commission was created by legislation in 1975 as a response to the mass demolitions, particularly the demolition of the Jordan Marsh Building on Washington Street. Built in the 1860s, the ornate building featured a landmark corner clock tower designed by Nathaniel J. Bradlee. Along with an entire row of annex buildings, the building was torn down in 1975 and replaced by a new building. Public outrage and grass roots protests influenced preservation legislation and sparked preservation action. There are now over 8000 properties listed as individual Landmarks or located within Boston’s local historic districts.
Role
The chief responsibilities of the Landmark Commission include identifying historic buildings and places by compiling survey forms on individual buildings and places, protecting and recognizing historic properties through designation, and preserving designated Landmarks through design review. The BLC also administers Article 85 Demolition Delay for buildings in Boston. When a building is determined by BLC staff to be significant, the public is invited to testify at a public hearing. If the BLC invokes a 90-day Demolition Delay as a result, there is an opportunity for the community to participate in discussion about the building with the developer and explore alternatives to demolition.
The Commission meets twice a month on second and fourth Tuesdays - Design Review is prior to the fourth Tuesday hearings. Applicants that propose changes to a Landmark present present their projects and the public is invited to comment.
Commissioners
Commissioners are nominated by professional and neighborhood organizations, and appointed by the Mayor. Most are also confirmed by City Council. All commissioner positions are voluntary. There are 85 commissioner slots among the Boston Landmarks Commission and the 9 local historic commissions, although BLC commissioners also hold slots on local commissions.
Historic Districts
There are currently 7 historic designated districts and 2 architectural districts. Each district has its own commission staffed by a preservation planner within the Boston Landmarks Commission. The commissioners assure that the architectural and historical integrity of the district is not compromised. The districts include:
Fort Point was most recently designated in 2008 after the Boston Wharf Co.-owned 55-acre industrial area was sold to several buyers.