336 Pearl Street is the former home of Treasure Mine Mall, and for many years before that, the Fashion Shop.We were walking past it one night last week and stopped to chat with the nice folks who were busily working on preliminary cleaning, with plans to use it the space, hopefully soon.
I'm hesitant to make this a matter of public record for fear of jinxing the project. All I'll ask is this: Are any readers interested in the best Mexican food in the area being available in the heart of downtown?
(photo courtesy of the Hoagland real estate firm)
Been hearing that but is this not about 10k square feet I heard someone speaking of as it related to a womans retaill store coming in...
ReplyDeleteI know who you are speaking of, and I think this will be GREAT!
ReplyDeleteMy early radar system went off on this one a while back.
I dont think there is any stopping the rebirth of downtown now, with this, BSB, Wicks, everything!
A downtown Taco Bell? Awesome!
ReplyDeleteAnd on the complete opposite end of the mexican tablefare scale, Taco Tico is returning to the old KFC on C-town road.
ReplyDeleteThey are disgusting, grease filled, artery cloggers, but there are times when a Taco Tico Taco Burger is as cravingly needed at a Slider from the WC lounge.
Dos taco mexicano por favor
ReplyDeletePombazo con carne asada, por favor.
ReplyDeleteGimme that big order of stuff in the aluminum foil.
ReplyDeletePlease.
ReplyDeletequeso and the quesadilla mixta please!
ReplyDeleteRegular visits via living close by means not having to choose a favorite. And that's my favorite part.
ReplyDeleteCan't see how it could hold a candle to La Bamba
ReplyDeleteDan Chandler - can they paint the corner with brightly colored Mexican murals? I'd like to see a 1/2 block long Frieda Kahlo mural up Spring Street side. There really is a Mexican place in Boston that did this, in a historic neighborhood and it was beautiful, everyone loved it.
ReplyDeleteGina, they'd have to get a COA for the mural. The guidelines do have sections pertaining to signs/advertisements/pictures painted on building exteriors, but the devil is in the details.
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ReplyDeleteG- that's a tricky subject, because a preservation commission finds itself having to apply style guidelines for the district and the building without running over the artist's/owner's free speech.
ReplyDeleteWhen I last looked at this issue (its been a few years) the published case law came down on the side of the preservation commissions (it usually does for a variety of reasons), but it's a fascinating topic. I'm sure there is a place for beautiful murals downtown.
Dan posted this on the wrong thread, so I repost it here to respond:
ReplyDeleteBW, that is tricky. Any first amendment claims could be countered by arguing the district guidelines are a permissible time, place and manner restriction. Again, the devil is in the details. Is it commercial speech (a beautiful scene of rural Mexico with people chomping on juicy tacos, accompanies by La Rosita's name), or is it political speech of some sort, which has higher constitutional protection?
It would behoove the artist to get a COA nonetheless. Contractors, wall painters, landlords and tenants are all liable for financial and other penalties, for violating the preservation guidelines.
For those exact reasons, the first amendment claims usually fail (or at least have failed in the past) and a preservation district should only be applying its design guidelines in the most consistent manner possible.
I'm just saying that, even though the law tends to favor preservation commission guidelines over free speech to put up a mural, it is a murky (and interesting) issue.
No matter what, someone might want to speak with Israel and make him aware of options. He may not know of them.
ReplyDeleteDo you have an email address for him? Someone can at least point him to the design guidelines at www.newalbanypreservation.com.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, contrary to the belief of some misguided folks in town, you need a COA even if you think you are following the guidelines.
Thanks BW...i'll try and aim better next time.
ReplyDeleteI took a closer look at the side of the TREASURE MINE MALL building yesterday. Agree with G - that would be a nice place for a mural.
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