The proposed site for the lab
Boston Courant
November 12, 2004
After months of controversy over the potential dangers of studying the world’s deadliest diseases in a proposed South End laboratory, last week the city addressed a more benign aspect of the project: its landscaping.
The South End Landmark District Commission told the lab’s architects that their designs were generally agreeable but asked that they make some changes, including improving the view down East Brookline Street.
“It’s very important that you develop it in a way to recognize the view corridor from East Brookline,” said Commissioner John Freeman.
He later added, “This is a lot better design than I expected it to be. It could have been an incredibly institutional building, but it actually looks like it could work with the neighborhood.”
The architects’ plans showed a thin, tree-lined park along Albany Street, with a cluster of trees at East Brookline Street. The commissioners said they liked the park, but did not want the view down East Brookline Street to terminate with the grove of trees. They said they want people to see straight to the lab, which needs a 150 foot setback for security reasons.
The architects said they will incorporate the commissioners’ suggestions into new drawings and come back in a month.
“We have to meet the security requirements, which are very important, but we also don’t want it to appear to be prison-like or foreboding as it borders the South End,” said project architect Mark Samse.
The Commission reviews development proposals to ensure they keep with the neighborhood’s historic character.
Boston University Medical Center (BUMC) will operate the lab, which will be one of several buildings in a biomedical complex that runs along Albany Street and stretches from East Concord Street to East Canton Street.
Scientists at the high-security facility will study treatments and cures for rare and emerging infectious diseases. Opponents argue that an accidental release of those diseases in an urban setting could lead to an epidemic.
BUMC maintains that the lab will be safe. Its assessment was backed by a federal draft environmental impact report released last month. A public hearing on the draft statement will be held Wednesday, November 10 from 7 to 9 pm at Faneuil Hall.
The Boston Courant