Carl Barron Plaza

Carl Barron Plaza is a plaza in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. The space is named after Carl Barron,[1] who has been described as "a Central Square icon" and "a fixture in Cambridge". His office was located near the plaza.[2]

Carl Barron Plaza
The plaza at Massachusetts and Western Avenues in Central Square, Cambridge, in 2008
Location in Greater Boston
NamesakeCarl Barron
TypePlaza
LocationCambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.
Coordinates42.36538°N 71.10404°W / 42.36538; -71.10404
Construction
InaugurationLate 1980s

Description

The plaza is located at Massachusetts Avenue and Western Avenue in Central Square, Cambridge.[3] In 2019, Boston magazine's Megan Johnson described the plaza as "a place where transient folks often congregate", and noted the presence of a Cambridge Police Department (CPD) reporting station on site.[4] Ritsuko Taho's 1997 sculpture Multicultural Manifestoes "reveals the inner hopes of Cantabrigians of all ages and backgrounds".[5][6][7]

History

The space was dedicated during the late 1980s.[8] In 2014, Marc Levy of Cambridge Day wrote, "In an official December 2011 red ribbon report on the square, the plaza and the people most frequently found there were identified as making new residents 'uncomfortable'", despite the presence of benches and art welcoming visitors in various languages.[3] City Council supported a pilot program to bring performers and pushcarts to the plaza. The program received input from the Arts Council, Community Development Department, Department of Public Works, Inspectional Services Department, License Commission, and Police Department.[3]

In 2016, the AIDS Action Committee's Needle Exchange and Overdose Prevention Program hosted an Overdose Awareness Vigil at the plaza.[9]

The CPD reporting station opened in December 2018.[10][11] In 2019, Boston magazine's Megan Johnson said of the station's opening, "It's a move applauded by those looking for more of a police presence, and derided by others who see it as just another way of pushing out the existing population that doesn't fit into the visions of high-end real estate developers."[12] The Central Square Business Association intends to renovate the space in 2020.[13]

References
  1. "Carl Barron, 97, furniture leasing pioneer, philanthropist". The Boston Globe. March 3, 2014. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  2. Baldassari, Erin (February 26, 2014). "Remembering Carl Barron, a Central Square icon". WickedLocal.com. GateHouse Media. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  3. "Blight of Central Square's Barron Plaza will drag down pushcart test, some fear". Cambridge Day. 2014-06-17. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  4. Johnson, Megan (2019-01-08). "Neighborhood Guide: So You Want to Live in Central Square". Boston. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  5. "Multicultural Manifestoes: Ritsuko Taho". CultureNOW. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  6. "Dreams of Central Square: Prof. Ritsuko Taho Creates "Multicultural Manifestoes"". The Tech. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 116 (21). April 26, 1996. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  7. "Public Art ACTS 2006". Cambridge Arts Council. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  8. "Cambridge Confronts a Plaza That's Just Not Doing It for People". Curbed Boston. Vox Media. 2014-06-18. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  9. Handy, Natalie (August 2, 2016). "'Another chance at life:' Cambridge vigil highlights the hundreds of lives saved with Narcan". The Patriot Ledger. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  10. Saltzman, Amy. "Cambridge police return to Central Square with opening of substation". WickedLocal.com. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
  11. Saccone, Mike. "Cambridge Police opening substation in Central Square". WFXT. Retrieved 2020-04-17.
  12. Johnson, Megan (January 8, 2019). "So You Want to Live in Central Square". Boston. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  13. "Amazon is prepping Central Square space on plaza for merchandise pickup location". Cambridge Day. 2018-02-04. Retrieved 2020-01-19.
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