Community Groups Seek Mall Repairs

Once again discussions centered around the Paul Revere Mall (Prado) at last week’s NEWRA Parks and Open Spaces Committee monthly meeting held at the Nazzaro Community Center.

Matt Black, a member of the Friends of the Prado, gave the committee an overview of the condition of the Mall which is on the Freedom Trail leading to the Old North Church. He told members that the major problem in the Prado seems to be the ground bricks, drainage and tree maintenance.

The Friends have been making some repairs but it appears that a major rehabilitation program is needed.

Black said, “The Friends work closely with the Old North Church, Boston Shines, City agencies and the North End Music and Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC) to clean-up and schedule activities in the Mall.” Black is the new President of NEMPAC.

Committee members noted that during the winter months the Mall is like a skating rink. The committee is still attempting to meet with City officials and a representative from the George Robert White Fund to discuss a possible capital program project to revitalize the Prado.

Currently there has been no settlement on who is responsible for repairing the wall where the chain link fence has been closed off. The building landlord and the City are still in litigation.

The next committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 6 at 7pm in the Nazzaro Community Center, 30 North Bennet Street.