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Mark_Ockerbloom's Blog

by Mark_Ockerbloom from Dedham

Last Post 15 hours Ago

The Aquarium's Gotta Go!

Jul 9, 2008 | 7:01 PM
Category: News

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Count me in as one of the folks who loves the idea of putting a cap on the crappy cement fishbowl we call the aquarium. State Senator Jack Hart has a plan to relocate the aquarium to the Southie waterfront, and to me, it makes a lot of sense.

A new City Hall would take its place (another ugly building whose time has come) and then City Hall Plaza would be home to new development, hopefully something area residents and tourists can be excited about.

Let's face it, the aquarium is, in a word, underwhelming. Sure the fish, the sharks, the penguins are great, but the building itself is dark, dank and smells. On a list of things to do in Boston, it's near the bottom of the list when it should be near the top.

For a first class city like Boston, perched on the shores of the Atlantic and home to a rich fishing history, we deserve better.

As a member of our live chat at 5 pointed out, other cities have them and they are a work of art. Ours should be, too.

32 Comments | Add a Comment

Jul 9, 2008 | 9:20 PM

You scared me with the title of this entry, but after reading what you had to say, I couldn't agree with you more.

With the amount of science that goes on at and through that aquarium everyday, beyond the exhibits that the general public can see (I was witness to an autopsy of a beached dolphin a couple years back being performed in a glorified trailer), the need for a new building is there. And as you mention, with an exploding waterfront, thanks to the removal of that ugly barrier between downtown and the waterfront (the former elevated artery), why not have the aquarium move to another waterfront venue with more space and a newer state-of-the-art building?

If and when they do move, maybe they could reclaim the prize of having the world's largest salt water aquarium. The NEA's tank used to be the largest... now I think that title belongs to the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta (they already have the busiest airport anyway!).

legendkiller34

Jul 9, 2008 | 10:33 PM

Mark,
Before the city goes and WASTE'S more of the Tax paers hard earned money on another
"BIG DIG" OR THIS TIME BIG MOVE,
let's find out how many people actually go to this aquarium.
Now besides the janitors how many people actually work at city hall?
Money espicially in this economy could be far better spent on something else, than to move 2 buildings, some fish, and some desks.
If people want to go to the aquarium, they are going to go whether it's located in the
COMBAT ZONE or the NORTH END.

southendjohn

Jul 9, 2008 | 10:57 PM

Wow. He said crappy. ;-) But I agree. Our aquarium is one of the dullest ones out there and does have to go. but a new one has to stay where it is. It gets PEOPLE there and beings life to that area.

If we do move the aquarium, what goes there? Please, not city hall. It would end up being more foofy condos, which would kill the area. Perhaps a circus tourist trap like pier 39 in SF?

PJuliet
Jul 9, 2008 | 11:44 PM

It's very easy for you to sit back and opine about how the aquarium should go or get rebuilt or relocated or whatever, but, unless you have a cool $350mil hanging around that you'd like to donate to the cause, there ain't no new aquarium being built anywhere in this town. Are you asking the public to foot the bill? No? Then who...

Chip

Jul 10, 2008 | 5:54 AM

Government needs to deal with the effects of the price of heating oil on the elderly, who worked their entire lives and paid into a system called social security, with the stated afreement that it woud be their retirement, well before we spend a cool 350 mil on a new tourist attraction....

Graham_Cracker

Jul 10, 2008 | 8:09 AM

I think about the prospects of bringing thousands of excited tourists into Boston and spending their money while they're here. I'm pretty sure it would equal more tax-revenue. Then we could address some of the social issues in need of such revenue.
I'm fairly certain that if word got out that Boston had a spiffy, new, must-see aquarium; the multitudes would pour in and they'd bring their money.
Not to mention - of course - that I would personally be jazzed about a new aquarium. I'm the guy who is always taking rides down the street to check to see if there are any turtles that need help crossing the road. ...No...I'm not making that up.

JuneInMA

Jul 10, 2008 | 8:25 AM

Mark,

I agree that thing's gotta go! I don't know that it should go somewhere else, though. That area has a whole tourist attraction thing going and I don't think 'City Hall' would fit that look. I don't want to see a bunch of stuffed suits walking around an area designed to be relaxing. I like the aquarium right where it is, but we do need a new one.

However, I do agree with some of the folks here that right now may not be the best time to do it. This will undoubtly take tax payers money and frankly, I think people are at their brink with all the shenanigans that city officials have going. They really, really need to find someway to please the people first.

legendkiller34

Jul 10, 2008 | 9:46 AM

June,
The only way these officials will please us is if they WALKED IN OUR SHOES, INSTEAD OF JUST SELLING US BOOTS WE DON'T NEED.

jovanone

Jul 10, 2008 | 11:36 AM

What was the original price of the big dig going to cost do you remember? And what did it end up costing? What government project do you know of or any other project for that matter that starts out at one price and finishes at maybe two or three times over the projected figure it originally started out at? And who is going to pay for these cost over runs? You got it, John Q public. And do we really need that right now with people losing their jobs and homes and can’t afford to pay their heating bills? I don’t think so.

We’re all a bunch of small fish swimming with sharks in a large pond of over inflated government projects.

nomorehacks

Jul 10, 2008 | 12:29 PM

MAybe the Aquarium is old and ugly, and could be in a better location. City hall dose'nt belong on the waterfront. I can see all the city employees looking out the windows all day instead of working.The existing city hall location is fine, next to the JFK federal building, which I bet has enough vacant space to house the city hall employees. How about renovating city hall. So what if the exterior is ugly, it is a building of function only. More stupid ideas the will always cost the tax payers more, that has become the trademark of Massachusetts.

legendkiller34

Jul 10, 2008 | 2:59 PM

jovanone,
I might be wrong but I think the origional price was 14 million, Hey I got it
I've got the solution,
Mark are you reading this one?
Let's contact those guys that flip houses,
you know the ones that are A&E, they work within Budgets, and always finish on time,
I'm sure they could come up with a plan
to get the aquarium,and city hall looking better.

sirB

Jul 10, 2008 | 4:20 PM

nomorehacks,

They're looking out their windows all day and doing nothing now. There's no view in the world that can make it any worse.

A new fancy aquarium sounds good, but let's be realistic. Their are tons of ways that kind of money could be better spent, or BUDGETED for once.

Mark_Ockerbloom

Jul 10, 2008 | 6:22 PM

Folks, I agree the timing's not the best and there are more pressing issues. A well thought out plan with everyone on board is needed. And yes, the public would help foot the bill...they'll also get to enjoy it and as Graham_Cracker pointed out so too will the tourists who will spend their MONEY.

FreeAmerica

Jul 10, 2008 | 6:22 PM

I am not sure,but I think the largest "SALT WATER" tank is in Australia.I can't swear by it,but it isn't in the US.I have not been to the aquarium since the 70's.But I will agree with an upgrade is due.I will try to look up the location of the largest,and post info for it.But as I have heard,NEA needs a major upgrade,update.

mattatonic

Jul 10, 2008 | 7:01 PM

Tourists aren't going anywhere in this economy (which sucks, despite the dream world McCain and Gram are living in.) Let's get our economy together, and THEN make these changes, so that the then more secure public will be willing to spend the money to go and see the aquarium and other tourist spots.

jovanone

Jul 10, 2008 | 8:28 PM

Mark,

Lets see if I got this right, we all get to foot the bill for this project, but, we also get to enjoy it, and the tourist spend their money. Hmmmmm. No, I think I’ll pass, only because we will be paying for this project for the rest of our lives like we always do, and I don’t think I’ll be getting any of the tourists money either, so for me I would rather keep the money in my own pocket, unless, the tourists money is going to help pay our mortgages and oil bills then I’m all for it, if not, for get about it.

And after we have the glorious Honor bestowed upon us to pay for this Aquarium for the rest of our lives do we all get life time free passes? You know like all the life time free passes they gave us to use at the toll booths on the Mass pike when that was done, and the Mystic River Bridge, The Callahan and Sumner tunnel. LOL Now where did I put those passes….Hmmmmm

shanniesdad
Jul 10, 2008 | 9:42 PM

I'd love a bigger and better aquarium; show me the money! In this economy Mark, where is the money gonna come from? There is a nice one in Montreal that has 3 in one but you won't see it around here until the ecomomy improves.

TheEliteOne

Jul 11, 2008 | 2:26 AM

Anyone who actually goes into Boston knows tourism is essential to our city. The HBO special on Adams has already drawn many to Quincy. It is estimated that this special will bring 14 million dollars into Quincy from the tourist.

People from all over the world come to Boston.
Many head to Mystic Ct. to see a real aquarium.
People from Ireland and The UK head here over Christmans in the thousands. Head up to Wrentham and you will see them.
Macy's offer a 15 percent discount for anyone with a passport from out of the country.
Adding a new aquarium will be another reason for tourist to come to Boston. The dollars taxed on their purchases are less we have to worry about.

Chopp143

Jul 11, 2008 | 8:44 AM

The Aquarium is not the reason that tourist come to Boston, and building a new one isn't going to signifigantly increase tourism. If the people running the Aquarium feel the need to relocate to the South Boston Waterfront then let them put together a capital budget and raise the money to accomplish the move. From what I read in the papers, the Aquarium likes their current location.

TheEliteOne

Jul 11, 2008 | 10:43 AM

The defintion of a tourist is more than just one who flies to Boston. Anyone who plans a day trip to Boston can be considered one.
Many schools have opted to leave the aquarium off their to do list.

In marketing, one does not try to capture the whole market. If a new aquarium can increase tourism by 3 percent, it will be a success.

To get better information on how many people ask about the aquarium, go on Trip Advisor.
The seaport area is perfect for the new location. The new Contemporary Arts Museum next to Pier 4 has boomed with business since moving there. This area is thriving and the hotels are always booked.
The parking is tough at the present location.
The proposed location has ample parking and for a reasonable price.

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Mark_Ockerbloom

I anchor the Fox 25 News at 5, 10 & 11pm and want to hear from you. Feel free to drop me a line anytime.

Member Since: 10/17/2006

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