Construction begins on Hynes Convention Center 19,970 s/f restaurant space

According to the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA), legislation passed by both the House and Senate and signed by Governor Deval Patrick, will allow work to commence on the construction of 19,970 s/f of new restaurant space as part of the $18 million renovation plan for the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center. The renovations also include needed technological, environmental, and safety upgrades to the facility. "For the last two decades, the Hynes has proven itself to be a valuable asset to Boston, breathing life into the economy of the Back Bay and the city overall, and these improvements will make the facility an even stronger economic engine for the neighborhood and the region," said James Rooney, executive director of the MCCA. The newly signed law allows contractor F. L. Caulfield to begin work that will amount to a $4.7 million contract. These improvements will take approximately six months to complete and include "core and shell" work including demolishing the existing administration space on the east side that faces the Prudential Plaza, as well as rooms on the corner of Boylston and Dalton Sts. Crews will install new plumbing, electric, mechanical, heating and air conditioning systems, in order to support the restaurant operations. Caulfield will also repair the sidewalk along Boylston St., upgrade two elevators, and give the Hynes a new, energy efficient front entrance. The restaurant space on the east side of the Prudential Plaza will be 10,459 s/f total, and the space on the corner of Boylston and Dalton Sts. will be 9,511 s/f total, equaling 19,970 s/f of new space. Construction will not interrupt or negatively impact convention bookings or business.