> Massachusetts has a hard time getting stuff done, but it does seem to happen eventually (convention center, new garden, big dig).
Heh, I was going to respond "but Assembly Square is moving so fast". Then I read the Wikipedia and saw that it was declared blighted in 1979, and didn't actually see much improvement until 2005. Construction on the new mixed-use development has been moving rather well over the past two years though, after the IKEA legal tango was finally resolved.
It actually wasn't completely horrible before they knocked in down in preparation for IKEA. There was a crappy movie theater which was cheaper than other local options. There was Good Times Emporium which was like a cheaper/crappier version of Dave & Busters. A variety of other big box stores, a K-mart.
Yeah, I already much prefer Assembly Row but it was useful from a bargain hunting sense.
Heh, I was going to respond "but Assembly Square is moving so fast". Then I read the Wikipedia and saw that it was declared blighted in 1979, and didn't actually see much improvement until 2005. Construction on the new mixed-use development has been moving rather well over the past two years though, after the IKEA legal tango was finally resolved.