‘A vast waste of space’: Tom Keane tackles the frustrating, never-goes-away issue of: What do we do about City Hall Plaza? Tom’s idea has something to do with a bulldozer. But that’s not going to happen. So I have a radical idea: Housing. Specifically, townhouses surrounding city hall. Now THAT would bring life back to the area. Know there are subway tunnels underneath that restrict what can be built there, but look at the townhouses/apartment complex they’re building at the foot of the Saltonstall building along Cambridge Street. Very simple. Very exciting. Tight space. And retail stores at ground level. Creative use of government-owned land. Just an idea. ... Postscript: I’m one of the few people who actually likes the funky City Hall building, though I acknowledge it needs, well, some humanizing touches, such as to its no-open windows and dreary interior. Let a developer take over the building for housing, creating some truly exciting, funky apartment/condos inside. But that’s not quite the point (nor is it very realistic): It’s the plaza surrounding the building that truly sucks. ...

... If you haven’t already, check out Dan Kennedy’s post yesterday on the latest proposals for the greenway after the Central Artery is torn down. Dan: “What's crucial is that the greenway have some buildings and some life, and that it attracts people down there 12 months a year, during the evening as well as the day. Those well-intentioned nature advocates seem to forget that this is Boston, not San Diego, and that the weather makes a park attractive only five or six months a year.” ... One point: I’m also rooting for a new museum along the greenway, specifically a Boston History Museum. But my sources -- and they’re pretty damn good -- say that Mayor Menino has quietly opposed the idea and wants local fundraising efforts aimed instead at the Museum of Fine Art’s major expansion plan. Maybe things have changed. Heard this info about a year ago.  ¶ 10:16 AM