January 14, 2021 January 5th was Paul McDonough Day in Boston!
Mayor Martin J. Walsh declared January 5th “Paul McDonough Day” in Boston, and Boston Planning and Development Director, Brian Golden presented McDonough with a mayoral proclamation to honor Paul’s many years of service on the Boston Civic Design Commission (BCDC).
After more than 30 years serving on the all-volunteer BCDC, McDonough, who is also a long-time member of Historic Boston’s Board of Directors, stepped down as a BCDC Commissioner and was elevated by Mayor Walsh to the position of Commissioner Emeritus where he will still be called upon for perspective on development projects throughout Boston.
“Paul has served under three mayoral administrations, 10 Boston Redevelopment Authority Directors, three Boston Civic Design Commission Executive Directors, and has reviewed scores of projects throughout the City of Boston,” according to the Mayor’s proclamation. “The City of Boston is grateful to Paul for his service as Co-Chair and Vice-Chair of the Boston Civic Design Commission and for his tireless work and dedication on behalf of Boston’s public realm; Paul F. McDonough, Esquire will be raised to the position of Commissioner Emeritus to continue offering his institutional knowledge and expertise; Now I, Martin J. Walsh, Mayor of the City of Boston, do hereby proclaim January 5, 2021, to be Paul F. McDonough Day in the City of Boston.”
When he presented the Proclamation, BPDA Director Brian Golden credited McDonough with helping to steer the look and feel of the modern City. According to Golden, “This is about creating a City that people feel love for and take incredible pride in so it’s not just about material construction in the physical world, but about building a City people love and connect with. This truly is one of the great cities of the world and I thank Paul McDonough for his many years of helping to make it this way. For all those that have benefitted — and we will benefit for generations to come from his work — thank you Paul McDonough.”
The BCDC provides a forum for the general public and professional design community to participate in the shaping of the city’s physical form and natural environment. Members of the Commission are seasoned design professionals with a deep understanding of local context. They are charged with critiquing the aesthetics of proposed development projects and ensuring that the projects have a positive impact on the city’s public realm.
“It’s been an honor and privilege to serve our city,” said McDonough, who is an attorney at the law firm of Goulston & Storrs. “It’s been a great learning experience for me and I hope I made some small contribution to the shape of our city.”
HBI’s Executive Director, Kathy Kottaridis, who replaces McDonough on the BCDC said “Paul’s talents and his commitment to good design and historic architecture have helped to protect the best of Boston while helping to guide the city’s extraordinary growth.”
Congratulations Paul!