Mayor to veto landmark status for Citgo sign, but says long-term deal will preserve it

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said the city has reached a deal that will preserve the iconic Citgo sign in Kenmore Square, but will veto designating it a landmark. "We are pleased to share that we have reached a long-term resolution that will preserve the Citgo sign and allow for it to remain in place in Kenmore Square for years to come," Walsh, Citgo, Related Beal and Boston University said in a joint statement. On Nov. 14, the Boston Landmark Commission approved giving the sign official landmark status. The city had 45 days to veto the commission's decision. The deal recognizes "the significance that this sign has on our landscape in Boston, while balancing the opportunity for our horizons to continue evolving in future years," according to the statement.The designation would have protected the 60 by 60-foot sign that has stood in Kenmore Square since 1965 from any future development that would move the sign or block its view. The building at 660 Beacon St. on which the sign is mounted is not designated as a landmark.Developers were concerned what the status could mean for development in the area.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said the city has reached a deal that will preserve the iconic Citgo sign in Kenmore Square, but will veto designating it a landmark.



"We are pleased to share that we have reached a long-term resolution that will preserve the Citgo sign and allow for it to remain in place in Kenmore Square for years to come," Walsh, Citgo, Related Beal and Boston University said in a joint statement.


On Nov. 14, the Boston Landmark Commission approved giving the sign official landmark status. The city had 45 days to veto the commission's decision.

The deal recognizes "the significance that this sign has on our landscape in Boston, while balancing the opportunity for our horizons to continue evolving in future years," according to the statement.



The designation would have protected the 60 by 60-foot sign that has stood in Kenmore Square since 1965 from any future development that would move the sign or block its view.



The building at 660 Beacon St. on which the sign is mounted is not designated as a landmark.



Developers were concerned what the status could mean for development in the area.