BOSTON — The Boston Landmarks Commission met on Tuesday to decide whether to make the iconic Citgo sign an official landmark.
The Citgo sign become a nationally recognized symbol of the city and a fond emblem of the Red Sox and Boston Marathon.
If approved, the move would protect the sign from future development that would force it to be taken down or block its view.
However, residents who have watched Kenmore Square evolve worry this could give the major Venezuelan oil company free advertisement in our city for the rest of history and keep Kenmore Square "frozen in history."
"Another country owns this sign and they’re in trouble, if they’re landmarked and they know they have free advertising in the landscape in Kenmore Square then what is the incentive for them to pull out money they don’t have to support this sign?" said Terri North, a Back Bay resident.
Other residents pointed out that the specific wording in the proposal could potentially prohibit new buildings from going up that would potentially block the view of the sign.
The debate about the sign started back in 2016 when Boston University announced it would sell the building it stands upon.
As plans move forward to redevelop this site the current landlord says Citgo has reached an agreement to continue its lease for the next 30 years.
The executive director of the Boston Preservation Alliance, who spoke out in support of making the Citgo sign a landmark, tells Boston 25 News a recent petition got 16,000 signatures in favor of the measure.
The Landmarks Commission expected to make a vote later this fall, and it would then have to be approved by the mayor’s office.
"It’s silly, it’s a sign but it means a lot to Bostonians," said Erica Tarlin, a Somerville resident.
The city says the meeting is to hear public opinion and a final decision won't be made yet.
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