Saving an icon and ourselves Cameron Sperance
As city leaders and architects across New England consider ways to reinvigorate the three-decker, others are weighing in on why they fell out of favor and how to improve them even without a costly renovation.
From South Boston to Fall River and even on the silver screen in Boston-based films like “Spotlight,” “Good Will Hunting,” and “The Departed,” the three-decker remains an iconic housing stock. Think of it as the original form of affordable housing: Relatives would often live in each of the three residences that comprise the relatively inexpensive-to-develop building, or they might even rent one out for income. “Living in or near a New England triple-decker,” the New York Times wrote, “was like despising the Yankees or skipping work on St. Patrick’s Day.”
Cameron Sperance Boston.com correspondent April 20, 2021 3:56 pm
As city leaders and architects across New England consider ways to reinvigorate the three-decker, others are weighing in on why they fell out of favor and how to improve them even without a costly renovation.
From South Boston to Fall River, and even on the silver screen in Boston-based films like “Spotlight,’’ “Good Will Hunting,’’ and “The Departed,’’ the three-decker remains an iconic housing stock. Think of it as the original form of affordable housing: Relatives would often live in each of the three residences that comprise the relatively inexpensive-to-develop building, or they might even rent one out for income. “Living in or near a New England triple decker,’’ the New York Times wrote, “was like despising the Yankees or skipping work on St. Patrick’s Day.’’
WORCESTER Despite frigid temperatures, a small group gathered Sunday around a large, black granite monument on the corner of Main and Agawam streets to honor and remember those who tragically lost their lives to the devastating, nondiscriminatory and destructive wrath of fire.
William T. Breault, chairman of the Main South Alliance of Public Safety, led the solemn ceremony that has been held every March 7 since the monument was dedicated in 1992 to recognize the fatal fire two years earlier at 21 Florence St., in which four people perished.
Each year on March 7, names of those who died the previous year are added to the cold slab of stone, forever etched as a constant reminder of the devastating, non-discriminatory wrath of fire.
Fallen Worcester Fire Lt. Jason Menard posthumously given medal of honor during Massachusetts Firefighter of the Year awards
Updated Mar 08, 2021;
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The face also represents the ultimate sacrifice firefighters make to keep others safe.
Fallen Worcester Fire Lt. Jason Menard was posthumously given the medal of honor during Massachusetts Firefighter of the Year awards Monday. The awards, usually done in a live ceremony, were virtual for the 31st annual event.
“To his family and members of the Worcester Fire Department, all we can say is you’ve suffered a loss that no one can understand,” Gov. Charlie Baker said. “Lt. Menard left behind children, a wife, and his sisters and brothers in the fire department when he gave his life to save a fellow firefighter before becoming trapped himself. To Tina and your family, we can never say ‘thank you’ enough for all that you’ve sacrificed.”