A few weeks ago, the sidewalks on Washington and LaGrange surrounding the Kensington site were fenced. Now the area is filled with what looks like white gravel, instead of the usual brown dirt. An information request was sent to the Boston Redevelopment Authority if Kensington was finally going to be built. So far, no word from the BRA yet.

The site, also known as the Hinge Block in the 1990 Chinatown Master Plan, was intended to be used as a “land bridge” to connect Chinatown with the Midtown Cultural District. Kensington Investment Company had submitted a proposal to build a 26-story tower on the site and approvals were given by the BRA in 2003. However, there were a series of delays that has left the site undeveloped. Will Chinatown finally see something soon?

6-2-08 Update:
The BRA got back to me: “Kensington actually isn’t yet ready to begin construction (but they’re still planning on it).” The fencing may be related to work being done by the Department of Public Works.