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The neon of Kenmore Square is close to being a protected fixture.
The Boston Landmark Commission voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve landmark status for the Citgo sign that sits atop 660 Beacon St. The historic designation would give it protections from surrounding development. Boston Mayor Martin Walsh and the Boston City Council both have to sign off on final approval, WBUR reports.
The city previously denied a landmark status request for the sign in 1983.
The sign’s fate was unclear in 2016 when Boston University sold nine buildings it owned in the neighborhood, including 660 Beacon, to Related Beal.
The developer and the Venezuelan government (Citgo’s owner) had a heated exchange over how much the company was paying in rent for the sign, but that was later resolved. Related has since filed plans with the city to redevelop its Kenmore portfolio, which included preserving the sign.
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