On Monday night, the Historic District Commission heard updates for a plan to erect a life-size sculpture of Boston Marathon pioneer Bobbi Gibb at 2 Hayden Rowe Street.
Representatives of the project showed the commission its latest redesign, which now includes a “crescent area” where people can sit and take pictures. A bronze plaque detailing the history of Gibbs’ historic run would be installed as well.
Part of the updated design includes a stone wall topped with either slate or granite.
“It would pretty much be like the stone wall behind Center School,” project representative Scott Richardson explained.
The plinth that Gibbs’ statue will sit on also has undergone a redesign. When it first was presented to the commission in 2019, the design featured the statue on a 12-inch-high slab of granite with a max width and length of 5 feet.
In the new plan, the bronze figure would sit on a plinth measuring 30 inches by 30 inches.
Gibbs’ statue represents an important part of Boston Marathon history. She was the first woman to run the entire race in 1966. She also is recognized as a three-time winner of the Pioneer Women’s Division.
The statue is awaiting its permanent installation. It was designed by Gibb — who is a lifelong artist — and unveiled at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts in 2021.
Commission chair Stacy Spies commended the updated proposal, citing the need for “places to linger” in the center of town.
“It’s all part of making a good, vibrant downtown,” said Spies.
Members presented questions about potential issues with the town’s new bike lanes and materials being used for the project.
Representatives informed the commission that the project’s feasibility likely would not be impacted by the bike lanes. However, they and the property owner, Tom Carey, still plan to get the necessary easements for the project.
The commission requested more details on materials for closer review at a future meeting. It also recommended a notice to abutters and a public hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
Commission shows support for library railings
At-large member Amy Ritterbusch discussed adding railings to the ramps outside the Main Street entrance of the Hopkinton Public Library.
Ritterbusch shared concerns from the Hopkinton Commission on Disability that a lack of railings at that entrance constituted both a hazard and an equity issue.
She further explained that efforts were underway to secure Community Preservation Committee (CPC) funds for both the railings and an automatic door.
“The grant has to have the scope of work and costs, so we would need approval from the commission before we could submit the application,” said Ritterbusch.
Holly Morand of Hopkinton Youth & Family Services — and, like Ritterbusch, a member of the Commission on Disability — was in attendance to lend her voice to the issue as well.
“If we’re talking about equity and safety, we’ve got to ensure that in our public spaces,” said Morand.
The issue of railings at the library has been ongoing since its renovation. Records compiled by Ritterbusch show resistance by former commission members to earlier railing designs.
The idea eventually was abandoned after the commission decided it was “not going to commit a railing to be put on [the] building,” according to one member.
Members agreed a railing was necessary for the HPL ramp. They voted unanimously to support pursuing CPC funds for the railing and an automatic door. Spies stipulated that the plan would still be subject to review by the commission at a later date.
Bobbi Gibb project presenter was Scott Richardson if you want to update