Downtown Crossing plaza with seating and bike lane will also test traffic patterns

Millennium Partners—the folks behind spires such as Millennium Place and Millennium Tower in Downtown Crossing—are working with the Boston Transportation Department and the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District on what’s been described as a “tactical plaza” along Franklin Street near Millennium Tower and its steps.

Traffic barriers from Arch Street to the plaza outside of the tower have reduced vehicle access to one lane as of the first week of August. The lush space, which has been dubbed the Tontine Crescent, will include a bike lane, public art, and outdoor seating.

But it’s not all just fun and aesthetics. Per the Boston Business Journal’s Catherine Carlock, city officials also plan to study traffic patterns arising from the barriers. If things flow smoothly enough, the plaza could become permanent.

• Millennium Partners testing public plaza in Boston’s Downtown Crossing [Biz Journal]
• People watching in Boston: The 10 best spots, mapped [Curbed Boston]