Boston searching for design and construction firm for City Hall Plaza revamp

Boston is officially looking for a single firm to design and carry out a major renovation of City Hall and its surrounding plaza.

The five-year plan, which could cost more than $80 million, includes more trees throughout what’s now largely a civic tundra and a potentially 5,000-square-foot restaurant on City Hall’s third floor.

An entrance across from Hanover Street would also be reopened and the main staircase in the third-floor lobby would be removed.

Most of the spending, though, would go toward shoring up the plaza itself, according to Mayor Marty Walsh. Like an old house, the approximately 50-year-old expanse needs better waterproofing as well as surface improvements.

• Marty Walsh checks off promise to spruce up City Hall [Herald]