Maverick makeover

The remake of the housing project on the East Boston waterfront was completed yesterday with the dedication of a small park, the last bit of a sweeping renovation of the four-block area now known as Maverick Landing. Now instead of the jail-like brick monstrosity built in the 1940s (above left) there are colorful, modern buildings (above right), and several streets that had been elimnated have been restored.

When I was growing up, the "Maverick projects" had a reputation in Eastie as a dangerous place. The kids that I knew who lived there were tough guys -- and girls. It's a shame that for 50 years we felt that it was OK to house people in such bleak conditions, but it's good that we eventually felt that something had to be done.

The location -- steps from the Maverick T station with an incredible view of Boston Harbor and the city's skyline -- is quite desirable. The new units, some of them condos rented at market value, were constructed with environmental princples in mind. The Globe story notes that they are all currently occupied.