City takes steps on Walk of Fame

By Donna Goodison

Friday, October 14, 2005 - Updated: 12:35 PM EST

Famous Bostonians could be memorialized in a new Walk of Fame as soon as next year. <br>

The Boston Redevelopment Authority is searching for a person or company to oversee the planning and development of the walk in the Hub's Theater District.

``It's part of a larger improvement (plan) to bring color and life and vitality to the district,'' said BRA executive director Harry Collings. ``The thought is, somewhere along the Walk of Fame, there

will be a storefront where you could buy memorabilia and buy products (related to) people listed on the walk.''

The project overseer's tasks will include raising funds for the walk and working with the Boston Art Commission on a process to nominate and select who'll get the coveted stars. There's been no decision on what fields the committee will draw from, but celebrated stars of the theater, music, literature, sports

and even medicine may be considered.

The BRA already has a lengthy list of possible candidates, according to Collings. They range from ``The Tonight Show'' host Jay Leno to former New Kids on the Block singer Joey McIntyre to Robert Parker, author of the Spenser private eye novels. Also up in the air is what Boston-oriented icon will be used to display the names, as stars are not the first choice, according to Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino.

Other Theater District improvements planned under a separate $1.2 million public/private partnership are new lighting, trees, crosswalk upgrades , public art and banners heralding, ``Boston's Historic Theatre District - more than great theater.'' Also proposed for development: A three-story building with a Times Square-style electronic billboard on its facade.