As with the waterfront and the megaplex and now the casino, thousands of jobs and millions in tax revenues are involved.
Something similar may be afoot with the much-ballyhooed but little-understood plans to reform Boston's nightmare of a school-assignment plan. There may be a whole lot of promise, but there is an even bigger set of unanswered questions — just as there was with the waterfront and the megaplex.
In terms of the schools, the key question is being asked by City Councilor John Connolly, thought by many to be a possible Menino challenger if the mayor opts to seek a sixth term. Connolly wonders how much longer the school system can pinball around without a comprehensive capital plan that matches new school construction with changing city needs. Without one, will a new reassignment plan be a glorified shell game?
That Boston is in better shape than most cities of its size and age owes much to Menino. The question is, has it maximized its opportunities? Or, more importantly, how does it define its future — not in words, but in deeds?
Related:
Photos: Shiny Toy Guns at Faneuil Hall, Hot spots in an instant, Menino's promise, More 
- Photos: Shiny Toy Guns at Faneuil Hall
Photos of Shiny Toy Guns at Faneuil Hall on July 9
- Hot spots in an instant
Cologne on, dress pants clean, and IDs ready — your Friday night is in full swing. But before you take a step behind the bouncer-guarded pearly gates, check your cell phone. It may just save you the cover charge.
- Menino's promise
Boston's political tribes checked their traditional hostilities at the door this week when they trooped into Faneuil Hall for the inauguration of Mayor Thomas Menino, who took the oath to serve an unprecedented fifth term.
- Anthem Kitchen + Bar
The original Anthem (RIP, 2007) was half bistro, half sports bar, all competent in a way that made it the best oversize restaurant ever between the Department of Mental Health and the variously named Boston Garden.
- Chavez dies; will poor be cold?
Last week, a man whose determination to embarrass the American government extended to helping US citizens when their own government wouldn't died, reportedly suffering a heart attack.
- Dropping the ball
At last, the golden moment has arrived.
- Green school. Red light?
Little girls and boys frolic on swing sets whittled from recycled beech wood.
- Chaos Theory
In less than two weeks, when Massachusetts voters elect Martha Coakley to the US Senate — let's not pretend that Republican state senator Scott Brown has any chance of pulling off the monumental upset — they will trigger a massive domino effect that has the state's political class buzzing with anticipation.
- Persian miniatures
You can see what is probably the most significant filmmaking right now in Iran by going to YouTube and viewing the artless images of brutality in the streets of Tehran captured by scores of average Iranian citizens armed with cell-phone cameras.
- Play by play: January 8, 2010
Boston's theater schedule: January 8, 2010
- Up in Smoke in New Hampshire
President Barack Obama has championed a platform that pledges commitment to a green economy. But this probably isn't what he had in mind.
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