The Director of City Planning for the City of Boston wrestles with the ethical dilemma of approving a vanity project from a famous architect which when built, will prove to be poorly suited to meeting the mental health needs of the community which it was created to serve.

SYNOPSIS:

This story follows Richard, the chief planner for the Boston Redevelopment Authority in

the 1960s, as he navigates the complex world of urban renewal for the city of Boston at

that time. Richard’s personal history of conflict avoidance, stemming from childhood bullying, shapes his professional approach as he faces challenges from competitive architects, his demanding boss Bob and very different concepts for building a mental health center in downtown Boston. In particular, Richard is faced with tempering the vision of a world famous architect Paul who has entered the design competition and arrives at the planning meeting with a cadre of associates and oversize blueprints. Richard has learned to go along to get along and although he himself has reservations agrees to award the design contract to Paul who has the tacit approval of Bob. The narrative explores the tension between bold architectural visions and the realistic needs of the city’s population, highlighting the

contradictions inherent in urban planning during a period of rapid change.

When the mental health center opens five years later, the story shifts to the struggles of its staff and patients within a brutalist, impersonal hospital structure that clashes with principles of compassionate patient care. Key events include the tragic death of a patient, Xavier, after a confrontation with another resident, Yolanda, and the subsequent fallout among staff and leadership working there. The screenplay ultimately reflects on the broader issues of mental health treatment in the 20th century, questioning whether society’s priorities lie in protecting the public from the mentally ill or in fostering their rehabilitation. The closing scenes focus on the ongoing debates about civic architecture and the importance of designing spaces that truly serve the community. Richard learns that his greater responsibility is to the public interest and ultimately, this means confronting powerful players who are more in it for themselves.