palindrome
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Re: Fenway Center (One Kenmore, Mass Turnpike PARCEL 7)
/facepalm
Appeal sought in Fenway Center OK
Activist says project unhealthy
By Thomas Grillo | Friday, December 25, 2009 | http://www.bostonherald.com | Business & Markets
Photo
A neighborhood activist has challenged the state?s environmental approval of a $500 million mixed-use development over the Massachusetts Turnpike in Kenmore Square.
Ned Flaherty, a South End resident, has informed Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles that he intends to appeal the agency?s decision that the proposed Fenway Center complies with state environmental laws.
?The proposal to build workplaces and homes at a toxic air site (over the Turnpike) threatens workers and residents with higher rates of birth defects, cancer? and earlier deaths, Flaherty said.
At stake is construction of the city?s first Turnpike air rights project since Copley Place was built in the 1980s. Meredith Management Corp. is seeking permits to break ground next year for an initial construction phase that will include 200 apartments in a pair of seven-story buildings at Brookline Avenue and Beacon Street, a 700-space garage over the Turnpike and a new Yawkey Station. Later phases are expected to include 370,000 square feet of office space and 90,000 square feet of retail space.
John Rosenthal, Meredith?s president, said the appeal is without merit. ?There is no basis whatsoever to these claims,? he said. ?Our documents show that Fenway Center not only complies with the state and federal air standards for air quality, it exceeds them. Ned is acting alone and misrepresenting facts and unnecessarily inflaming fears that are unfounded.?
Rosenthal said Flaherty?s appeal could be in response to the fact that the activist was rejected for a position at the Newton-based development company. ?Ned sent me a letter suggesting he could help me through the permitting process and when we spoke he asked for a job,? Rosenthal recalled. ?I said no.?
While Flaherty acknowledges the exchange, the Clarendon Street resident said his comments about toxic air over the Turnpike air rights projects, including Columbus Center, have been the same for many years.
?An informed person could not conclude that my raising pollution issues about Fenway Center is because I?m angry,? he said. ?I raised it long ago.?
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1221068
/facepalm