Re: Filene's
Mr Hynes feels bad for that fact that there is a giant hole. He wants you to know that he is deeply sorry, and if he could fill that hole and get his $100M+ back he would. He also wants you to know that he, by trade, is a developer of buildings, and not a ditch digger, and he doesn't much enjoy the profession of ditch digging, because it is hard work without much reward. Finally, he wants you to know, that even though people are being really stingy with lending money right now, that he plans to keep asking really nice, because if he doesn't build a building, people will write really negative things about him on the internet, and that hurts his feelings.
Editted to address TheRifleman.
If you support low risk development, then I suggest applauding single-tenant office buildings in Burlington. This is urban infill with a mixed-use component striving to bring upscale residences and retail to a site that half the people on this board thinks is a gang warfare zone. I'm interested in hearing your suggestions for risk mitigation though, as are Hynes and the Mayor.
As far as the money you claim they haven't spent. Who exactly paid for the building (which is now inhabittable), the demolition, the architects, the engineers, the lawyers, the building permits, the marketing?