Dana Forsythe 23.OCT.08
The abandoned gas station, as it?s derisively called by Roslindale residents, is finally up for a project review next week. At that time, the Mayor?s Office of Neighborhood Services will hold a meeting to discuss a proposal to develop the site.
Giannarikas Konstantino, the former owner has sat on the property for years, according to residents, and let the property fall into repair, so it?s no surprise that many Roslindale residents are excited about it being developed.
"It?s been closed for as long as I can remember," City Councilor Rob Consalvo?s aide Lee Blasi said. "And I?ve been here for six years."
"We want to see the gas station parcel developed in a manner consistent and beneficial to the Roslindale business district and neighborhood as a whole," Neighborhood Services representative Dave McNulty said. " This parcel has been an eyesore for too long and a project that compliments Roslindale?s commercial district is a top priority for the residents, neighborhood, civic organizations and the Mayor?s Office."
The current proposal is the first significant idea forwarded to the city in several years. According to McNulty, the project is a three-floor office and retail building that will go through the BRA?s Article 80 process.
According to the Suffolk County Registry of deeds and Inspectional Services records, the property has changed hands several times while lying unused over these many years. Most in the neighborhood view the property as a bane on Roslindale square.
There are stories of Konstantino living on the property, out of a van in the back of the abandoned store.
Mike Flynn, who works at the nearby F. J. Higgins Funeral Home, called the place "a complete dump."
"It was a chop shop years ago," he said. "I do know that the owner was living in a van out back. They finally towed it but there was some issue even with that." After feeling frustrated about the lack of maintenance, Flynn wrote a letter urging the site be cleaned up.
"They finally got it done, and now we?re back to square one," he said. "Lets just hope it gets developed."
Flynn is right to be cautious since several projects over the years have been proposed, and each one met its death soon after.
In 1997, a take out restaurant with a drive thru window was proposed and soon after, shot down.
As for upcoming plans, Flynn said he?ll be happy with anything, but he said he hopes the developers will allow access to the rear for added parking spaces.
"To close off the front of the building just doesn?t make sense," he said. "All they?d need would be a single curb cut."
Several officials have pointed to Konstantino as the reason the parcel was never fixed up.
"Every time, problems would come up, or the city would go after the property, he?d put the deed in a different name," a source said. "But the new owner is coming forward with this proposal now."
McNulty said the developer has been looking to relocate the nearby Social Security office to the three-story structure, freeing up street office space for prospective tenants.
"I think people are very anxious to see something there," Blasi said. "It?s been an eye sore for so long."
Lisa Modecker, president of the Roslindale Board of Trade, said she?s very excited to see plans for the development.
"Any movement on that property is good news," she said. "We?ve had so many possibilities for that space, but they?ve all been swept under the carpet."
Modecker believes the rumors of Konstantino living on the property for a while.
"There was definitely someone living there," she said. "You could see the lights come on at night time."
Modecker said she supports any development, but with a caveat:
"Parking is already congested. And I just think something smaller would be best. I think we need something in here to compliment what we already have. Something maybe more retail. Maybe a toy store. But it?s also got to be practical," she said.
"I?m hopeful that we?ll finally get something there that?s helpful for the business community."
- The Bulletin Newspapers
