Menino to Boston Properties: Compromise on TD tower height
Thomas Grillo
Real Estate Editor
Boston Business Journal
Mayor Thomas M. Menino urged Boston Properties to lower the height of its proposed 45-story residential tower in North Station on Thursday, insisting the developer consider neighborhood concerns about setting a precedent with a skyscraper at the TD Garden.
“There has to be a compromise someplace in this development,” Menino said. “I have faith in Boston Properties to work with the community. They have been excellent in other developments in the city and they will work on this one. I believe there will be a compromise.”
Menino’s comments came following Wednesday night’s contentious meeting hosted by the Boston Redevelopment Authority and attended by representatives from Boston Properties and the Boston Garden Impact Advisory Group, a 13-member panel of residents and organizations appointed by City Hall to advise the administration on the 1.8-million-square-foot project development.
While the IAG representatives praised the project’s benefits, they pushed back on the height of the tallest building, urging that the tallest building be no higher than 400 feet, or about 30 stories. The current plan cals for a tower that would peak at 600 feet.
“We are thrilled with this project, but please understand that Boston is not Toronto,” said Kathleen Ryan. “The 600-foot tower will set a precedent for our neighborhood because all the other developments coming after this will say Boston Properties got that height.”
Jane Forrestall, another IAG member, said she was dismayed that Boston Properties is still pitching a 600-foot tower despite the concerns raised about the height.
“We think it should be brought down to 400 feet as it was originally planned,” she said.
Bryan Koop, Boston Properties’ regional manager, defended the height saying while he respected the opinions of those who oppose a taller building, he noted that others in the community believe “it should be taller.”
If approved, the project will include the residential tower as well as a 20-story hotel, a 375,000-square-foot retail podium and a 25-story office building.
James Zahka, an IAG member who serves in the West End Civic Association, challenged Koop on the firm’s application for a 121A agreement that could save the company millions in taxes if the city declares the development site a “blighted area.”
“You are looking to us, people in this room who pay taxes, to enhance the profitability of your project and to enhance the bank accounts of Jeremy Jacobs of Delaware North, who has a net worth of $2.8 billion, and Mort Zuckerman of Boston Properties, who has a net worth of $2.3 billion,” he said. “I haven’t heard any reasonable explanation as to why taxpayers need to provide this. We ask you to build it on your own dime, not ours.”
In response, Koop said that Zahka is misleading the public with such statements. He said the developers are asking for a tax agreement so that they can pass the savings along to retail tenants so they will have a predictable tax amount when they take a big risk to open stores on the development.
“To say that it is going int the pockets of billionaires is completely inaccurate,” Koop said. “I’m failing to see how you are subsidizing it.”
But Zahka said that if the project pays its full share of taxes, the city’s coffers will be fuller to pay police, fireman and teachers.
“It’s not fair to us as a community and as taxpayers,” he said.
Shirley Kressel, a Back Bay resident and frequent BRA critic, asked Michael Cantalupa, Boston Properties’ senior vice president of development, to reveal how much tax relief the company is seeking.
Cantalupa said the number was being negotiated and was not known.
When Kressel suggested that the number be made public well before the project seeks approval at a BRA board meeting in December, the BRA’s project manager John Fitzgerald attempted to conclude the meeting. Last week, Fitzgerald raised eyebrows when his email to IAG members about the Wednesday night meeting warned about inviting "outsiders” and “rabble rousers” to the session.
“Let her talk,” said IAG's Ryan.
When Menino was told of the exchange, he weighed in on Fitgerald's attempt to wrap up the meeting.
“John can’t do that,” Menino said. “My feeling on this is let the community be heard. Let the community vent their issues and we will take those issues into consideration and move forward.”
