By law in Massachusetts, no one can own coastal land. Waterfront must be accessible to the public. So those original structures @ 150 seaport weren't supposed to have been built the way they were; hence the harborwalk buffer you are seeing between all new structures and the water. (and hence the harborwalk that will be added around the new 150 seaport structure).
I think s/he's also referring to a chunk of sidewalk the city was going to sell them at an undervalued price before it was caught and more appropriately valuated.
This seems to be a topic worthy of its own thread, and though I've nothing to add but questions, I'd love to read along with an in depth discussion of CFL's history in Boston, specifically concerning development.
Thanks Stellar and LrFox for filling in the details.
My gripes are about perception and representation. I am arguing that these groups seem, to most, like elites battling other elites. They absolutely do tackle good/important/progressive issues (but I already knew they did that).
Here's what else I know:
When my wife and I visit the Seaport to take a stroll on sunny Saturdays (as we've done many times) there are lots of families and kids playing in the new park spaces in/around fan pier. Playing frisbee on the green. Enjoying the view. This is obviously a guess, but most do not seem to be rich people. They seem like everyday greater Boston people.
These people have no idea about any of this. They don't know the Cronins from the Fallons from the Skanskas. All they know is that they can play frisbee on the green. And that they can get a nice harbor view all around these developments.
And so this is a big part of why I take exception to some of the CLF's "acting on behalf of" work. Acting on behalf of whom?
To the general public, if they are even aware of any of this at all, it's all just a bunch of Rich Person A battling Rich Person B. Now let me get back to my Frisbee...
EDIT:
Also, please do not conflate my views with other aBrs' broadbrush rants against these groups (incl. in other threads). I am asking how they can operate with more community involvement, more diverse representation, so that their prioritization of initiatives is actually in-line with what the community wants/needs. I am not advocating they they disappear.
There is a tendency in this forum by some/many to look at CLF and Barr in a one-dimensional way, i.e., how these two organizations are, or may be, screwing with my favorite waterfront project.
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CLF has lost all creditability in my eyes trying to delay and possibly stop the Harbor Garage Development which is not OPEN space. The Garage is 6-story concrete block sitting for decades which adds no value to the Greenway-----but did nothing when the Seaport started to evolve with all those tax percs to corporations and unlimited amounts of open space. That's when I know this agency is tainted from the lack of logic.
CLF only started making noise about the Waterfront when Harbor Garage was proposed they just used the Whiskey Priest site to have some history on being somewhat consistent for the Boston's waterfront.
Amos Hostetter office just happens to located on near the Greenway. So why not divert my non-taxable billions to fight a development which I would have to deal with the everyday construction hassles in this location.
That's how I see it.
The Municipal Harbor Plan that CLF challenged is 42 acres. The Harbor Garage project occupies roughly 2 acres. To be clear, CLF didn't challenge the Harbor Garage project.
Let's not be naive here, CLF is absolutely only against the Harbor Garage project, and maybe Hook Lobster, not the other 40 acres of open space. And it is all just cover for a billionaires opposition to a development at Lewis Wharf which would block the water view from his office.
Following along that narrative, CLF must not have minded Atlantic Wharf because it didn't block that billionaire's view
The Municipal Harbor Plan that CLF challenged is 42 acres. The Harbor Garage project occupies roughly 2 acres. To be clear, CLF didn't challenge the Harbor Garage project.
Can you dial it down....
YES! Now you're getting it. The CLF seems to be haphazard in picking where it chooses to make a stand. Almost as if its following the whims of one person's personal choices.
Don't worry, I see your rants over at the Globe. I'm not sure how many people you convince with this approach. I make my share of complaints about NIMBYs too. But the both of you are unhinged right now about CLF. I certainly disagree with their take over at the Harbor Garage, but seriously, you two are apparently unable to see how ridiculous you sound in this conversation.
As for my specific complaint, I object to both the stupid font and the word parasite. But you do you, my man.