BOSTON — A proposal to build a 42-story high-rise on the Boston Harbor Waterfront, right next to the New England Aquarium, is drawing conflicting opinions.
At a meeting to discuss the proposal, members of the aquarium and conservation groups, many who live in the area, voiced their opposition to the project saying it would ruin the view and the city’s skyline.
The meeting at the Boston Marriot Long Wharf’s ballroom was filled to capacity - and many had to be turned away.
Currently, the Boston Harbor Garage sits seven stories tall, but the plan is to replace it with the tallest building in the area. The Chiofaro company plans on replacing the current structure with a high-rise they will name “The Pinnacle at Central Wharf.” The proposal includes 200 residential units, office, retail and restaurant space.
“The number of people and services that would be on this tiny street where there are there are already a couple thousand people living in this buildings," said Shannon Kerner.
Residents say the shadow the 600 feet tall building would create would completely change the view of the harbor for everyone, not just those who live in the area.
“We have about a 270 degree view of the waterfront so we paid recently for that and the value we paid for that having that kind of facility is going to be shattered by this building," said Phil Cooper, a Broad Street resident.
Developers say they’re willing to work with their neighbors, but some things will likely stay in the plans, including the height.
“This is a rough draft of a project that is going to continue to evolve," said Rob Caridad, the Project Manager with the Chiofaro company. “We have a mandate to deliver a slender tower that fits on half the site to create this brand new open space.”
The Chiofaro company says the result would be a smoother traffic pattern, saying they’re also elevating the building by 4 feet to bring it higher above sea level to prevent flooding. However, Vikki Spruill, the New England Aquarium CEO says that’s not enough.
“We want the public to have a say in what they want for their waterfront, this is the last sort of remaining piece of our downtown waterfront and we need to get it right," said Spruill.
The developer is offering $10 million to the aquarium for their planned blueway along the harbor and money to offset any profits loss during construction. Spruill, however, says that, at this point, they don’t support the project so there is no deal.
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