Georgeanne Tacelli, spokesperson for Massport, tells GlobeSt.com that while Joseph Fallon's hotel project is "in close proximity" to the Fish Pier, the fact that the firms there were in danger "is not true. Massport is very committed to its Maritime tenants," she says. She points out that the Conservation Law Foundation, which became active in the Fish Pier businesses efforts to renegotiate their leases, is involved in granting Chapter 91 licenses, which all projects developed on the waterfront are required to get. Fallon's $240 million, 836,950-sf project, which recently received city approval, involves a 440-room hotel, restaurant, retail uses as well as 460 residential units. The project is being developed on three parcels of land here owned by Massport under a long-term lease.

Calls to the Conservation Law Foundation were not returned by press time and it is unclear if the organization would have attempted to hold up the city-approved project's license if Massport didn't offer favorable terms to the fish pier tenants.

Tacelli notes that Massport is starting negotiations now with the 19 tenants on the pier. In a released statement from Massport, the agency points out that while the average lease cost for processing space on the Fish Pier is approximately eight dollars per sf, the new Harbor Seafood Center nearby charges an average rent of $15.45 per sf. "The leases demonstrate Massport's commitment to retaining the seafood industry on the Fish Pier" the agency says.

Massport CEO and executive director Craig P. Coy emphasizes that "Massport remains focused on maintaining a strong maritime presence on Boston's waterfront." Massport will also continue to subsidize operations on the Pier by providing free berthing for active fishing vessels, free space for auction facility, free security, overall maintenance of the Pier and parking for processors and boat owners at rates which the agency says are "far below market."

Since 1973, Massport has invested over $16 million in fish processing and vessel related capital improvements on the Fish Pier.