"They've never asked for this degree of information outside of the scoping," says David Begelfer, CEO of Boston's National Association of Industrial and Office Properties. The developers "went through the city and state reviews and 120 public meetings. This is outrageous."
The MEPA process for the Columbus Center project began under the state's previous administration. Begelfer speculates that it could be because it is a new administration that there is a requirement for additional information, but he warns that this case could have consequences for other developers in the city. "This sets a precedent for developers coming up," he notes. "MEPA is setting new grounds and this could have dangerous implications." Calls to the state's environmental agency were not returned by press time.
The Columbus Center project, a hotel and residential development, is one of the first projects to be built above the Massachusetts Turnpike Extension. It involves two buildings of 29 and 33 stories between Berkeley and Clarendon Streets. The developers, Roger Cassin and Arthur Winn, were required to lease air rights from the state for the project's development.
The developers are currently considering whether or not to appeal the decision, but Begelfer emphasizes that NAIOP will back them if they do.
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