In her approval of the report, the state's environmental secretary, Ellen Roy Herzfelder, notes that several issues still need to be addressed by the Chicago-based developer in the final environmental impact report. Those issues include formulating a detailed response to comment's raised on the project's height with regard to FAA requirements, wind, air quality and shadow impacts. Herzfelder also points out that the high-density, mixed-use project, with its close proximity to South Station, advances what she calls the "smart growth goals" of this administration.
Russia Wharf currently consists of the Russia, Graphic Arts Building and Tufts buildings. All were built in 1897 and are listed in both the state and national Registers of Historic Places. The project site is a component of the Fort Point Site Municipal Harbor Plan, the first phase of which has been completed. The project will be situated next to the Central Artery, the 30-acre swath of land that will be exposed once the Big Dig, the massive highway construction project, drops the highway underground.
The project involves the construction of over 30 stories, or 425 feet, of office, retail, residential and hotel space along Russia Wharf. The Russia Building will be redeveloped into 50 retail units and retail space. The other two buildings will be rehabilitated to include a 300-suite hotel, retail/restaurant/artist space and a jazz club. A new 22-story 500,000-sf tower will be built above the existing seven-story buildings. Three additional levels will be built between these buildings and the office tower to accommodate the hotel. The proposal also calls for up to six levels of underground parking for 512 cars.
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