The Conservation Law Foundation, a local environmental group, isthreatening action on the ruling, charging that the project wouldcreate traffic nightmares in the burgeoning Seaport District anddoes not meet the spirit of Chapter 91, a regulation that mandatespublic access and other provisions for commercial waterfrontdevelopment. CLF senior attorney Stephanie Pollak notes that FanPier's own studies show that the project creates a windier,less-pleasant environment than one fully compliant with Chapter91.

Durand's report also raised concerns about traffic, particularlysince 62% of those coming to Fan Pier will use a transit line nowunder construction. Kyle Warwick of Spaulding & Slye Colliers,the real-estate services firm representing the Pritzkers,downplayed the problem, arguing that their estimates are in linewith the city's overall use of public transit. Fan Pier acceptedDurand's call for a "transportation summit" to convene within thenext 45 days to address issues about the Seaport District.

City and state approvals could be in hand by the end of theyear, allowing construction to begin next July, according toWarwick. The first phase would feature an office building slated toopen in early 2003, followed by two hotels and a residentialcomponent.