Why Can't Planners See The Developer's Proforma?

Is it really too much to ask a developer to justify, in detail, why his building needs to dwarf everything else in the neighborhood?

1 minute read

January 25, 2003, 11:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen

While this issue keeps repeating itself, on the South Boston Waterfront, on Washington Street, and elsewhere, it is now at the heart of the dispute over the next big project for the city, the $400 million Columbus Center, which would straddle the Massachusetts Turnpike between Clarendon and Berkeley streets. "How many times have we seen this picture show? A developer comes forward with a very large project. Community opponents dig in, complaining the project is too big. The developer digs in, too, saying he needs every last square foot to get financing. Opponents to developer: Let's see the books. Developer to opponents: Drop dead... This week four of the 11 members of the mayor's committee charged with reviewing the project filed freedom of information requests to obtain the kind of financial information that the developer - and frankly no developer on any project - has been willing to give up."

Thanks to Laura Kranz

FULL STORY: A developing standoff

Saturday, January 25, 2003 in The Boston Globe

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