Fenway Center Developer Seeks Association Support

The Fenway Center Developer asked for the Audubon Circle Neighborhood Association's support to get the massive project started.

The Audubon Circle Neighborhood Association held its monthly board of directors meeting on June 19 at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates on Brookline Avenue. Center developer Meredith Properties asked the association to file a legal brief in support of the project, Among the items up for discussion was a request the board file a court brief.

According to board member Richard Ong, the developer, Meredith Properties, reached out to him and inquired about the possibility the association drafting a “friend of the court” brief asking the judge to expedite a lawsuit holding up construction on the Fenway Center project—a massive transit and sustainable energy-oriented development placing 500 residences, offices and neighborhood-oriented retail space directly adjacent to a new Yawkey Commuter Rail Station,” according to the developer’s website. 

Ong brought the issue before the board to discuss drafting such a document. The issue was held over until the July meeting after members voiced concerns asking whether the association would be open to potential litigation from following such a course. At least one member stated he was not willing to run that risk—even with an indemnification from local developer John Rosenthal.

The board will revisit the issue next month to decide not only whether to support the developer, but what to ask for in return should they opt to do so.

The lawsuit, filed by the group HRPT Medical Buildings Realty Trust, threatens to further stall the massive project, which would be a potential breakthrough in redeveloping the air rights over the Massachusetts Turnpike. The suit originated originated over a dispute about free parking spaces, according to the Boston Globe. 

Boston University Master Plan 

The association also discussed Boston University's institutional master plan and efforts to keep the school from building more dorms in the neighborhood, or using existing ones in that capacity. According to the board, they have been working with State Rep. Byron Rushing on this issue and all appear to be in favor of Rushing’s suggestion that BU drop all properties south of the Audubon Circle neighborhood border from its plan.

The board is set to vote on a course of action regarding this matter at the July meeting. 

Miner Street

The board also received an update regarding a new development proposal at 25 Miner St., which would replace an already-approved 60-unit condo building with an assisted-living facility featuring 90 units.

The site is currently approved for the condominiums and 24 underground parking spaces.

According to the association, the developer has all the requisite funding lined up to construct the facility, and the structure’s footprint would be nearly identical to that of the previously approved project, with the facade and inner dimensions remaining unchanged. The only changes would be the increase in units and a decrease in parking, from 24 to four spaces.

The developers are scheduled to appear before the ACNA at the July meeting to further discuss their plans.