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Image courtesy of The Architectural Team
A proposed 134-room hotel in Boston’s North End is drawing objections from City Councilor Lydia Edwards, who says the 80,824-square-foot project would erase the neighborhood’s benefits from the removal of the elevated Central Artery.
Boston-based 6M Development submitted plans in February for the hotel on the 0.3-acre site of the former J. Pace & Son grocery store along with surface parking. The 80,824-square-foot hotel would include a pair of restaurants and a 300-capacity roof deck.
The project is currently under review by the Boston Planning & Development Agency, which is requesting additional information from the development team.
In a public comment letter, Edwards, whose district includes the North End, said construction of the five-story hotel would block off the neighborhood from the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway while isolating a neighboring residential building and Vincent Cutillo Park.
“We should not be subjecting residents to relive the construction and be closed in once more. Moreover, Vincent Cutillo Park, which sits directly behind the proposed project site, is surrounded on three sides by large residential buildings and remains in darkness for a large portion of the day,” Edwards wrote. “With the proposed height of the hotel, Cutillo Park could sit in complete darkness throughout the day.”
Edwards also characterized the neighborhood as a “saturated market” for hospitality with more than 100 cafes and restaurants nearby.
Edwards represents the area, along with Charlestown and East Boston.
The North End/Waterfront Residents Association objected to the potential effects on the park and nearby residences from the hotel’s shadow, mechanical equipment and restaurants.
The project also received letters and petitions with support from residents, who cited the opportunity to revitalize the vacant site and to alleviate public safety issues in the park related to drugs and homelessness.
“I would love to see Cutillo Park cleaned up and utilized in a way not seen in the 23 years I’ve been living here. Would love my three kids ages 9-14 to be able to have another public space to utilize without fear of the shady dealings we all know too well that take place back there currently,” a Fulton Street resident wrote.
Others cited a benefit to existing businesses that have lost customers because of the city’s recent crackdown on short-term rentals.
The BPDA requested that developers consider a redesign and provide additional information on traffic, delivery and construction effects.
“Above all, the key to the success of this design will be finding the right scale of the massing. As currently proposed, the project has footprint issues, and should consider modifying its lower building elements to reduce the negative impacts on the immediate surrounding public realm and Greenway,” the agency wrote in a letter to developers issued Friday.
In addition to BPDA approval, the project requires seven variances and conditional use permits from the zoning board of appeals.
