Simon Property Group is "nickel and diming" Boston over a community benefits package that would allow it to build a skyscraper above Copley Place and expand the mall to enclose public land near Copley Square, according to one state representative.
The developer plans to build a massive Neiman Marcus store as part of its redevelopment of the mall, to be topped by a new 47-story tower that some fear would cast unwanted shadows on historic Copley Square. Simon also proposes to appropriate a portion of the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Southwest Corridor Park within a new store entrance.
More than 40 members of the public gave the project mixed reviews last night, before the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) board of directors unanimously approved the controversial plan opposed by multiple officials.
The mall’s owner has decided to create 10 affordable units in the $500 million tower. Simon is planning to purchase a property in the South End to build another 35 affordable units to comply with city requirements.
Simon has agreed to contribute $1 million for the installation of public art in the Back Bay, but the BRA bowed to the developer’s stipulation that the real estate company help choose the art.
The citizens advisory committee (CAC) reviewing the project asked Simon to give $20,000 annually to the Friends of Copley Square, which helps maintain the park, to mitigate the effects of new shadows the tower will create on the year’s darkest days. The CAC also requested another $20,000 annual contribution for maintenance of the nearby Southwest Corridor Park.
But Simon has refused to comply with the CAC, which is appointed by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. The company said that since it plans to redesign the entryway of the Southwest Corridor Park, and has offered a one-time $250,000 payment for maintenance, that’s enough. Simon has also offered a $200,000 one-time payment to the Friends of Copley Square.
"There was no reason they couldn’t just pay the $20,000 annually, unless they plan to own it for only 20 years," said State Rep. Byron Rushing, who represents Boston’s South End neighborhood, which abuts the project. "But is that really how you pay your rent?"
Not only is the city getting shorted on funds it deserves and should have negotiated for, Rushing said, but the developer is causing the area to lose diversity by choosing to put so few affordable housing units on-site.
"You know, it wasn’t until the Boston Redevelopment Authority told the developer it was going to delay the vote to review the plans that the developer upped the payment from $200,000 to $250,000," Rushing told Banker & Tradesman. "They could have easily gotten more if they had wanted to."
