The Curious Case of MCCA Agenda Item – Proposal to Develop 6 Acres Near Convention Center
Okay, remember about a year ago -the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA) put out a request for proposals to develop three lots, making up more than six acres on D and E streets next to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in South Boston?
Two local developers submitted bids for mixed-use developments. They included a potpourri of features to sweeten the pot, like a grocery store, retail, life science buildings, and a landing pad for “flying taxis” that haven’t even been developed yet. Then, in April, the MCCA decided to back away. Some suspected it had something to do with the local South Boston elected officials’ opposition to the lack of transparency in the process.
Well, on Tuesday, according to the Boston Business Journal, the MCCA posted an agenda showing that its board of directors would vote Thursday on the provisional designation of a team led by Jon Cronin to develop this aforementioned area.
The agenda suggested that MCCA executive director David Gibbons and a selection committee had chosen the Cronin bid over a rival proposal from a team led by John Hynes III’s Boston Global Investors. The two teams submitted their new bids a few months ago.
Then, mysteriously, something changed.
An updated agenda was posted by the MCCA that stated the board would be presented with the recommendation of Gibbons and the selection committee without stating what that recommendation would be. The new agenda also does not list a vote on the matter.
Hmmm…you can read more about this situation here via BBJ!
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
This green space/open space should be dedicated to future generations. We must do our part to slow climate change, and this is exactly what green space and open space does it slows climate change.
Jon Cronin is a pillar of the Community & won the bid twice. Something is rotten in Denmark. Don’t be surprised if you see the US Attorney get involved. The injustice is just too obvious to ignore.