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Old Posted Dec 8, 2008, 8:38 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Boston, MA
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Boston

Downtown Boston is getting uglier by the day

Quote:
The hole in the middle of rebirth
Neighbors still hope for tower


Construction at the former Filene's site in Downtown Crossing, shown here in August, came to a halt about a month ago. Construction at the former Filene's site in Downtown Crossing, shown here in August, came to a halt about a month ago. (Essdras M Suarez/Globe Staff/FILE)

By Robert Preer
Globe Correspondent / December 7, 2008

Oversized holiday stars loom above the streets of Downtown Crossing. Shoppers are starting to crowd sidewalks, and the area's trendy new restaurants and bars are busy.

But in the heart of Boston's central business district and emerging residential neighborhood there's an oversized hole as well - the former Filene's property, where work on a $700 million condo-hotel-office-retail project began earlier this year, then stopped abruptly about a month ago.

"It's very sad news," said Deanna Palmin, a real estate broker who lives with her husband at Tremont on the Common. "The whole neighborhood was going to change because of this project. This high-profile development was going to show we are a residential neighborhood."

In early November, developers John B. Hynes III and Vornado Realty Trust called a halt to the project, which was to include both a new 38-story tower and restoration of the Filene's department store building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The original plans called for 250 hotel rooms, 166 condominiums, 475,000 square feet of office space, and four floors of retail, including the return of the much lamented Filene's Basement, a subterranean Boston landmark that closed in September 2007.

In announcing the shutdown, the developers said they would resume construction in 90 days after redesigning the project in hopes of making it more attractive to potential lenders. In the meantime, the unfinished project leaves a deep scar in the city. The hole in the ground takes up almost an entire city block on Washington and Franklin streets. Some of the walls on the parts of the Filene's building that are to be preserved were removed before the work stopped, leaving the interiors exposed and giving the project the look of a war zone.

Community and business leaders stress, however, that other, smaller development projects are going forward in Downtown Crossing, and leaders are confident that the Filene's project will resume early next year. "We feel this is temporary," said Rosemarie Sansone, president of the Downtown Crossing Association. "We know that at some point it will be restarted and completed. We all know what's happening in the world and in the economy now."

Peggy Carr, who lives in the Devonshire building and is active in the association, said, "With what's going on in the credit markets and the world in general, I can't be angry that the project is stopped. They are trying to make it nice as best they can."

While those with a stake in Downtown Crossing await the resumption of the Filene's project, they also are trying to make the most of the holiday season, which draws thousands of visitors to the area each year. The Downtown Crossing Association, which represents businesses and residents, is sponsoring a holiday house tour to create awareness of Downtown Crossing as a residential neighborhood.

On Dec. 13, about a dozen homeowners will open their holiday-decorated condominiums, lofts, and model units to visitors. In addition, restaurants throughout Downtown Crossing will offer special Holiday Home Tour specials and nearby parking garages will offer discounts. On that day, there also will be entertainment provided by artists, carolers, and other musicians at the intersection of Washington and Summer streets. The association sponsored a similar house tour in the spring.

Local businessman and resident William Ashmore is optimistic about the prospects for Downtown Crossing. The owner of Ivy Restaurant on Temple Place, Ashmore is planning to open a second restaurant, Stoddard's Fine Food & Ale, across the street early next year.

Ashmore noted that there are new developments underway or completed on West, Province and Bromfield streets, and on Hayward Place. The problems with the Filene's site will not derail Downtown Crossing's progress, he said. "I get the question a lot, and I really don't think it will," he said. "It's unfortunate timing, but I really feel it's only one piece of the puzzle. I wouldn't say it's a small piece, but there are others."

Robert Preer can be reached at preer@globe.com.
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