Living for the City

Wed, Jan 13, 2021 11:00 AM

Info

Hosts: Michael G. Haskins

Topics:

Synopsis: Members of the Seaport Coalition will discuss yet another out-of-scale proposal jeapordizing the Seaport Historic Distrct, and their own alternative for a 'resiliancy park.'

The large-scale project far exceeds the zoning limits of the Historic District--including one planned on a parking lot that was once the site for mercury factories-- and will need to obtain a zoning variance from the city with the potential of air rights transfers. Aside from the mercury factories, enviromental concerns include building on a flood zone, and that the lot sits across the street from a school, which could subject children to years of construction and toxic chemicals.

In 2015, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named the South Street Seaport to its list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places and the Historic Districts Council opposes the project because of the height of the proposed towers and that it could be a “trojan horse,” setting a precedent to allow the city to deregulate other historic districts.

The developer is pledging $50 million to expand the now-shuttered Seaport Museum, include "affordable" housing, and clean-up of the toxic mercury site through the state’s brownfield program.v

Guests:

Playlist:

Info / Links:

Play

Donate