Donald J. Chiofaro, who developed International Place, is proposing building two skyscrapers with condos, offices, stores, and a hotel near the New England Aquarium. The taller builder will be 690 feet, and the shorter one 560 feet. People from all walks of life can hardly reach an absolute consensus on the issue in question. Chiofaro has faced stiff opposition from residents of the nearby Harbor Towers condominiums, who have repeatedly objected to the scale of the project. Besides, the FAA and BRA officials also offered little support for the two complexes.
After reading several articles about the colossal project, my view will fall between the two extremes for the sake of perfection. And my analysis will be well grounded with the following sound reasons.
Undoubtedly, the project has faced several vital hurdles right now. First and foremost, no one could fail to take into the account that development will overshadow the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the new city park district in the downtown. Mayor Thomas M. Menino has hired consultants to create height and design guidelines for parcels along the Greenway, which stretches from Chinatown to North Station. I’ve no idea what the final height standard is. But what I know is that without the government’s support, the project seems not to be successful.
Another point worth mentioning is that the current limit height of buildings in the area is only 155 feet based on the zoning rules. However, Chiofaro’s expectation to the building is respectively 625 feet and 560 feet, which is far beyond current standards. So He has to ask city officials to change waterfront zoning rules so as to allow Chiofaro to build such two giants.
In addition, the Massachusetts Port Authority raised concerns that the development would interfere the Logan International Airport. On Oct. 30, the FAA finding indicated Chiofaro’s project would be too tall and may interfere with planes taking off and landing at Logan International Airport and the optimal height of the complex should be 407 feet - - about half its current height. Undoubtedly, it’s a height can not be accepted by Chiofaro. However, the FFA finding indicated the development will have an adverse physical or electromagnetic interference effect upon navigable airspace – which is very hazardous.
However, we can’t ignore the benefits of the development. I do trust it will create more opportunities to the unemployed people and decrease the high unemployment rate of the city right now. Besides, this is the one site in the city that can deliver what’s needed to bring more activity to the Greenway. And just as a netizen said, Boston seems to be falling in the ranks and we need to add new bold architecture to the sky.
I am glad to hear that Chiofaro is proposing to lower the overall height of the taller building from 690 to 625 feet. But I don’t think it is enough. Considering its benefit to the city and great profit to his firm, Chiofaro should make a more concession to meet various requirements, or the vital obstacles mentioned above will be a death knell for his skyscrapers
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