From the Boston Herald
If the Raymond Property Co. wants to build a skyscraper in Government Center that rivals the 52-story Prudential Tower, it may have to build a school as part of the project.
Parents from Boston’s downt own neighborhoods have scheduled a meeting with Mayor Thomas M. Menino on April 3 to explore ways to build a kindergarten through eighth-grade school within the proposed $2.3 billion Government Center Garage redevelopment.
“This project is at the nexus of three communities and it’s a natural place for a school,” said William Jacobson, a member of Coalition for Public Education, a group of 165 parents from downtown neighborhoods lobbying City Hall for an elementary school at the massive project site. “The city has done lots to get people to live downtown, and a school would complement their efforts.”Earlier this month, Raymond filed plans with the Boston Redevelopment Authority to demolish the Government Center Garage and replace it with a 42- and a 52-story tower as well as a hotel, stores, restaurants and smaller residential buildings.
The school idea is the latest wrinkle in the controversial project. Some residents insist the proposed skyscrapers are too tall. And City Councilor and mayoral candidate Michael Flaherty has already objected to the developer including city-owned buildings as part of the project.
At a public hearing last week, more than a dozen parents spoke in favor of a school.
Steven Kasnet, Raymond’s chief executive, told the crowd that he is waiting for guidance from the BRA on how to proceed.
City Council President Michael Ross said he will not support the project unless it includes a school. “At a time when some Boston schools are being abandoned, every downtown elementary school has a waiting list,” he said. “There’s an opportunity here to get a school built as part of mitigation for this development.”
While the school department has closed six schools and the city is facing a $131 million budget gap, Menino said he will consider a new school. “Four neighborhoods have come together on this issue and I’m willing to look at it,” he said.
Menino, who met with parents last month about the school, believes that Raymond promised parents a school.
“The developer told the neighborhood in private meetings that they will build a school, but didn’t tell the BRA, so I question the developer’s sincerity,” he said.
Jacobson, one of the parents, said he is unaware of any promise by Raymond to build a school.
Kasnet could not be reached for comment.
