Public Discussion: MCCA Parcels on D and E Streets

There are three parcels totaling six (6) acres of unoccupied land along D and E Streets directly across from the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (the BCEC) that are now available for development. They belong to the MCCA – the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. Brain Golden of Keegan Werlin LLP spoke to about 40 interested (and concerned) South Boston residents on Tuesday evening at the Condon Community Center. He was seeking their input to help determine the best future for these parcels.

Golden spoke of how it was necessary to develop them so as to provide a mid-price market to support the various hotels and businesses now open and/ or planned for the future in this area. He essentially admitted that the original plans, which required the BCEC to expand before any other improvements were made, had been ineffective. Approximately twenty (20) speakers from the audience ventured their opinions about the use of the three parcels. In varying degrees, every speaker was against extensive building taking place. Instead, they called for green space, parking structures, traffic easing measures, and above all, community oriented developments. The meeting lasted for an hour and a half. The speakers were polite and well-spoken, but (very) firm in their insistence that the three parcels be developed in a way that, first and foremost, benefited the South Boston community. A second such meeting will be held next Tuesday, May 23, at 6 p.m. in District Hall on Northern Avenue.