Development in Cleveland Circle Proving Unpopular with Neighbors

The Globe reported in August that Boston Development Group, who are developing the site, have filed new plans which include a 181-room hotel. They also plan to build a 141-space parking lot beneath the structure. 

According to a Boston.com story filed Sept. 21, residents of the surrounding neighborhoods packed a meeting held last week, many in opposition to the project.

The story cites one resident of the nearby Waterworks at Chestnut Hill condos, Ilene Solomon saying, “A lot of us moved here because it is a gateway between the suburbs and the city and we don’t want a big blob there. It looks like a concrete jungle.” 

The developers told residents that they were working on the materials used in the building, and will consider neighbor input. 

“We’ve made many changes, but there are some things we can’t change,” John Meunier, a project manager for Boston Development Group was quoted saying.

See full meeting coverage on Boston.com's YourTown Allston-Brighton.

The proposed project will impact Brookline because part of the proposed Cleveland Circle Hotel falls on Brookline land. However, in the plans, it is Boston that will most likely take the lion’s share of the redevelopment--and likely taxes as well. 

To aid in that process, Brookline Town Meeting passed a warrant article in 2011 which would allow special permitting to begin this summer on development. The Town held a public meeting on Aug. 2 to discuss the project. See the PDFs to the right for materials presented at that meeting, currently available on the Brookline Town Website. 

The full letter of intent and project notification form are both available on the Boston Redevelopment Authority's website. 

Neighbors can also contact the BRA's Project Manager Erico Lopez with comments, questions and concerns. The site lists his phone number, 617-918-4429; e-mail address, erico.lopez.bra@cityofboston.gov, and physical address: 

Erico Lopez
Boston Redevelopment Authority 
One City Hall Square 
Boston, MA 02201-1007. 

This is the latest page in the story of the the Circle Cinema site, and in the larger story of How Cleveland Circle Came to Be.