"Aquarium firmly against waterfront tower plan; Officials say construction could pose a threat to sea animals, finances" by Jon Chesto and Dan Adams Globe Staff | Globe Correspondent June 23, 2015
The New England Aquarium on Monday came out in opposition to developer Don Chiofaro’s plan to build a 600-foot tower on its doorstep, declaring that the aquarium would face “substantial financial risks” if the massive project goes forward.
Aquarium officials said the vibrations and noise from construction of a tower on the Boston Harbor Garage site next door could threaten the health of its marine animals and that the towers would worsen existing traffic and parking problems in the neighborhood, scaring away the visitors it depends on for revenue.
The opposition threatens to escalate a neighborhood scrap over traffic, parking, and shadows that would be created by the towers into an ugly brawl involving an institution known to generations of New Englanders.
“We don’t have a significant endowment or financial reserves. We need people walking through the door,” said Bill Burgess, chairman of the aquarium’s committee on the garage redevelopment. “To the extent that people can’t get here or are dissuaded from coming here because of construction, that poses a significant financial risk to the aquarium.”
The aquarium’s concerns came in response to draft recommendations recently released by the Boston Redevelopment Authority that would allow the proposed development on the Harbor Garage site to reach 600 feet. Aquarium officials said they are open to a smaller building, however.
Because the garage stands on state-regulated tidelands, Governor Charlie Baker’s environmental affairs office will have the final say on any development....
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UPDATE: Don Chiofaro should take city’s advice on Harbor Garage
Out of this world, isn't it?
