Columbus Center

Feds charge exec at failed luxury project tried to grease way for state, federal funds with illegal campaign contributions

adamg — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:42:53 +0000

The US Attorney's office reports on federal charges against Martin Raffol, an executive at the company that sought millions in state subsidies for its now failed $800-million Columbus Center project.

Making use of negative space downtown

adamg — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:16:29 +0000

The Globe asked local designers to come up with alternatives for the Filene's Hole and other vacant construction sites around town. "A vertical algae-powered bioreactor?" Sure, why not?

Chuck Turner subpoenaed in Wilkerson probe

adamg — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:40:45 +0000

The Herald reports City Councilor and prominent Dianne Wilkerson supporter Chuck Turner has been subpoenaed as part of the federal investigation into Sen. Dianne Wilkerson (and props to the Herald editor who came up with the "BUSTED" headline atop one of those surveillance photos).

And among the things the feds wanted in particular were all records related to Turner's contacts with developers who might have had dealings with Wilkerson, including Arthur Winn, who is responsible for that giant hole in the ground where Columbus Center on the South End/Back Bay line was supposed to go. Wilkerson was a prominent backer of this Norwegian Blue of Boston developments, which got some state financial backing before it went into suspension. Also requested: anything related to a developer to whom Wilkerson tried to get the state to sell some land on Harrison Avenue - for which Wilkerson is now charged with taking bribes from undercover FBI agents.

As the Herald notes, the government was casting "a wide net" in the subpoena, not that it was accusing anybody besides Wilkerson of any wrongdoing.

South End hole in the ground to remain a hole in the ground

adamg — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:34:00 +0000

The South End News reports the moneyless developers of Columbus Center will do some "minimal work" at their hole in the ground to keep the hole "in play" should they suddenly find a winning Red Sox scratch ticket or otherwise find the money to actually turn the hole into a development.

Giant South End project just resting?

adamg — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:54:13 +0000

The South End News explains all the financial folderol about the $800-million Columbus Center project you may have seen over the weekend: The project could be pining for the fjords:

"While we still kind of have hopes for the project," [Turnpike Authority spokesman Mac Daniel] said, "it looks like it's being put on hold."

Like, for at least 18 months. The turnpike authority is involved because the luxo-condo project would sit on a deck atop the Mass. Pike.