If you’re wondering why you haven’t heard about a state approval of the BRA’s request for an extension of its Urban Renewal Plans – here’s the reason: It would be illegal.

Multi-year extensions are classified as major modifications, which the state Department of Housing and Community Development cannot approve unless the City Council has approved. In 2005, the BRA tricked the Council into approving a double major modification: 10-year Plan extension together with a change in the process for future Council review -- to exclude extensions. DHCD’s ratification of that major modification ended the Council’s power over extensions.