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Tempers flared, insults flew at meeting on proposed North End hotel
By adamg on Thu, 10/08/2015 - 3:39pm
NorthEndWaterfront.com covered a BRA meeting yesterday on the proposed Lewis Wharf hotel:
Unfortunately, many commenters were heckled and several shouting matches broke out before and during the public session. Police were called and on site during the forum. At times, the discussion became divisive and hostile. Among the barbs thrown were harsh, sterotypical references to types of people living in various parts of the neighborhood (waterfront vs. interior North End, newcomer vs. oldtimer, rich vs. poor, etc.).
Neighborhoods:
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Comments
the discussion became
Townie basically tells all of the newcomers they don't know the neighborhood, trucks are no problem, go back to the waterfront, etc at 1:42 or so.
I was hoping...
...those two eggly buildings that are front and center on their drawing weren't the buildings they were proposing...as Chrissy Hynde would say, "use suh-suh-some imagination"...
Democracy in action! Break
Democracy in action! Break out the popcorn.
The BRA
All that the BRA creates in Boston is newcomer vs. oldtimer, rich vs. poor, etc.
Why do we need
Why do we need so many new hotels in Boston? Wouldn't the land be better used for residents since we have a low housing stock? Maybe hotel rooms increase tourism but at the expense of taking up space for residents that are what make a city?
because there is a hotel shortage too
Boston is in top 5 most expensive hotel markets.
That is no shortage
That is investors trying to cash in on a very hot market.
.
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No, it is a shortage
There would be no "hot market" if it were not for high demand. My organization had to move meeting dates in order to find a big enough room block to work with on several occasions - and this is planning a couple of months in advance.
Part of the reason is that people need to stay close in - Boston is not a city to drive to or drive around.
God forbid you have to plan
God forbid you have to plan in advance, best move some locals so there's always some empty space for you!
Locals? In the north end?
Locals? In the north end? Pretty sure it's about 66% yuppies there. Also, this proposal doesn't move any one around, its on a freaking parking lot and vacant space.
So...
Anyone who didn't grow up in the City of Boston is a yuppie now?
Given the current housing
Given the current housing market, I'd say that's pretty well true by definition.
Porque no los dos?
There's been a trend of building hotel / residential combo buildings recently. Sure, the housing units tend to be very upscale, as one would expect for living in a hotel and for living in a new building.
Still, building new, shiny high end units makes some of the older, duller high end units upper-mid. Ultimately, it helps put a little downward pressure on housing prices, as does every increase in housing stock at any price/quality.
So, why not both? Why not add a few housing units to this (or other) hotel projects? Bigger buildings, but a mix of residential and hotel, which helps ensure both restaurants and grocery stores remain in the neighborhood.
Hey, Whatsamatta U?
Hey, Whatsamatta U?
What?
Didn't realize the proposal also includes a 97 room field house shaped like the Taj Mahal.