Apartment project faces more opposition

Eleven out of 13 members of the city-appointed Impact Advisory Group (IAG) for the proposed apartment building at 161 S. Huntington Ave. have signed a letter opposing the project.

The letter, sent to the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) today, included 20 bullet points opposing the look, size and scope of the project.

“The signatories think that there are some very serious issues with the project. We wanted to spell out in detail to the BRA,” signatory and IAG member Kevin Moloney told the Gazette.

“Thank you all for your effort in putting together a concise, itemized, and thorough letter clearly explaining your concerns. It will assist us greatly,” John Fitzgerald, the BRA’s project manager, wrote to the signatories in an email, a copy of which was provided to the Gazette.

The BRA did not have an immediate official comment.

Among the complaints listed in the letter are the small size of the proposed units, precluding families from living in the building; its “ugly” facade; the number of units, expected to be between 190 and 200; expected low percentage of affordable units; the proposed removal of 53 mature trees; failure to restore or adapt the historic 1914 building; and hidden identities of investors in the project.

The project’s BRA-appointed IAG last met on May 3. The BRA has not publicized any of the IAG meetings and has not responded to Gazette requests for their dates and locations.

The IAG letter follows on the footsteps of Boston Landmarks Commission’s vote to delay demolition and the Jamaica Pond Association’s vote to not support the project, both taken last week. The delay expires Aug. 7.

Today is the last day for the public to send comments about the project to the BRA. Comments can be sent to [email protected].

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