Might the epic Fenway Center have hit a legal roadblock? It looks like it. Greg Turner at The Herald reports that a real estate firm has appealed a ruling against it last month that seemed to pave the way for the five-building, $450 million project near the ballpark of similar name. Last go-round, the firm had claimed the public extensions for Fenway Center would slice across its adjoining property. A judge ruled otherwise, and everyone thought the project, with its solar-powered exuberance, was a sure thing. But, this being the Hub (Boston in particular), development (residential development in particular) can't be allowed to be a sure thing.
Fenway Center's first phase is supposed to have a 102-unit apartment building along Brookline Avenue; a 750-space parking garage on a deck over the Mass. Pike; a pair of apartment building with 316 units total along Beacon Street; and retail that will include the organic grocer Harvest Co-op.
It's not entirely clear how viable the latest legal action is—a spokesman for the adjoining landlord said its position in the appeal will become clearer in subsequent filings—but it's the first bump since last month's green light. Stay tuned.
· Fenway Center Battle Back in Court After Appeal [Herald]
· Epic Solar-Powered Fenway Project to Start: 5 Buildings, $450M [Curbed Boston]