We knew Boston's real estate was getting a little crazy, but this kind of extreme, no? The City of Boston earlier this year put out requests for redevelopment proposals for the dilapidated building at 611 Columbia Road in Dorchester. It was once used as a so-called comfort station for commuters, but has been pretty much boarded up since 1977. Not much to look at, it comes with strings attached, including the requirement that a developer maintain its historic integrity somehow.
Fourteen parties so far have viewed the property, offering to redevelop it into some kind of commercial use and willing to jump through the regulatory hoops to do so (the station is listed on both the state and national historic registers). At least the upfront costs will be low: The bidding starts at a cool $100.
· For Sale: 1912 Comfort Station; Bids Start at $100 [Reporter]
· It's Come to This: A South End Closet Is Asking Five Figures [Curbed Boston]