Boston plan to sell tow lot up in the air amid opposition

The Walsh administration wants to sell an 18-acre site in the Dorchester-South Boston borderlands that serves as a public works lot for Boston to a private developer, but such a plan appears headed for two major roadblocks.

For one thing, environmentalists and others note the site’s possible use in combating rising sea levels in Boston down the road. For another, City Councilwoman Michelle Wu wants to hit the brakes on any sale of what is the single, biggest parcel of city-owned land up for redevelopment.

“Rather than just take a vote and move on, we should hear more from the public and gather more [information],” Wu told the Globe’s Jon Chesto. “Public land should be used for the greatest public good. We haven’t seen any analysis yet of what the greatest good would be.”

As it stands, the city’s sales plan is going before a City Council committee that Wu chairs on November 29. If the Walsh administration prevails, the 18 acres would be put up for bid among would-be developers. Stay tuned.

• Future of city’s public works yard spurs debate [Globe]
• Boston parcels up for sale: 5 prime spots on the market right now [Curbed Boston]