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Under a settlement with the Conservation Law Foundation, Cronin agreed to increase the width of a planned portion of the Boston Harborwalk, and build and maintain a public dock at least as big as the nearby Pier 4. The South Boston company will also establish a fund for a new public waterfront park and provide annual funding for disadvantaged youth to enjoy the area.
In return, CLF will withdraw its pending Suffolk Superior Court case appealing the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ approval of an amended municipal harbor plan for the Seaport District project. It also will suspend its appeal of the state agency’s permit for Cronin to demolish its Whiskey Priest and Atlantic Beer Garden restaurants to make way for the $260 million tower, which will include about 124 condos, an underground garage, and 16,000-plus square feet of restaurant and deck space.
The CLF claimed officials illegally sidestepped public benefit requirements of a state waterfront law by granting Cronin building height, lot coverage and water-dependent use exemptions for the project, which it said would block public access to Boston Harbor.
“A project that had been a battleground will now create common ground,” CLF president Bradley Campbell said. “Jon Cronin deserves credit for resolving differences with CLF in favor of expanded public access to the waterfront.”
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