Earlier this year, The Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM), a government agency responsible for integrated facilities management and public construction, awarded the bid to rebuild the Edward J. Sullivan Courthouse to developer Leggat McCall.
This decision upset members of the East Cambridge Planning Team who criticized the state for failing to acknowledge the local community. The neighborhood favored a plan presented by HYM Investment Group. HYM, who is also behind the NorthPoint project, garnered strong support in the neighborhood with a plan to remove the top four floors of the building. In addition, the plan included 50 new apartments, office, retail, and community space.
Governor Deval Patrick stated last week that he will not reverse the controversial decision to award the redevelopment Leggat McCall.
DCAMM commissioner Caole Cornelison faced the Cambridge neighborhood group last February in a public meeting. Tempers flared, reports the Boston Business Journal. Residents listened as Cornelison explained that the selection criteria is set in state law and includes factors such as experience, the financial strength of a developer, and the proposed redevelopment itself.
Leggat McCall currently does not have plans to add any housing units to the site. Residents are upset and claim that the housing units are needed in East Cambridge.
State Rep. and City Councilor Timothy Toomey says that there is nothing lawmakers can do to reverse the DCAMM’s decision.
Check out our article about the early stages of this process!
UPDATE: Leggat McCall revised it’s plans to include 24 apartments in the complex.