The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) today selected a mixed-use plan which will result in the development of retail shops, restaurants, a hotel, visitor center, and residential units, on the 8-acre Core Block in the South Boston Waterfront. The plan, proposed by the experienced development team of Urban Retail Properties and The John Drew Company, will provide much needed retail space to anchor the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) and the waterfront's growing residential, hotel and office uses. Urban Retail Properties, which is based in Chicago and the nation's largest manager of retail properties proposes to bring distinctive retail stores, not currently available in Boston, to the location.

With 1.2 million square feet of mixed-use space, the proposal is consistent with long-standing Massport/ City of Boston planning for the area. Revenue from the project will assist in funding key maritime investments in support of the Port of Boston.

The development of Massport's 8-acre Core Block includes:

a 600,000 square foot retail center with shops and restaurants establishing a destination for local residents and visitors
approximately 275 residences
unique shopping currently not available in the Boston area
an estimated 450-room hotel linked to the BCEC by an underground pedestrian walkway
a proposed Boston Visitor Center adjacent to the BCEC
parking for approximately 1,750 vehicles

The plan also calls for the potential construction of a grocery store on an adjacent parcel on Summer Street as well as the addition of office, housing, and hotel space in later phases.

By creating a mixed-use destination, Massport hopes to contribute to the City of Boston's plan for a vibrant, self-sustaining neighborhood on the South Boston Waterfront. In the last nine years, almost two million square feet of space has been developed on Massport property, including the Seaport Hotel, the WTC East and West office buildings, and the Manulife building (opening this summer). With new streets and a public open space system. Massport's 1.3-acre South Boston Maritime Park is currently under construction as well... In addition, construction on 465 apartments recently began on Massport parcels G and J.

The development of key parcels enables Massport to support its core maritime mission and continued investments in the Port of Boston.

For more information on the Core Block project, please contact Massport's Director of Planning and Development, Richard Henderson or Senior Project Manager, Andrew Hargens at 617-946-4470 or click on this linkwww.massport.com/business/water_water_south.html.

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