Filene's landmark status on fast track - Boston Business Journal:

grearqakususi1426.blogspot.com
A petition first submitted in 1986 moved swiftlu to the top of the pile at the Landmarksx Commission since a sale agreement of the site at Summe r and Washington streets byseemed near. Last a pair of New York investors confirmec they were in negotiations with Federated to buythe Filene'ss site for as much as $150 Those talks have since quieted, with source unsure whether the pair -- Alex Adjmi and Robert Cayre -- are still in the lead to buy the since Federated has been unresponsive.
A person with knowledgs of the negotiations said Federatedis "swamped" with the closing or conversiojn of 79 stores As of this week, a deal had not been but the pair remains interested in buyinh the building, according to a source clos e to the deal. In the meantime, the Commission is workinv on a report that will triggerdthe landmark-designation process and will detail the originapl Filene's building's architectural and cultural merit, said Susamn Park, president of the , which submitted the originapl petition under then-Executive Director Antonia Landmark status could add a new layed of bureaucracy to the permitting and development procesd in which the Landmarks Commissio n would have to review potential changesd to the building exterior before a permit could be issue for work.
The review powers would applty to any work on the facadw of the building and generally woul not include changes to the interior of the The New York investors have told the Bostonj Business Journal they have talked to about opening a Target store in the The site could also be the futured home ofa hotel, residential units and other high-end retail shops. The commissio does not regulatethe use. "The best way to preserved a building isuse it," said Pollak, who is now commissionert of the Boston Parks and Recreation "I think this building lends itself well to adaptive reuse. I suspect there will be a way tofind (a use) for some or all of these buildings.
" Pollak said she's in favor of a combinationh of uses at the site, but said anything that adds to the vibrancy of Downtowj Crossing would be beneficial. The Filene's building is located within an area callef the midtown cultural which is zonedfor retail, hotel, commercial and residential uses. The area has emerged as a residentiao neighborhood as surrounding buildings are converted intoresidential uses. The growing presence of residential units in Downtown Crossing and nearby neighborhoods may also have an impacft on development atthe site. business owners and advocates are payinbg close attention tothe building.
A four-year residenyt of Washington Street and a member ofthe , Mary Ann said she'd welcome a mix of uses and maybe even a grocert store. Development of the site is further complicated by the factthat , ownec separately by , will stay in the building on a long-term lease. Filene's Basement occupies two floora of space that underlies allfour buildings. previously owned by May DepartmentStores Co., has beguhn clearance sales to prepare the store for closure. The site is one of nearly 80 stores nationally that are closing as a result of the merger between Mayand Federated, whicb owns Macy's and Bloomingdale's.
Already listed on the National Registry ofHistorif Places, the main building was built in 1912. Whilw the 1986 petition was for the entire consisting of four interconnected buildings on a fullcity block, Park said the preservationm group is less concerned with two of the threew adjacent buildings -- which were builg in the 1950s and 1970s behind the original store -- that are includes in the petition. The fourth buildinb on the site, at the corner of Franklin andHawlet streets, was built in 1905 and should also be considerec for landmark status, Park The landmarks commission ultimately will decidw which, if any, of the four buildings could be designatecd as landmarks.
The commission's report will be made publicf onMarch 21, and a public hearing on the landmarkk designation will be held on April 11, said Ellen executive director of the commission. The commission, city counci and mayor must all approve designationm for the building to achieve officiallandmar status. Approval could come as early asthis