BOSTON
A pending measure in the Massachusetts state legislature that would lift a prohibition on the construction of hotels near the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center is drawing concern from residents of the surrounding area, known as Fort Point Channel.
Proponents of the bill, written by Senator Jack Hart of South Boston and attached to the Senate’s budget bill, say it would allow much needed rooms near the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The state Convention Center Authority says the lack of rooms is hurting business. But Fort Point residents say that they want a neighborhood, not rows of tall hotels.
The measure would allow the MCCA and its partners to construct no more than 2,700 rooms in seven hotels, one of which being a much larger “headquarters hotel” and the other six being “mid-priced.” The restrictions would also require that every hotel must have a contract with the MCCA.
According to the MCCA, the BCEC needs 4,000 rooms in close proximity to accommodate conventions. Currently there are 1,700 rooms close to the BCEC.
