Boston Development Group's $160m facility getting approval from city

The Merano, a proposed $160 million mixed-use facility from Boston Development Group, is getting approval from the city, setting the scene for major construction in the Bulfinch Triangle here. The project will include two hotels, retail space and more office space in the downtown Boston area near North Station. "This project will further the revitalization efforts that are happening in the Bulfinch Triangle by bringing much needed hotel rooms and commercial space," said mayor Thomas Menino. "The removal of the elevated highway brought us the beautiful Rose Kennedy Greenway--and now we will add to that with a great mixed-use project." The project site is available because of the elevated I-93 highway structures' recent demise and subsequent demolition. The space is across the street from the TD Banknorth Garden. The dueling hotels will total 190,000 s/f, consisting of a 153-room short-term Courtyard and a 121-room extended-stay hotel from TownePlace Suites, both by Marriot. Retail will sell from 10,000 s/f of ground-floor cement with 13,000 s/f of ground-floor restaurant space. The Merano will also contain 206,000 s/f of office space for businesses in the adjacent area. The project puts into play myriad public benefits for the Bulfinch Triangle. There is $50,000 to support a comprehensive traffic study of the Bulfinch Triangle neighborhood in coordination with the Boston Transportation Department; $75,000 to support neighborhood improvements; and $300,000 for the City's Crossroads Initiative, focusing on Causeway Street, among other proposed initiatives to improve the neighborhood.