The BCEC Case Study I:What we got right
February 22, 2010
Presented by Lowell Richards
Agenda: What we got right
1. Process: Legislative2. Process: Neighborhood3. Comprehensive Special Legislation4. Land Taking5. Finance District 6. City Role7. Environmental Review8. Procurement9. Design
1. Process: Legislative
Established study groupGovernor, House Speaker, Senate President, Mayor
Thoughtful research and analysisThird party experts
Drafts of reports circulated early and often
Check and accountability established through the required certification of the city's CFO and A&F secretary
2. Process: Neighborhood
Aggressive outreach throughout study group process
Neighborhood Design Advisory Committee (NDAC) established and worked with design team
Legislatively mandated community liaison
3. Comprehensive Special Legislation
Identified project size – buildings and land area
Specified budget and funding sources
Clearly defined roles for City of Boston & MCCA
Dealt with process, permitting, procurement and other topics
Assignment of future cost sharing between city and state in case of cost over-runs
4. Land Taking
More taken than necessary, to allow for expansion
Headquarters hotel site designation on North East corner, underground parking
Existing Conditions, Before BCEC Construction
5. Finance District
Created dedicated revenue stream for bonds
Very close to revenue neutral to the Commonwealth
Approximate boundary of Convention Center Financing District
6. City of Boston Role
Financial commitment created elevated presence
Site acquisition, demolition and remediation
7. Environmental Review
Streamlined Article 80 process
Master permit
8. Procurement
Special procurement provisions in Ch.152 made project feasible
Traditional (Ch.149) public procurement would not have worked
9. Design
Meeting planner involvement early
Exhibit hall on one floor
Massive (at the time) ballroom
Exhibit hall to meeting room ratio optimal for business success
Review: What we got right
1. Process: Legislative2. Process: Neighborhood3. Comprehensive Special Legislation4. Land Taking5. Finance District 6. City Role7. Environmental Review8. Procurement9. Design
The BCEC Case Study I:What we did right
February 22, 2010
Presented by Lowell Richards