New Boston cargo center opens

Local officials, including Mayor Thomas M. Menino, today marked the opening of the $65 million International Cargo Center of New England on the South Boston waterfront.

The building contains more than 300,000 square feet of cargo space along with space for offices and retail, said the Boston Redevelopment Authority, the city's planning agency.

In a statement, the BRA expressed the hope that biotech and bioenergy firms might lease some of the space at the center, increasing the number of life sciences businesses already located at the Boston Marine Industrial Park.

Cargo Ventures LLC, a New York real estate firm, and Boston Freight Terminals partnered to build the new facility, the BRA said.

"Now that Phase One is complete with its 300,000 square feet, we are looking forward to Phase Two, which will involve demolishing the former Boston Freight Terminals building at 329 Northern Ave. and replacing it with similar additional warehouse and office support space," Cargo Ventures president Jacob Citrin said in a statement.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)