Turf battle

While the city, state, and Turnpike Authority argue over control of the Rose Kennedy Greenway, designers, business leaders, and neighborhood residents clash over the look of the prized new parkland.

THE TURNPIKE AUTHORITY

Matthew J. Amorello

Chairman, Massachusetts Turnpike Authority

· Awarded all design contracts for park and buildings

· Responsible for demolition of elevated artery and basic restoration of streets and sidewalks.

· Views the surface land as the "roof" of the Big Dig, and legal responsibility of the Turnpike Authority.

VIEWPOINT "We're in this for the long haul. We look at it as the transportation investment that it is."

THE CITY

Mark Maloney

Director, Boston Redevelopment Authority

· With city planner Rebecca Barnes, Boston's top policymaker on the artery.

· Critical of parks plan, saying it lacks overall unity.

· Seeks direct city control over the land, but with a trust to fund maintenance.

VIEWPOINT "Plain and simple, people will see these as city parks. If we're held accountable, we ought to be in a position to have significant say over them."

THE STATE

Douglas O. Foy

Chief of Commonwealth Development

· Designated by Governor Mitt Romney.

· Argues the state controls the surface land.

· Supports trust to help fund long-term maintenance

VIEWPOINT "There are 288 acres of new parks to come out of this. We have an obligation to their long-term stability... [not] an independent authority with no accountability."

THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY

Richard A. Dimino

President, Artery Business Committee

· Former city transportation commissioner.

· Worried that a fragmented process will lead to a mediocre design; says private sector can help.

VIEWPOINT "This should create a common ground that offers 18-hour and four-season uses for residents, workers, and visitors. It should re-knit the city and the waterfront, and celebrate our history and future."

THE DESIGN COMMUNITY

Robert A. Brown

Principal, CBT Childs Bertman Tseckares Inc.

· Past president of the Boston Society of Architects.

· Asked to halt design process while the BSA, the ABC, urban designer Ken Greenberg, and UPenn architecture dean Gary Hack make a fresh start.

VIEWPOINT "The three sections feel like separate pieces within the Greenway and are missing the opportunity to feel more connected."

NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS

Stephanie Fan

Co-chair, Chinatown/Leather District Surface Advisory Committee

· Like Nancy Caruso in the North End and Susan Lavoie in the central Wharf District, makes sure neighborhood residents have a say in planning.

· Favors open space over buildings, suspicious of property owners and developers

VIEWPOINT "I don't think we own the process, but we're certainly going to make sure we are involved."