Condo plan meets grumbling

To its developers, the luxury condominium building proposed for a site near the Charlestown Bridge would be a vital addition to the North End.

But many who live nearby don't share that view.

Currently on the lot at 585 Commercial St. is a three-story building that most recently housed law offices and a Roche Bobois furniture store. Under the proposal by the developer, Gilchrest Associates, detailed in a public meeting 10 days ago in the former store's showroom, that building would be razed and an eight-story, 62-unit residence built in its place.

The new development, according to developer Byron Gilchrest , would include several benefits for the neighborhood: a better connection between the North End and the North Station area, and creation of much-needed housing and public amenities such as a restaurant, health club, marina, and small inn.

Each of those, however, was quickly shot down by residents who spoke out, sometimes angrily, during a question-and-answer session after the presentation.

Creating luxury condos, one resident said, does nothing to address the housing shortage. Another bristled at one presenter's characterization of the area as a "dead zone" that would be enhanced by the development, adding, to much applause, that the last thing the neighborhood needs is another restaurant, or to be better linked to the crowds and noise of North Station and the TD Banknorth Garden.

But the most frequent and loudest protests were aimed at the prospective 85-foot height of the project -- 37 feet taller than the existing building and 30 more than current zoning allows. Some residents said it would block their views and wall them off from the harbor. Building to such a height would need to be approved by the Boston Redevelopment Authority . One speaker, addressing BRA project manager Kristin Donovan , said the variance and the project appeared to be a done deal as far as the BRA was concerned.

"Why aren't you honoring our height limits? Why aren't you helping us to maintain the character of our neighborhood?" asked Mary McGee , who said she has lived in the neighborhood for 32 years. "We don't want to be an enclave of the entitled. Why can't you understand that it's the real people here who make the North End wonderful?"

After the meeting, Sandra Caso , a lifelong North Ender whose family, she said, has lived in the area for 100 years, repeated a complaint heard often in the North End in recent years.

"With all these big high-rises, they're pushing all the little people out. This is supposed to be a neighborhood, and now they're ruining it."

Two of the dozen or so speakers voiced only mild questions and concerns, and no one spoke in support. But former city councilor Paul Scapicchio , a North End native who is advising the developers as part of his work for the consulting firm, ML Strategies , said the project does have supporters in the neighborhood, even if none chose to voice his or her support during the meeting.

"I think we had a real good cross-section of complaints and suggestions," he said, "from 'Let's take it by eminent domain' to 'The sidewalk configuration could be better.' "

He provided two phone numbers of people who he said were supporters; one didn't return messages, the other declined to comment.

Initially hesitant about taking part, Scapicchio said he changed his mind after being impressed by an earlier Gilchrest Associates project a few blocks away at 44 Prince St.

"After trying to build some good will for 8 1/2 years, I would only do it if it was somebody that listened, was honest, and was going to try to do the best he could with his development," Scapicchio said. "I think this is the first stop on a journey."

Gilchrest said neighbors definitely will have a voice in the project.

"This is a process in which the neighborhood has an opportunity to have input as to what should happen, and I respect that, I really do," he said. "I will take all of those comments seriously, and I will respond to them all one way or another."