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Mayor Menino Announces 'At Long Last' a Supermarket for the West End and Surrounding Neighborhoods

Dec 12, 2013

Today Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced that Star Market will anchor the Boston Garden redevelopment site, ending a nearly 20 year effort to bring a supermarket to the northwest end of the city.  To secure the critical tenant and create tax certainty during the first phase of the $950 million Boston Garden redevelopment, the City of Boston has reached a 121A tax agreement with the project developers.
 
“For many years West End residents have asked for an accessible and convenient supermarket and today we can announce that this need will finally be met," said Mayor Menino. “Bringing Star Market to this neighborhood is one of the key community benefits of the Boston Garden redevelopment plan and is considered of immeasurable value to residents of the West End, Bulfinch Triangle, and the North End."
 
The supermarket will be part of a larger development project under review by the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) at the old Boston Garden site. Located on Causeway Street in front of TD Garden, the development team of Delaware North Companies and Boston Properties is proposing a 1,870,000 square foot mixed-use complex with new residences, hotel rooms, office space, flex office space, and retail, which will attract new jobs and residents to the area and continue the ongoing neighborhood revitalization. Star Market will comprise approximately 45,000 square feet and feature the freshest produce, top-quality meat and seafood, a large selection of prepared foods, as well as natural and organic products, and premium customer service.
 
"Knowing the importance of, and long wait for, a grocery store in the Bulfinch Triangle, North End, and West End neighborhoods, we are pleased to announce we have signed a letter of intent with Star Market for the Boston Garden redevelopment," said Bryan Koop, Senior Vice President and Regional Manager for Boston Properties. "Star Market is a long-standing Boston brand and we are proud to partner with them to bring both the finest supermarket experience and a central community gathering point to the West End.  The tax certainty provided by the 121A agreement will benefit our tenants, securing the mix of uses and public benefits long desired by the community."
 
To support the supermarket and the extensive investment being made in the site, the first phase of the redevelopment will be assisted by a partnership with the City of Boston. The tax agreement authorized under Chapter 121A of the Massachusetts General Law will provide $7.8 million in property tax relief to the project over 15 years, while bringing approximately $32.3 million in new revenue to the city during the same period. Currently, the parcel yields less than $350,000 annually for the City of Boston in property taxes as an undeveloped lot.
 
"We are so pleased to announce Star Market will join a distinctive line-up of retail tenants for this development project,” said Charlie Jacobs, Principal of Delaware North Companies and the Boston Bruins.  “We recognize how important a supermarket is to our residential neighbors and are excited to participate in making this a reality.  Having Star Market is a major step forward for this mixed-use development. This project will create significant economic impact for the area, and strengthen the viability of this important, emerging district in the City."
 
"The North and West End communities deserve a grocery store that will offer a variety of high quality, fresh foods from a trusted brand that is also focused on delivering premium customer service. The Boston Garden Star Market project affords us that opportunity,” said Shane Sampson, President, Shaw’s and Star Market. “The Star Market name has been recognizable to Bostonians for nearly 100 years and there’s no better location for us to consider than the heart of Boston for our first new Star Market in four years. It will create new jobs and provide Bostonians with an unrivaled shopping experience. We look forward to working with Boston Properties, Delaware North Companies and the city on the Boston Garden project."
 
The Boston Garden redevelopment proposal and Chapter 121A agreement must be approved by the BRA Board. Both actions are scheduled for the December 19th meeting.

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