They ask for a
"hardship" even after filing a lawsuit against the city, naming both
Mayor Curtatone and Alderwoman Gewirtz in it, stating that the city
illegally stopped them from proceeding by refusing to grant a permit to
remove a shade tree. That takes a lot of gumption – sue the city and
then ask for a gift – its called trying to strong arm a city by doing
whatever it takes to get what you want, and from what we hear it's not
the first time similar tactics have been used by this and/or other
developers.

Seven years of general craziness has swirled around
this specific location and this developer – and even though they won a
case that went before the State Supreme Court, why would anyone want to
continue in an area that abutters, neighbors, elected officials and
members of the local business community openly hate you and everything
you stand for?

In our opinion, it's simple – the almighty dollar
– that's why – it doesn't matter who says what, as long as they can
build. Of course, like any other animal backed into a corner, they will
continue to do and say whatever it takes to get what they want – they
supposedly have a mortgage on that property that would make your nose
bleed and have to be under pressure by the local bank that gave them
the money to do something, and soon.

Want to kill a couple of
hours – don't take our word for it – log onto the Registry of Deeds
online and try to follow the deed/paper trail and all the companies and
"investors" and mortgage holders related to this project and their
other projects – it makes for interesting reading, that's for sure. It
is enough to make your head spin, guaranteed.

It also wouldn't
be so bad if they hadn't left a bad taste in the community's mouth
after the last several projects they have done in this city either.
From what we hear, abutters, neighbors, Aldermen, local businesses,
contractors – pretty much anyone who has had to deal with them on any
level has had a less than pleasant experience.

We think it would
be much better if demo-man and his new friends from Charlestown or even
better yet, KSS Realty, were involved with this project instead of this
particular developer. In our opinion, this city doesn't need developers
like Dakota/Emerald anymore – even in this economy there are plenty of
people with plenty of money that won't step on and step over everyone
just to get their way.

For us, the only thing that would now
definitely prove to be the last straw is if the ZBA, under its current
less than intelligent leadership, grants this ridiculous "hardship"
extension.