Governor Gives Hines Project a Lift

Despite protests from some, Governor A. Paul Cellucci has signed a bill clearing a major hurdle for a $600-million mixed-use complex planned for South Station. A provision included in the state’s $3.2 billion transportation bond bill exempts Hines Interests from so-called Chapter 91 regulations that guide development along Massachusetts’ waterways.

Hines vice president David Perry says the Texas-based firm is encouraged by Cellucci’s action, which came after considerable debate. Up until the final moment, it was unclear whether the governor would side with Hines and the Boston Redevelopment Authority, or acquiesce to environmentalists and several watchdog groups who claim the exemption will weaken oversight of waterway development.

According to Perry, the change was needed to correct “an unintended consequence of Chapter 91.” A road separating South Station from Fort Point Channel would normally have exempted the project from the regulations if it were considered a public way, but because it is technically private due to the presence of a large United States Postal Service operation, the Hines venture falls within Chapter 91 oversight.