Lydia Rivera, spokesperson for the MBTA, confirms for GlobeSt.com that the schedule for modernizing the station has been "somewhat detained." Rivera says that there initially was a 2004 date to complete the renovations to the station but she adds, "basically we've had to extend the date. We had other priorities we had to attend to. The modernization will have to wait until 2008." Rivera notes that designers are already working on the station so it is possible that the date could be pushed up.

As to the repercussions a modernized station would have on local development projects, Rivera says, "I realize what we do impacts development in the area with regard to making the area nice."

Sources close to the $190-million Clippership Wharf project tell GlobeSt.com that the project is continuing to move forward in its regulatory process and that this won't impact the project "for now." But clearly, continues the source, "for [the station] to be slowed down, affects us all." Roesland Property Co. is also planning on developing residential units and office and retail space on a nearby parcel owned by the Massachusetts Port Authority.