Art Park lawsuit moves to trial soon

The lawsuit over the proposed Art Park development is moving closer to trial, according to developer Sebastian Mariscal.

Mariscal said in an email blast that the development team is making as “much progress with the development as we can,” while addressing Mission Hill residents Oscar and Kathryn Brookins’ lawsuit over the City’s Zoning Board of Appeals’ decision to grant variances for the project.

“This appeal has significantly delayed our schedule,” he said. “Our team is working very hard and diligently to resolve the matter as quickly as possible. It is impossible to predict exact construction start dates at this stage, but rest assured that we are putting all of our energy and resources into getting this project back on track.”

A final pretrial court hearing is slated for Sept. 8, when a trial date will be set, according to Mariscal.

The Art Park site is City-owned land between Parker and Terrace Streets that is slated to be redeveloped into community gardens and residential and retail space. The site currently contains murals, mosaic footpath tiles and colorful furniture, and community gardens that were operated by local residents.

Mariscal plans to redevelop the Art Park site into 44 apartments with 10 affordable housing units; 58,000 square feet of green space; and 4,000 square feet of retail space. The site will have 30 parking spaces and 82 bike-parking spaces.

The site will also have community gardens on the roof of the buildings, along with a solar-panel farm towards the Terrace Street side. It is expected to be LEED-certified at “Platinum,” which is the construction industry’s highest energy-efficient rating. The site is slated to produce more energy than it will use.

The location of the proposed Art Park development, which is currently delayed because of a court case. (Gazette Photo by Peter Shanley)

The location of the proposed Art Park development, which is currently delayed because of a court case. (Gazette Photo by Peter Shanley)

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