Southie residents fret over condo proposal

South Boston residents and elected officials raised concerns last night about a proposal that would add 1,500 residential units and a hotel to a 15-acre waterfront area, officials said.

Redgate Capital Partners and Hilco Redevelopment Partners want to transform the 15.1-acre site at Summer and East First streets over 10 to 15 years with as many as 1,500 residential units, office space, a hotel, retail, restaurants, parking and 1.5 acres of open space next to the Reserve Channel. Developers have said if they win approvals, they plan to start building in two to three years.

“I’m concerned they’re putting 10 pounds of potatoes in a five-pound bag,” said state Rep. Nick Collins (DSouth Boston). “There’s no room to handle the density that’s proposed. They’re calling for 10,000 to 20,000 vehicles per day ... That’s their estimate. People want to see the site cleaned up, but at what cost?”

George McEvoy, 63, said, “The scope of this development is so far and above what we’ve seen. Usually you have a 10-unit condo. They’re proposing 1,500 units and another 300-unit hotel. It seems unsustainable.”

McEvoy, a longshoreman, said he’s concerned heavy traffic would stall trucks coming to Boston docks to pick up cargo, prompting carriers to send shipments elsewhere.

“If you start bottle-necking the truckers outside the terminal, they’re going to go somewhere else,” he said. “We need to protect their ability to access Conley Terminal.”

Ed Flynn, a candidate for City Council, said he’s concerned about any toxins that might be disrupted by the project.