A University of Massachusetts Building Authority project hit a bump in the road last week, as two of three permitting requests it sought before a City Hall board were tabled after objections from Columbia Point abutters. UMass officials emphasize that the utility and street repair projects under review are unrelated to the broader plans to build a first-ever dormitory on its Dorchester campus.

The UMBA went before the City of Boston’s Public Improvement Commission last Thursday to seek approval to relocate and upgrade utility lines, roadways and sidewalks near the terminus of Mt. Vernon Street on the UMass Boston campus. But, after hearing testimony, the city board sided with abutters, telling the university authority to come on Oct. 22 to seek the necessary permits.

“We haven’t been given an opportunity to review any of these plans,” said John Mostyn, legal counsel for Corcoran Jennison, at the hearing. The company owns and manages the Harbor Point residential community and the Peninsula Apartments, both of which house large numbers of UMass students. The company also owns the Bayside office building at 150 Mt. Vernon St. and the adjacent Doubletree Hotel.

Mostyn said the company had been in discussion with the university about their plans for about three years, but was not properly notified of the Thursday hearing at City Hall.

Members of the Residents Council at Harbor Point also said they did not know about the hearing and asked for time to review the plans.
UMass Boston is pursuing the construction of a 1,000-bed residence hall, to be built off Mt. Vernon Street. According to the UMBA, the authority is negotiating with one of seven developers who responded to a request for proposals issued earlier this year. Patricia Filipone, executive director of the UMass Building Authority, said the dormitory is expected to open for the fall of 2018. Freshmen and transfer students will likely fill the residence hall.

Edward M. Lambert, Jr., vice chancellor for government relations and public affairs for UMass Boston, said the utility plan has been discussed at length with abutters in past meetings.

“We certainly have no problem sharing information,” said Lambert.

A spokeswoman for the UMass Building Authority said all previously requested changes had been made to the plan, and “if we have to delay for two weeks, we are fighting winter conditions. We are trying to get these utilities in the ground.”