Global Partners rally on Sept. 16, one day after Global Partners filed a lawsuit asking to block Applegreen's 35-year contract with MassDOTPhoto: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Ireland-based company Applegreen has pulled out of deal with MassDOT to renovate and run 18 highway service plazas in Massachusetts.
Applegreen originally won a bid against local company Global Partners for a lease on 18 highway service plazas owned by MassDOT.
According to Applegreen's website, they planned to invest $750 million into the project.
Many Massachusetts residents think these plazas need the update and have complaints about their current condition.
One resident referenced the bathrooms, and said they were "horrible," and "nasty." Another resident said the inside was "scarce, a lot of empty space," and not well utilized.
In a statement to CBS News Boston, Applegreen said they were unable to reach an agreement with MassDOT.
"After three months of good faith negotiations, Applegreen and MassDOT have not reached agreement on definitive terms for the redevelopment of 18 motorway service areas in Massachusetts," Applegreen said.
Applegreen also cited legal costs as a contributing factor to their termination of their lease discussions with MassDOT, due to Global Partners challenging MassDOT's decision in court.
After losing the bid, Global Partners filed a lawsuit against MassDOT on Sept. 15, asking a Suffolk Superior Court judge to block the 35-year contract with Applegreen.
Employees of Global Partners demonstrated outside the Menino Convention Center on Sept. 16, demanding MassDOT hold a rebid for the leases.
Read more: Global Partners Demands Rebid On MassDOT Highway Service Plaza Lease.
"These commercial realities have been coupled with costly and continued litigation threats from an opposing bidder that have jeopardized the project's timeline and financing," Applegreen said.
In a statement to CBS News Boston, Eric Slifka, CEO and President of Global Partners said, "Applegreen's decision to walk away underscores the very concerns raised for months: their proposal was never financially sound and never in the best interests of the Commonwealth."
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chris Fama (@CFamaWBZ) reports.