It appears that, at long last, the gaping hole in Boston’s Downtown Crossing left by the demolition of the Filene’s building in 2008 may finally be filled with a new development.  According to City of Boston officials, real estate developer Millenium Partners will take control of the Filene’s property and build a tower with retail, office and residential components.

The property’s current owner, Vornado Realty Trust of New York, drew the ire of Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino and members of the Boston City Council after it stopped construction on the site more than three years ago, claiming that the economic downturn made it impossible to get financing for the project.  Since then, the City has made several attempts to get the project moving, first threatening to take the site by eminent domain and later revoking the project’s zoning permits.  Filling in the gap with a major new development would be a significant step toward the City’s often elusive goal of revitalizing Downtown Crossing.

Millenium is expected to file a revised development plan with the Boston Redevelopment Authority within the next 60 days.