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davis_squareA quick report on my take about this meeting. I will try not to editorialize, but just report on the content. Anyone else who attended should feel free to add further detail, correct my perceptions, or discuss further. Full version below the cut.
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Meeting was hosted by the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) and the Tufts Institute of the Environment offered the space and had representatives there as well.
EK Khalsa, executive director of MyRWA, introduced the meeting and described that MyRWA has been in conversation with the Wynn team for quite some time now. He noted that their organization has received support from Wynn, which I assume means donations.
Speakers from the Wynn team included Bob DiSalvio of Wynn, and Jamie Fay of Fort Point Associates. DiSalvio spoke mostly about the support and enthusiasm of the Wynn organizations. Fay spoke mostly about the site details. I will focus now on the site details as presented, which were the crux of the meeting.
First, it's important to know that the site was historically abused. Although it was the site of the Union Oyster House's oyster flats at one time, and oysters thrived there, that changed. It was owned by 4 chemical companies since 1868. In addition, during the Deer Island tunneling, 1-7 feet of "tunnel muck" were dumped on this site. Heavy metals are definitely present and leeching, and the adjacent water was tested and is a "biological desert".
Of the 33 acres, there are 2 different types of remediation that need to occur. In 3 places there are "severe" hotspots that need to be picked up and carted away. These have arsenic and lead. Much of the rest needs to be cemented to permanently "entomb" (that's really the term) the contaminated soil that remains. The cost of this is estimated to be $30million, with no taxpayer or public funds used in this effort.
The next portion moved on to the vision for the site. This included a "Winter Garden", a year-round greenhouse that resembled a Victorian Kew conservatory. And it included the external site features that include an esplanade, picnic park, continuous paths for biking and pedestrians, etc, including a "Gateway Park connector" from over by Target. And it also includes support for water activities.
Environmental benefits include LEED Gold construction (at least), and their plans account for future sea level rise. They will incorporate renewable energy: 20% cogen, 3% PV, 7% green power purchases. They will optimize building performance. Include a green roof. Reduce water usage. Harvest rainwater. They want to create "living shoreline", restore some salt marsh.
Transportation demand management came up, but few details on this. These things included the water taxi and harbor ferry concepts.
They referenced many local efforts such as DCR plans, Mystic River reports, Everett harbor vision plans, and so on. They say they are aware of these and are trying to integrate with them.
Questions from attendees included:
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I also saw MyRWA tweet an article about this from the mainstream press, if I see more I'll edit this to add them:
http://www.macon.com/2014/10/28/3388329/wynn-discussing-pollution-cleanup.html
MyRWA's write up: http://mysticriver.org/wynn-resorts-presentation/
+++++++++++
Meeting was hosted by the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) and the Tufts Institute of the Environment offered the space and had representatives there as well.
EK Khalsa, executive director of MyRWA, introduced the meeting and described that MyRWA has been in conversation with the Wynn team for quite some time now. He noted that their organization has received support from Wynn, which I assume means donations.
Speakers from the Wynn team included Bob DiSalvio of Wynn, and Jamie Fay of Fort Point Associates. DiSalvio spoke mostly about the support and enthusiasm of the Wynn organizations. Fay spoke mostly about the site details. I will focus now on the site details as presented, which were the crux of the meeting.
First, it's important to know that the site was historically abused. Although it was the site of the Union Oyster House's oyster flats at one time, and oysters thrived there, that changed. It was owned by 4 chemical companies since 1868. In addition, during the Deer Island tunneling, 1-7 feet of "tunnel muck" were dumped on this site. Heavy metals are definitely present and leeching, and the adjacent water was tested and is a "biological desert".
Of the 33 acres, there are 2 different types of remediation that need to occur. In 3 places there are "severe" hotspots that need to be picked up and carted away. These have arsenic and lead. Much of the rest needs to be cemented to permanently "entomb" (that's really the term) the contaminated soil that remains. The cost of this is estimated to be $30million, with no taxpayer or public funds used in this effort.
The next portion moved on to the vision for the site. This included a "Winter Garden", a year-round greenhouse that resembled a Victorian Kew conservatory. And it included the external site features that include an esplanade, picnic park, continuous paths for biking and pedestrians, etc, including a "Gateway Park connector" from over by Target. And it also includes support for water activities.
Environmental benefits include LEED Gold construction (at least), and their plans account for future sea level rise. They will incorporate renewable energy: 20% cogen, 3% PV, 7% green power purchases. They will optimize building performance. Include a green roof. Reduce water usage. Harvest rainwater. They want to create "living shoreline", restore some salt marsh.
Transportation demand management came up, but few details on this. These things included the water taxi and harbor ferry concepts.
They referenced many local efforts such as DCR plans, Mystic River reports, Everett harbor vision plans, and so on. They say they are aware of these and are trying to integrate with them.
Questions from attendees included:
- Concerns about soil removal--where does it go? Fay noted that this is a highly regulated process and it will all be managed to fully meet legal requirements.
- Could a storm surge during remediation be a problem? Fay answered that there was not a specific plan for this, but that with notice of incoming storms the site could be protected.
- Are porous surfaces and native plants included in designs? The drainage thing is actually a problem because of the entombment, but they are going to collect rainfall, have bioswales, etc. And definitely they will use native plants.
- Someone wanted to know: if this site is such a mess, why do you want it? Laughter ensued, but the Wynn organization sees great opportunity and the city of Everett wants to do better with their waterfront. They feel it offers more opportunities than challenges.
- Question asked about bike and watercraft access from across and up the river. They support this and are very interested in it, but challenges include the Earhart Dam operation and they are not permitted to interfere with that. But they say they are trying to work with MBTA, Somerville, DCR, and so on.
- Can we have oyster beds again? The team was really excited about this, but apparently Fish & Wildlife won't let them. They fear people will attempt to eat the oysters. Wynn team promised high security, but F&W says no.
- Does this include efforts to clean up the Malden River? Wynn team supports those community efforts, but their scope is as part of the lower Mystic and Boston Harbor tidal zone.
- What if contamination was more severe than expected? Wynn team says they are committed fully, no matter. They are aware it is a risk, and continue testing now, but promise they will stick with it.
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I also saw MyRWA tweet an article about this from the mainstream press, if I see more I'll edit this to add them:
http://www.macon.com/2014/10/28/3388329/wynn-discussing-pollution-cleanup.html
MyRWA's write up: http://mysticriver.org/wynn-resorts-presentation/
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no subject
Date: 2014-10-29 07:19 pm (UTC)It would make sense to me to send some of those ferries directly across the river to Draw Seven Park and Assembly Row, but they didn't mention that at all.
no subject
Date: 2014-10-30 02:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-30 12:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-30 12:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-10-30 02:12 pm (UTC)I have to say I am not a fan of casinos, but part of me thinks that this site should either be nuked off the planet or turned into something that's not a school, playground, or a grocery store, that's for sure. And I think it would be unlikely to get tackled by anyone else if this doesn't proceed.
So I am not a casino supporter, but if we are getting it, I wanted to be able to hear what they had to say so we can hold them to it. And to be among the community that presses them to behave.
no subject
Date: 2014-10-30 02:53 pm (UTC)