Reports: Executive Director’s Reports

February 27, 2008

  1. DCR - The DCR were to take bids this month on the interim repairs for the Storrow Drive Tunnel. We should have confirmation shortly on whether they will go ahead with the interim recharge system that will take the output of the west pumping station and recharge it through the galleries recently installed by BWSC in Back Street.
  2. MBTA - The T has scheduled a March 25 meeting to formally present the proposed long term solution to the low groundwater levels in the section of the South End near Back Bay Station to General Manager Dan Grabauskas. This should be the final step before selection of an engineering firm to proceed with final design of the project.
  3. BRA - I had an excellent meeting with John Palmieri, the new Director of the BRA, to bring him up to speed on groundwater issues. He promises to continue the BRA’s strong support on the issue.
  4. City Council - I met with new at-large Councilor John Connolly to brief him on groundwater issues. He promises to be supportive in any way that he can.
  5. GCOD - There continue to be a substantial number of projects coming before the Board of Appeals for GCOD permits. We are now starting to have a significant number of recharge systems installed throughout the district. The majority of these systems have been for projects in the South End and Back Bay.
  6. Legislation - Citywide GET has developed a later draft of their legislation since meeting with the Trust in November. Rep. Walz has asked me to advise her in considering it.
  7. Website - Our consultant is working on the upgrade that will allow access to the appropriate section of the map by entering an address. If all goes well, this should be up in the next week or two and will eliminate the need to zoom in on a location. Traffic remains at the lower level that has prevailed since the fall, but still averages 150-200 visits per day.
  8. 93 Massachusetts Avenue - I met with the development team on this project to discuss potential groundwater issues. They will be meeting all requirements, adding a source of recharge in the block between Commonwealth Avenue and Newbury Street.
  9. 350 Boylston Street - The IAG comments have been filed, and we are waiting to see the BRA’s scoping letter which will be issued next week. I expect that groundwater issues will be addressed in the way that we have requested.
  10. Comment Letters - I filed comments on projects at Turnpike Air Rights Parcel 7 and at 4-6 Newbury Street, all of which are posted on our website. I anticipate filing comments soon on projects at Turnpike Air Rights Parcel 24 in Chinatown and 49-51-63 Melcher Street in the Fort Point Channel section of South Boston.