|
Documents: LettersBGwT comment letter to BRA re: Two Financial Center |
 |
|
|
March 28, 2005 Mr. Nick Haney
Subject: Two Financial Center Dear Mr. Haney: Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the Notice of Project Change regarding Two Financial Center. The Boston Groundwater Trust was established by the Boston City Council to monitor groundwater levels in the sections of the City in which wood piling foundations are threatened by reductions in groundwater levels and to make recommendations for solving the problem. As such, our comments are limited to groundwater related issues. The project is located on the edge of the original colonial shoreline, adjacent to an area in which it is likely that many buildings were constructed on wood pilings. In fact, as noted on page 12 of the Notice, there is already geotechnical equipment in place to monitor the impact on two nearby buildings. The projectÕs planned five level underground garage could, if constructed without taking into account the necessity to maintain adequate groundwater levels, cause a significant groundwater drawdown. I am pleased that, in discussion at the NPC review session, the proponent agreed to: monitor groundwater levels during construction and turn over wells after construction to make them part of the TrustÕs monitoring network; work with the Trust to determine what additional locations, if any, should have groundwater monitoring wells and to install wells as deemed necessary by the Trust; to design its garage so that groundwater will not leak in; and, after construction is complete, to annual certification by a registered professional engineer that no groundwater has been pumped or drained from the building during the preceding year. I believe that these conditions should be put in place as part of the regulatory approvals for the project to proceed. We look forward to working with the developer and with other government entities to assure that this project proceeds without causing any drawdown in groundwater levels in the surrounding area. Very truly yours, Elliott Laffer
Cc: John Walser, BRA |