They said "Trust Us"

Over and over again we asked during last year's review of Harvard's Science Complex project what would be done to minimize the impact that the construction would have on our community. While nobody was trying to stop the construction, we did want it to be done in a concientious and respectful way. And we were basically told "Don't worry". Here are excerpts from a few Task Force meetings:

Commissioner Tinlin– When you anticipate there being a problem, you fix it. You’ve shown me where the problems are and what your concerns are, but then it’s up to me to fix it. Leave it to me to worry about the resources. If we need more resources, then we’ll have that discussion at a future time. We do this all the time in other areas of the city. I understand that this is real and new to you because you’re dealing with this, but trust me, we know how to deal with this. (I promised I’d never say "trust me" in public meetings – so, I guess "give me the chance to mess it up".)

Commissioner Tinlin: The construction management plan is overseen by BTD. BTD discusses it with the proponents. The developer has to develop a plan through this process and come up with a solution that provides the least amount of impact to the area affected. The construction management plan is not a formal filing. The public can comment and challenge the plan at forums like this community meeting. BTD’s charge is to keep impacts to a minimum. The construction management plan will also be monitored throughout the project. The City can shut down a project at any time if necessary.

Bryan Glascock, Director, City of Boston Environment Department, then discussed the regulation of work hours. Regulations stipulate that construction hours are Monday-Friday from 7am – 6 pm. There is a process for requesting a variance from these hours. If the neighbors agree that they would rather the project be done quicker, then it is possible to extend the hours and/or days that construction is allowed to take place. Bryan explained that heavy construction tends to be much more noisy (such as driving piles, pouring concrete, etc), but there is also quiet construction work that can take place without any neighborhood impact (such as hanging drywall, installing finishes, etc.). The variance for construction hours is granted by the Building Commissioner, but he would want to know from the neighborhood if this would be beneficial. A notice would go out in advance to all neighbors and it would be coordinated with the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services.

But what do we get once contstruction starts?

Harvard goes behind the community's back to get permission to continue construction work until 10:00 PM. The City lets Harvard do this with no public process. Ooops! Sorry!

Read more about it at A/B North Neighbors Forum group