10/28/98
Convention Center Update - 30 Day Public Comment Period Expires November 24th
On October 15th, the BRA submitted a final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the plans of the Boston Convention Center. This report attempts to address the impact of the Convention Center on the site, the neighboring communities, traffic and the environment. The document also addresses concerns thate were noted by citizens, community groups and other organizations during the first phase of the review process earlier this year.Comments received during the first phase of the review caused significant changes to the original Convention Center plan, for example - sewage and pollution improvements, increased focus on traffic flow, pedestrian activity and much more.
If you would like a copy of the Final EIR report, call or write:
Patrick Noonan Boston Redevelopment Authority One City Hall Square Boston, MA 02201 617-918-4427 617-742-7783Ask for a copy of the Convention Center EIR and Appendix. The document and appendix are very large and costly, so - for environmental considerations - please only request a copy if you are committed to reading it.
Copies of the EIR and other materials related to the construction of the Boston Convention Center have been placed for public review at the South Boston branches of the Boston Public Library located on East Broadway, Washington Village (Old Colony Housing Development) and the Condon Community Center.
Convention Center requests for proposals (RFP's) are posted at www.jbhynes.com.
It is not necessary for you to have a copy of the Final EIR in order to send your comments regarding impact of the Convention Center.
EXPLANATION OF TERMS: With the submission of the Environmental Impact Report by a developer (in this case by the BRA and Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA)) to the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA), we now enter a review of the plan according to the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Act (MEPA). So, this phase is called the "MEPA process."
On December 1, Trudy Coxe, Secretary of Environmental Affairs, will make a decision on the final EIR. Although Ms. Coxe is expected to sign off on the BRA impact report, public comments are extremely useful at this point because A) comments must be addressed during the next phase of the process (called Article 80 review) and B) it is important to record public comments in the record for future reference and for evaluation of the responsiveness of the Environmental Affairs Office to your concerns.
Public comments are due no later than November 24.
- Mail your letter to:
Trudy Coxe, Secretary of Environmental Affairs Executive Office of Environmental Affairs Attention: MEPA Unit Laura Rome, EOEA #11575 100 Cambridge St. 20th Floor Boston, MA 02202