ConCom Continues Public Hearing on Old Shaw’s Site

By Sue Ellen Woodcock

A civil engineer working with Gate Residential appeared before the Conservation Commission last Wednesday night to begin the public hearing process and explained the developers notice of intent and to get the project started.

In addition, Bob O’Brien, Director of Economic Development for the city, said the building at 205 Revere Beach Boulevard, the former Shaw’s site, will be demolished in February pending the ConCom approvals.

Gate Residential proposes to build a five-story, 132 key hotel and a six-story, 195 unit residential apartment building with parking for 298 vehicles. The development is situated along Sales Creek, a tidally influenced river, according to ConCom.

According to the notice of intent filed, the wetlands are considered an “Area of Critical Environmental Concern and an “Outstanding Resource Water” because they form part of the Rumney Marshes system, draining toward the Belle Isle Inlet and ultimately into Boston Harbor. Storm water runoff flows toward Sales Creek. Right now the creek is full of phragmites, making it inadequate for fish.

Developers and representatives from the Massachusetts Environmental Protection Agency (MEPA) also took a site walk of the six-acre project Friday afternoon.

As part of the developers mitigation measures, they plan using sediment barriers like hay bales that will catch any runoff before it enters the creek. Other improvements include storm water management to provide infiltration and water quality treatment of storm water runoff before it reaches the creek.

Developers said the project will result in improved water quality of the storm water reaching Sales Creek. Topsoil and native species plantings will be placed adjacent to the creek.

“We want to see robust landscaping in the area,” ConCom member James Cerbone said.

Members of the Conservation Commission voted to continue the public hearing to Feb. 1.

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