The new plans for General Electric’s Fort Point headquarters has been approved by the Boston Planning and Development Agency this week. the three building complex is expected to be completed in 2018. As part of the package to lure the Fortune 500 company to Boston, a helipad was included. One of the neighborhoods being tossed around for the helipad is South Boston. City Councilor At Large and Southie resident Michael Flaherty has sponsored a hearing hosted by the Boston City Council’s Committee on Parks, Recreation and Transportation. Public safety, noise, air pollution will be some of the topics discussed at the his public meeting. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 16th at 6pm at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. City Councilor Michelle Wu is the chair of the hearing.
See press release below:
The Boston City Council’s Committee on Parks, Recreation and Transportation has scheduled a hearing to discuss plans for a commercial helipad in Boston. The hearing, sponsored by City Councilor At-Large Michael F. Flaherty, will take place at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 6:00pm.
The hearing comes in response to the latest ongoing discussions between the business community and government officials regarding the construction of a helipad. Further, state and local officials have been actively identifying potential locations for the helipad without public input. The hearing provides an opportunity for those involved in the decision-making process to be transparent about a resurrected project that has been met with objection in the past. “In 2008, I stood with neighbors who strongly opposed the development of a helipad that would offer a convenience to corporate executives at the expense of taxpayers’ quality of life,” said Councilor Flaherty. “We once again find ourselves in this dilemma that has yet to address critical issues such as public safety, noise, air pollution and other concerns relative to opening the city to an influx of helicopters.”
City Council President Michelle Wu, who will chair the hearing, added, “This is an opportunity for Councilors and residents to learn about any proposals for a commercial helipad and discuss potential impacts on surrounding communities and the city as a whole. Any plans must complement and not threaten the community-driven, long-planned development of Fort Point and the Seaport as a residential neighborhood with civic amenities.”
The Boston City Council’s Committee on Parks, Recreation and Transportation encourages community members to attend the public hearing that will engage officials from the City of Boston, Boston Planning and Development Agency (formerly the Boston Redevelopment Authority), Massachusetts Department of Transportation and other interested parties. If you are not able to attend the hearing but would like to provide testimony, please send your comments [email protected].
I can see the rationale for building a helipad atop the South Station Bus Terminal, or adjacent to Marine Industrial Park (on the harbor, not on the Reserve Channel).
Rumor has it they’re eyeing space at P & G to locate the Helipad.
GE Should build whatever they want to for a helipad. We are so lucky that a world class company chose Southie as its HQ. Don’t let the wackos in the art district deter the sane people of Southie.
GE’s presence in our community is an economic boosts beyond expectations.
Stephen Lynch, Marty Walsh & Charlie Baker all working together for a non partisan economic event that benefits the city and the commonwealth.
Next to Michael Norton’s Starbucks this is a big deal for Southie !