Airport hosts outreach sessions

Workshops focus on neighborhood impact

Tim Forsberg
Posted 1/15/15

By TIM FORSBERG

In an effort to keep neighbors updated on the T.F. Green Airport Improvement Program and possible impacts the development plans may have on residents, the Rhode Island Airport …

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Airport hosts outreach sessions

Workshops focus on neighborhood impact

Posted

By TIM FORSBERG

In an effort to keep neighbors updated on the T.F. Green Airport Improvement Program and possible impacts the development plans may have on residents, the Rhode Island Airport Corp. (RIAC) hosted two informational neighborhood outreach sessions Wednesday.

Focusing on how the project will transform neighborhoods while keeping an open door to answer questions and concerns of those who live nearby, RIAC staff set up multiple workshop stations at the airport to address nearly every expected outcome that could affect nearby properties.

In late December, more than 200 homes located around the Main Avenue neighborhoods near T.F. Green received a letter informing them of the planned question-and-answer sessions. RIAC also had an online campaign, as well as notices placed in this publication, to get the word out to residents. 

“We definitely targeted the neighbors who will be most impacted, and we’d like to keep an open dialogue with them,” said RIAC Community Affairs Manager Rebecca Pazienza Bromberg. “We’re really trying to work with our neighbors in letting them know what they are going to see and what they’ll hear, and how developments could impact their homes and path of travel.”

Arriving attendees spoke with members of the RIAC team, found where they live on a map, and were then given an overview of planned projects in their area. Guests were then asked questions to determine what their concerns were, such as construction, sound insulation, land acquisition or specific concerns about the relocation of Winslow Park. They then visited different workshop rooms to address those concerns.

“I think this is fantastic. Events like today are exactly what the airport needs to do,” said Bob Siris, a civil engineer with the Federal Aviation Administration. “There’s a lot of people who have heard about the environmental process throughout the years, and there were a lot of public meetings and discussion of plans. By the time we’re through that process, it takes a long time before you get to the construction phase, and sometimes people forget what’s planned. This event reminds everyone that this is really going to happen, and it gives neighbors one more chance to get their question answered.”

Residents concerned with possible landscaping and tree removal were taken to a session hosted by RIAC’s manager of engineering, Ahmed Shihadeh, who alleviated the fears of some who thought their trees would be cut beginning in February. 

“Our first phase of the project is to cut trees that penetrate the areas planes could potentially fly through. All trees that are too high will be cut, anything small will stay,” he said. “We aren’t going to clear-cut these areas, just selective trees that are obstructions. All the trees to be removed are on state property. We’re not cutting anything on property not owned by the airport … we are acquiring additional properties through other programs, [and] as those properties are obtained, if there are obstructions they will be removed.”

Noise pollution – a common complaint of those living directly near flight paths – was addressed in another room by Andrew Walter of the Jones Payne Group and Bob Polito of the W.D. Schock Co. Both assist with airport noise mitigation and planning noise reduction for resident’s homes.

They’ve been making recommendations to homeowners for new windows, doors, full air-conditioning systems, and insulating walls and attics. Typical costs for such projects run between $25 to $50 thousand dollars per home, depending on the building type and location. Nearly 1,500 homes have already been worked on through the years, with a completion goal by 2019.

“We’re talking with homeowners about noise insulation, an alternative for those who don’t qualify for home acquisition,” said Walter, who has worked in the industry for 30 years. “We have approximately 550 homes that have been invited to participate. We help them with all aspects, and consult with them to provide the best possible solution to reduce noise.”

Along with noise, the new route of Main Avenue was explored in depth. Construction timeframes, travel patterns and potential inconveniences were addressed for attendees.

“We’re talking with neighbors about the Main Avenue relocation, what’s associated with the realignment of that road, and also the sequencing of when that construction will happen, which is estimated to start in June or July of this year,” said RIAC project manager Marc Champigny.

One of the most visited rooms during the sessions was the land acquisition workshop. Here, residents explored whether their properties would qualify for possible purchase by RIAC. For some, the answers they received were most welcome.

“I just retired, and I’ve lived by the airport my entire life, so I realize the noise is going to get worse with the expansion” said Robert Reed, who has lived on Greeley Avenue for 26 years and is part of a volunteer buyout. “We’re looking for something quieter with more space, so this is an awesome opportunity to get us to move. We have decided that we would like to leave the city, and I look at this as divine intervention where everything is falling into place.”

“We’re anxious to move and relocate,” said Robert’s wife, Cheryl. “But I am excited to see what happens.”

Feedback from the day’s event was largely positive, although some RIAC members did receive pushback about the expansion project.

“The only issue I have is the leaves and snow that plow in from the airport. I wish the city would put up a six-foot fence to stop it,” Warwick resident Laurie Stanton said. “I feel better because I just spent $4,800 to upgrade the electrical system in my house, and if they acquired the house I would have lost that.”

“I thought today was very informative. We had no idea what was going on,” Mike Roy said. “We can do whatever maintenance we want on our home now. We need a new driveway, and we held off putting it in. This has been going on for years, but now we know what will happen.”

Looking ahead, members of RIAC believe a transparent approach will help alleviate residents’ fears. As plans and construction continue, they hope to keep the public informed through web updates, news reports and addressing feedback.

“Every step of the process, even though the public might not hear or see what we’re doing, we’re being mindful that we’re working in our neighbors backyards,” Pazienza Bromberg said. “With some of the contract documents and requirements we have, such as having quieter machinery, not doing work before 7 a.m., or if there will be night work or lane closures, we’ll go out and let people know ahead of time so they can plan ahead accordingly.”

For additional information and updates throughout the airport expansion program, call RIAC at 401-691-2707 or by email at construction@pvdairport.com.

Comments

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  • RichardLangseth

    I wonder why RIAC officials think that only the "local residents" those living next to the airport are interested in the details about Main Avenue construction? Maybe they should widen the announcements for these meetings and bring in RIDOT - the organization that will actually oversee this highway construction project.

    Thursday, January 15, 2015 Report this

  • TheDeal

    Why is it that the Beacon never provides these maps in a form viewable either online or the print addition. A photo of someone standing infront of these maps is completely useless to anyone curious to have seen them but unable to attend. It really shouldn't be too hard to provide them in a expandable link.

    Tuesday, January 20, 2015 Report this

  • francO18

    The Deal...Do not ever expect any drawings for any kind of project that has turned into Cash Cows for committees,boards,re- planning , re- assessments and general B S that can delay a project to such a maddening one as this Airport fiasco.

    Bruces' Airport...ha ha thanks Pal...Yeah I was one of those kids who picked strawberries on Strawberry Field Road...and saw the one accident that it had in many ,many, years.

    I had the privilege of working with,and for , the best Engineering firms R I has to offer.And the common procedure was to provide adjoining owners an opportunity to express their views about the impact these cash cows had on it's Citizens and Taxpayers..you know the Locals.

    Fenton "Lefty" Keyes had a System called C P M..Critical Path Method...which was followed by On Time delivery and cost estimates, that were hard for anyone to fudge.Union workers though much maligned always had to comply with materials and workmanship..One really could dazzle the administrators with these.. "Change Orders"..anyone involved with Engineering for 30 years or more would have a darn good idea what I am referring to.

    In the meantime the oil from the Jets keeps dropping on the roofs...and are the kiddies having hearing problems..lets throw more money at the problem...How about Quonset...Its not to late folks..Did we not already work on Right of Ways,Easements,Bridge and Highway clearances ,Deeds..etc etc....Containers,rails.... That could be a great "cash cow "problem........Just do it

    Saturday, February 14, 2015 Report this