Another hearing was held this week regarding the public helipad potentially landing in our neighborhood. The helipad was proposed as part of the package to lure General Electric to Boston. The plans for General Electric’s Fort Point headquarters was approved by the Boston Planning and Development Agency last year. The three building complex is expected to be completed in 2018. One of the proposed sites of the helipad is off of a dock at Raymond Flynn Marine Industrial Park along the waterfront.
On Monday, at the Seaport World Trade Center a community hearing took place and of course like any Southie meeting, it didn’t disappoint. One of the biggest concerns is noise pollution. South Boston Waterfront Businesses like Legal Sea Foods and the Blue Hills Pavilion are worried about the noise affecting their customers and it’s a big concern of many residents too.
According to the Boston Herald, City Councilor At-Large Michael Flaherty has concerns about the location too but feels optimistic about finding an appropriate location. City Councilor Tito Jackson – who is running for mayor – believes that tax payers should not be footing the bill – a bill that could reach nearly $12 million. Yikes!
How do you feel about the helipad? A second hearing will be held February 6th from 2pm-4pm in Room 428 of the State House.
At some point an American city is going to have to say no to GE. It might as well be Boston. Drawing the line at paying for a heliport seems like a no-brainer to me. If we are ever going to get corporations to pay their fair share this is the fight most likely to be supported by Boston residents and throughout the Commonwealth. If you haven’t started to do so yet, please consider making the rounds of Boston’s ward committees and neighborhood associations. Thank you for the opportunity to make this comment in a Southie paper. I live in the Back Bay.