Now that the Suffolk Downs development is on hold (”High hurdle for new housing,” Page A1, July 7), perhaps political leaders and environmental advocacy organizations can begin a rapid rethink. East Boston, Revere, Chelsea, and Winthrop (all environmental justice communities) are four of the densest residential areas of the Commonwealth. Logan Airport generates countless vehicular trips annually and spews tons of pollution via its ground and aircraft operations.
McClellan Highway, which will be the primary roadway used by future activity from the Suffolk Downs development, is congested from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Sumner/Callahan and Ted Williams tunnels are congested for good parts of the day. When Suffolk Downs was proceeding through the review process, then-Governor Charlie Baker refused to support the building of the Blue Line-Red Line connector, which would have improved the attractiveness of the Blue Line. Building 10,000 housing units at Suffolk Downs would probably be a neighborhood more populated than Winthrop. It’s certain that congestion and the environment would significantly worsen.
Recent climate analysis points to more important disastrous possibilities. As Boston Harbor suffers from rising seas, worsening storm surge, and tropical rainfall patterns, Belle Isle Marsh, a neighbor to Suffolk Downs, is threatened. Belle Isle is a critical natural resource, home to more than 240 species of birds (not to mention other wildlife and vegetation), and a natural buffer to storm flooding waters. The marsh could be condemned if not allowed to grow its footprint toward Suffolk Downs. Suffolk Downs is also threatened by rising seas and storm surge from the southern end of Revere Beach. The Globe has previously made these threats easy to understand via its animation of climate threats by the coming decades.
Yes, we certainly need more housing in the region, but perhaps we need to be cognizant of context.
The Suffolk Downs site could pivot into becoming part of a greenbelt around Logan. Give us fresh air and open space. Let’s reconnect previously connected natural systems such as Belle Isle Marsh, Sales Creek, and Chelsea Creek. Let’s think about utilizing portions of Suffolk Downs to play a clear and strengthened climate role. Let’s be bold and perhaps we can create a regional below-ground flood water reservoir that gets pumped out when storms and tides recede.
We live in more threatened times than ever. We have a new governor — Maura Healey; new mayors — Michelle Wu and Patrick Keefe Jr.; a new Citizens Climate Committee in Winthrop; and key organizations in Chelsea such as GreenRoots. Major nonprofits can help. The Trustees of Reservations just announced that after raising $30 million they are looking to find a site in the East Boston area to make a climate friendly impact. The Nature Conservancy has been active at Belle Isle and they have a national reputation for buying and restoring critical regional landholdings. Make sure Suffolk Downs developer Tom O’Brien is deeply involved because he’s proven to be a thoughtful leader and he shouldn’t be asked to bear the financial impact of a plan that could preserve our communities and improve the environment.
We can reconsider previous decisions as the facts change and be led with an entrepreneurial spirit that brings great outcomes. Who’s going to step up and lead?
Joseph Aiello
Winthrop
The writer is a member of Winthrop Town Council.
