Boston University students and administrators joined state and city legislators at a public forum at the State House yesterday morning to debate the University’s proposal for a new $3 million sailing pavilion planned for the banks of the Charles River.
The proposal, brought by Sen. Robert Travaglini (D-Suffolk) to the state Legislature last year, has been the subject of heated debate, as numerous citizens and private groups, including the Charles River Watershed Association, have disputed the University’s alleged resistance to an environmental review.
About 150 people attended the hearing, including nearby collegiate sailing teams as well as community groups from Cambridge, Allston-Brighton, Kenmore and Beacon Hill.
Boston City Councilor Mike Ross (Fenway, Kenmore) urged legislators to reject the resolution, which he warned could set a dangerous precedent for future development projects in Massachusetts.
“The project is on land that’s near and dear to the people of the area,” Ross said. “While it could be a great project, we haven’t done all of the work we need to do for the environment.”
Despite objections to the proposal, BU spokesman Kevin Carleton, who attended the forum, said there was a consensus among the speakers to relocate the pavilion.
“[Opponents to the proposal] are not fighting the boathouse,” Carleton said. “They’re fighting the process, and we happen to be the organization going through the process at the time they’re deciding to take it on.”
Carleton said the University is adhering to the same process it followed in the construction of the DeWolfe Boathouse.
“We are following an established process,” Carleton said, “and it’s unreasonable to make arbitrary changes to that process in the middle of the project.”
The current location under the BU Bridge has visibility problems, Carleton said. The University is concerned for joggers, bicyclists and inline skaters maneuvering around the pavilion, who he said are at risk for accidents.
“Our boathouse is actually scary,” said Justin Evans, member of the sailing team and a freshman in the College of Engineering. “It’s so old, trashy and an embarrassment. The location is not safe for bikers because it is on a sharp corner. The coach has actually had to take bikers to the hospital.”
The proposed location for the pavilion, beside the Esplanade behind the BU Chancellor’s Office on Bay State Road, would feature concession and restroom facilities lacking on the current site.
“We’re a good team, and we compete against other great teams also,” said Dan Montoya, a member of the sailing team and freshman in the College of Arts and Sciences. “When teams come to compete, they have to run to the Burger King to use the bathroom, and there is no payphone nearby.
“The new pavilion will be safer for the Esplanade, with public telephones and the [Boston University Police Department], and for the river with a more visible thoroughfare.”
Several speakers expressed concern that private investment will conflict with the public’s interests.
Private investment in public land is a major problem, said Rep. Brian Golden (D-Suffolk), although he reminded the assembly some projects, such as the Science Museum, began that way.
“Development of public land will guarantee a great deal of strife,” Golden said.
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