Linda,
Would you forward these questions to the petitioner of the Riverside
project?
Thanks,
Susan

Regarding the Design and open space:

1. During the presentation it was said "there is office space over the
retail"  is that correct?    If not, what is above the retail?
2.  If you are a visitor from Newton wanting to use the play area -
fountain area - where would you park?
3.  What amenities are there in the office building for other than office
space - are there any amenities?  day care space?  food place? etc?
4. It was said that the community space will be donated to the city. It is
my understanding that the city does not want this space - nor should it
manage such a space in my opinion.   Why can't the developer keep the space
and lease it?   Why is it now only 8000 sq feet?  Anything in particular
planned to be put into this space?
5. How big is  the dog run?
6. How big is the community garden
7.  There were several areas pointed out as indoor space for bikers - what
if a family biked to the site from somewhere in Newton - where would those
bikes be placed?
8.  How do pedestrians get into the site from across grove st. -  only at
the light?

Stormwater
9. Any plans to reuse rainwater runoff from the building?n If not, why not?
10.  Any plans for a green roof on the retail building? If not, why not
11. I understand that the petitioner will underground wires on grove st -
so this is only a question if this is not the case.

Traffic
12.  The roundabouts don't look like a safe space for pedestrians - what
about a pedestrian bridge? After all this is not your typical roundabout on
a suburban street - it is all that stands between 128 exit ramp traffic and
grove st.
13.  Many people from surrounding residential streets spoke about the
impact of the traffic on them  particularly near the exit from 128 and the
roundabouts.  What protections are recommended for these streets?
14.  It seems to me that logically there will be a backup at rush hour on
the ramp leading to the round about and on grove st leading to the
roundabout.   What further information can be provided to assure that this
won't happen.  Does the petitioner have an example of another
roundabout(s) used in a similar manner - at the end of an exit ramp of a
highway - to point to as an example of  a well designed system?
15.  Describe the screening at the roundabout mentioned at the meeting

Cost
16. Please provide assumptions on which the cost and revenue of the project
were based - cost of city services?  number of students projected?


Other things that came up later
17. Please provide more information about the interaction of the traffic
patterns on grove st including the Hotel indigo and the riverside station.
18. Where will current cars parked to use the T  go during construction?
19. How firm are we that B2 will be the final plan?  when will we know?
20. Design of the building(s) - The office building in particular - is
pretty much a box -  I don't know what more to say about that except to say
I wish the building was more interesting.
21.  What are the  shadow lines created by the office building and
residential building and what impact does this have on surrounding
residential areas?




-- 
Susan Albright
Alderman-at-Large
Ward 2