North Street Vent Building Construction to Begin

After numerous years of planning and several community meetings, MassDOT and the selected contractor, unveiled the final plans for the $5.5 million dollar rehabilitation of the North Street state owned Vent Building.

At the third and final community meeting held in the Nazzaro Community Center last week, the contractor G.V.W. Incorporated of East Boston, representatives Myles Blain project manager and Mike Finnegan superintendent described the project’s scope from start to finish.

MassDOT municipal liaison John Romano explained the need to repair the structure that has deteriorated since it was constructed in the 1950s.

“The project which will start in mid April will take about a year to complete,” Romano said. “Construction will take place in four phases with each side of the building taking approximately three months each to complete,” he added.

Work will take place Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 4pm.

The back side of the building construction will run April through June. The side facing North Street will be done July through September. The side facing the playground will take place October through December and the side over the tunnel entrance will be done December through February (2014).

Staging will be placed first, followed by hazmat material removal, removing the outside and inside concrete walls will follow and the final construction will include the placement of the new facade.

All environmental and safety issues are in place and will be monitored according to the contractor. A rodent control plan is also in place.

The project will be fully incased decreasing noise and dust. The contractor will use a water hose to control the dust.

Reportedly, the only time the street will be closed is when a crane needs to be moved on and off the site.

Only five parking spaces will be taken in front of the Vent Building each day from 7:30am to 4pm. The spaces will be open to residential parking from 4pm to 7:30am.

Hazmat material will be removed by hand and carried to onsite dumpsters before being taken away to an appropriate site. All dumpsters onsite will be closed.

The contractor will place a sign on the building with a phone number for residents or businessmen to call in case of any problems.

The playground equipment will be removed during construction and the playground will remain closed during construction.

At the completion of the project, the playground equipment will be reinstalled and the playground will be open to the public.

While the same tot lot equipment will be replaced, the contractor committed to place a new bench on the site.