T.F. Green Airport Improvement Program - FEIS Chapters - PVD

T.F. Green Airport Improvement ProgramEnvironmental Impact Statement and Final Section 4(f) EvaluationSignificant Impacts: Alternative B2 would result in a physical use (removal) of Hangar No. 1, a contributingelement of the eligible airport historic district. In addition to the removal of Hangar No. 1, Alternative B2 alsocalls for airside modifications that will further alter the overall historical configuration of the runways andtaxiways that are included as contributing elements to the eligible airport historic district resulting in a physicaluse of the district. The relocation of Airport Road would impact the setting and public view and access toHangar No. 2 and the Rhode Island State Airport Terminal resulting in a constructive use. City owned propertywith recreational areas within Winslow Park would be converted to aviation-related use resulting in a physicaluse of a public recreational resource.5.9.4.3 Alternative B4The following direct and indirect impacts may occur during the implementation of Alternative B4.Direct ImpactsHangar No. 1, a historical property eligible for listing in the NRHP, would be demolished to enhance safety,resulting in a Section 4(f) physical use of this resource and a use of the eligible airport historic district (becauseHangar No. 1 is a contributing element to the district). In addition, modifications and enhancements torunways and taxiways at the northern end of the airfield would further alter the historical configuration of theairfield.Alternative B4 would also impact the Rhode Island State Airport Terminal, a historical property listed in theNRHP. Alternative B4 would avoid the terminal building but would eliminate part of the front (landside) lawnof the historical property. This impact would result in a physical use due to the loss of landscaping and thehistorical entry to the terminal building and would change the terminal building’s setting. In addition, the newIntegrated Cargo building would be positioned between the terminal building and Partially Relocated AirportRoad, which would eliminate landside views of the terminal building from a public way (Airport Road).Under Alternative B4, there would be interior modifications to Hangar No. 2 to accommodate the uses of theintegrated cargo facility. These modifications would not alter the exterior appearance of Hangar No. 2 and,upon further consultation with the RISHPO, the FAA has determined that the proposed interior modificationswould not result in an adverse effect to Hangar No. 2.Alternative B4 would result in the physical use of 20.8 acres of Winslow Park that lie within the RPZ, including2.8 acres of the City-owned portion and 18 acres of the RIAC-owned portion, as identified on Figure 7-6. Theactively used parkland that would be directly impacted includes 10.6 acres of the RIAC-owned portion and 2.7acres of the City-owned portion resulting in total direct impacts of 13.3 acres (Figure 7-6). Under Alternative B4,improvements related to Realigned Main Avenue would directly impact the parking lot near the smalleducational softball fields on Bedford Avenue and the northwest section of the soccer fields. Under AlternativeB4, the recreational facilities that would be removed include all four full-sized softball fields, the clubhouse,most of the soccer field area, and one playground. The impacted recreational areas would be replaced underAlternative B4.Chapter 5 - Environmental Consequences 5-187 July 2011\\mawatr\ev\09228.00\reports\FEIS_Final_July_2011\PVD_CH05_Environmental_Cons_JUL_2011.doc