Suffolk chops Roxbury helipad request

Suffolk Construction abruptly shelved its proposal to place a helipad next to its Roxbury headquarters, surprising critics and supporters alike just days before the company was slated to make its case to the city.

Company officials did not say why they decided to “indefinitely” postpone the plan to build a pad on a Kemble Street parking lot.

But, according to city officials, it came after a planned community meeting was canceled because it was expected to draw a “sizable amount of interest,” to the point organizers were concerned the meeting space at Suffolk’s headquarters could not handle the influx of people.

Suffolk was scheduled to go before the Zoning Board of Appeals on Tuesday.

A Suffolk spokesman said it was the decision of John Fish, the city power broker and company CEO, “not to pursue the helipad at this time” and that the move was made after “thoughtful consideration.”

Nicole Caravella, spokeswoman for Mayor Martin J. Walsh, said yesterday that “should Suffolk decide to pursue their helipad, (the city’s Office of Neighborhood Services) will assist in facilitating a public dialogue between Suffolk and their neighbors.”

Sue Sullivan, executive director of the Newmarket Business Association, said her association backed the proposal and didn’t find any opposition among abutters she spoke to, making the decision a bit of a surprise.

“I know there was a fair amount of community interest,” she said.

Steve Fox of the South End Forum, said residents were concerned about any extra air traffic and noise the helipad could bring, but said he also had yet to hear specifics, including on flight paths. “We just wanted some of those basic questions answered,” Fox said.