Failed project shows Passero’s ineptness
On Oct. 23, a week after the big storm on Oct. 16-17 and the day after another heavy rainfall, I walked through Greens Harbor Beach Park on Pequot Avenue to assess the “completed” project. It was reported that Pequot Avenue flooded and was filled with debris after the storm, enough so that Public Works crews were out before dawn doing cleanup and street sweeping.
Mayor Passero had confidently stated at the City Council meeting on Oct. 21 that the project was completed and a success. I felt compelled to see for myself. As I walked around, I saw significant portions of the park that experienced extensive washout and erosion. The grounds were still soft and rutted.
A large man-made stone area was constructed near the end of the rough stone driveway near the Amtrak rail track. Its function is not known, but it certainly is an unattractive nuisance in a hazardous area within the park, near where children play. Perhaps more importantly, this stone area offers easy access to an unprotected pathway to the train tracks. There is no barrier of any type. And there are picnic tables on concrete slabs within feet of this stone area. Compounding this hazard is that the area appears to be the primary area for water runoff from above. The dirt, sand, and silt ran down the embankment unabated and created significant damage throughout the park, all the way to the sidewalk and street.
In addition to not alleviating the stormwater runoff problem, we now have a new and serious liability problem with children’s access to the train tracks. The project is currently $3.15 million over budget and has not achieved its goal. The three-month overruns to this project cost us nearly $1 million a month. And it’s a failure! Heavy rain will continue to washout and damage the park. The access to the train tracks is exceptionally problematic! Along Pequot Avenue, there are areas where the netting installed to hold back erosion is exposed.
The rough stone drive is not readily accessible for those with walking or mobility issues. This project was conceived in the dark with no opportunity to see the designs, estimated cost increases, and contract changes. There will be additional costs for physical damages to nearby property owners during and after construction. There was no communication with the residents and local businesses, resulting in a lost summer.
We were told the project is completed. I and many others strongly disagree. While Mayor Passero has pronounced success with this drainage/flooding problem, other drainage/flooding problems continue to cause issues in other parts of the city. Serious flooding continues to occur in the greater areas on Bank Street between Tilley Street and Columbus Circle, and Broad Street and Connecticut Avenue. Mayor Passero assured us that progress was being made in correcting the major problem on Bank Street, yet it flooded again. I do not have confidence that Mayor Passero can properly address these serious public works projects.
My lifelong experience in building and construction management will serve New London well in project oversight. If I am your mayor, you can be confident that I will visit jobsites before, during, and after to ensure jobs are being completed on time and on budget. I will follow the City Charter and City Code of Ordinances to meet purchasing, funding, and appropriation requirements that will promote competition, lower prices, provide transparency, and assure honesty. It’s time to break the cycle. Finally, for those who have driven over this new section of road on Pequot Avenue, is it me or have you noticed how bumpy and uneven the ride is?