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Money that's supposed to clean up Chelsea Creek just sits in a bank somewhere, doing nothing

WBUR reports on the fate of $4.6 million settlement Exxon-Mobil paid in 2009 for dumping oil in Chelsea Creek. Basically, it could wind up not being used to help clean up the creek at all. The BRA is apparently part of the problem, as is the fact that the money was dumped into a federal fund aimed at preserving giant marshes for migratory birds.

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Comments

The BRA being part of a problem? No way! Get outta here! :)

Anyone know where this brownfield actually is?

- J

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Yes, I know exactly where the brownfield is. It's been a vacant lot since they removed the oil tanks from the area. Nothing like having industry pollute your neighborhood, the government sit on the settlement, AND the land that could be used to beautify the area (if only they kept up with the maintenance - see the near by "urban wild" for a poor example of caring for public land). Yup, that's government that's "working for the people" alright. The people of the oil industry, the government authorities that stand to someday make money from the land, and anybody BUT the actual residents of the area. Its amazing that the people of the area don't drive around with their eyes OPEN before an election and keep the visuals in mind when they're voting out the political "leaders" that make the area a blight epicenter. Seems we're too accustomed to the shaft, and too accustomed to our officials however ineffective (for us) they may be.

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OK, when I asked "does anyone know where the brownfield is" I secretly meant "Please tell all of us on the list where the brownfield is". :-)

I see 'empty' spots near Merit park, on Forbes st and Wharf st. Maybe one of those places?

For 'poor urban wild" is the Belle Marsh you said isn't cared for well? (Haven't been there myself)

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They have maps of the whole Creek with all sorts of action plans. The Urban Wild was one of those victories and there was also a restoration that took place behind the Home Depot area in Chelsea in the Mill Creek (becomes Mill Creek after the bend at Revere) portion that leads to a new 1 acre park along the Creek and a walkway that runs along most of that portion. At the bend you have the new Forbes Development (giant white wind turbine) which is taking longer then expected due to the economy but should be up and running with condos in the next few years, that project also involved restoration. That portion of the Creek has seen wildlife come back (all sorts of birds and I even saw a coyote once and a swan that has become a local celeb.) I would love to see that replicated in the main portion of the Chelsea Creek over the course of the next 25 years and that federal money would be huge in getting the process started.

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I think the site in question is the old Hess property and actually has a Chelsea Street address.

Re: a previous poster’s comments “see the near by "urban wild" for a poor example of caring for public land. Yup, that's government that's "working for the people" alright.” I actually think the urban wild turned out pretty well – it’s certain segments of the East Boston population who use machetes to kill the newly planted trees, leave used condoms on the benches, and discard old TVs in the park. That’s hardly the City’s fault. Come on, celebrate diversity!

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Oh, you want to know where it is! Why didn't you say so!? (Just joshing there). Condor Street, East Boston side of Chelsea Creek, right by the "Urban Wild" if I'm not mistaken...

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The property in question used to be owned by the Hess Corporation. It's the large site sticking out into the Chelsea Creek, on Condor St., between Brooks and Putnam.

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I take it it's that big blobby thing that juts out in the middle, showing footprints of the former storage tanks and related industrial uses. (Presumably the area labeled Condor St Beach is the restored "urban wild" of which you speak?)

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