I recently came across the latest news about the proposed hotel development. It seems to me that the planners are living in a dream world and have lost touch with reality.
Where will the employees park their cars? I assume they are expected to live in nearby mansions and walk to work, thus eliminating the need for cars.
What about tour buses, taxis for guests, and convention attendees? Are they supposed to be airlifted in and out of the hotel?
The proposed underground parking raises several questions. What lies beneath the property? Could it be solid rock that requires blasting with dynamite? With the increasing rainfall due to climate change, where will all this water drain to? Will it flood the underground parking area and inadvertently create a swimming pool?
Water usage is another concern. An average hotel room uses between 100 to 400 gallons of water per day. This isn’t just for guest showers but also includes laundry, toilet flushing, dishwashing, and room cleaning. Can our Water Department handle the treatment of all this sewage, cleaning chemicals, and guest cologne? In times of drought, how will this excessive water usage be managed? Will we have to cut off their supply to ensure residents have water?
Existing stores in the area also pose a problem. How will customers access these stores and where will they park? Will they be teleported in and out of the shops?
And what about trash? Where will it be stored and collected?
These are all post-construction concerns. But what about the construction phase itself? How will they manage to build this in one of the busiest parts of town without causing disruption? I know from experience how disruptive house renovations can be, let alone a major construction project like this. What routes will construction and supply trucks use? I hope they won’t be allowed through residential areas and will stick to Memorial Boulevard.
I personally walk everywhere and avoid cars as much as possible, so I won’t be directly affected by the traffic. However, most people aren’t like me.
If this hotel is built, I will go out of my way to avoid the area, if only to keep the image of another ostentatious mansion out of my mind.
But seriously, think about it.
Susan Sarantos
(A resident who still refers to this area as Almacs.)
Source: newportthisweek.com