Letter: Flooding hazard diminishes the use of Robin Rug

Posted 5/12/22

To the editor: In addition to the finding that the usable space in Robin Rug has been inflated due to faulty math, a further reduction is needed because of the flooding hazard. The size elevation is …

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Letter: Flooding hazard diminishes the use of Robin Rug

Posted

To the editor:

In addition to the finding that the usable space in Robin Rug has been inflated due to faulty math, a further reduction is needed because of the flooding hazard.

The size elevation is under 10 feet and the basement even lower, while the ocean surge measured in Bristol during the 1938 hurricane was 15 feet above high tide. Sea level rise since then would adjust this standard to a minimum of 16 feet at present and some predictions place this much higher in the near future. The hurricane gates in Providence are built to withstand a surge of 20.5 feet to counter the threat.

The flood-prone lower parts of Robin Rug should be excluded from livable space. Also, the mechanicals that keep a building functioning must be moved to higher floors. This will take up more space that needs to be excluded. At some point the lower parking floor will be unusable due to flooding, even without a storm.

Beyond these adjustments, the development in such a flood-prone spot is in opposition to the recommendations of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) and all sensible planning. Does the Robin Rug development even conform to the rules and regulations of the CRMC? It certainly is not in accord with the preference for a managed retreat from the shore, as Warren is planning for a similar area.

These considerations and the looming horrendous parking problems and those from packing units with students should have doomed the project, which needs restrictions of no overnight parking in the neighborhood and no more than two unrelated tenants per unit attached to the project.

Robin Rug is a blight upon Bristol and the proposal before the town will worsen its effects and make the town more vulnerable to hurricanes and sea level rise while increasing the threat to public safety. The best solution by far would be to take down Robin Rug and open up Bristol’s beautiful harbor for the benefit of the Town’s people, visitors and businesses.

Patrick Barosh, PhD geologist
103 Aaron Ave.

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