Haley and Aldrich Reports, 1980 -

Collection

Identifier: 038

Staff Only

Collection Overview

This collection contains environmental reports authored by Massachusetts-based consulting firm Haley & Aldrich that were deposited with the Cambridge Public Library, usually in accordance with a Public Involvement Plan developed for a particular project. While most of the collection consists of printed reports, there are also audiocassettes and transcripts of public meetings held in June 1999. Some of the reports are on CD or DVD rather than in paper format.

Dates

1980 to Present

Creator

Haley & Aldrich (Organization)

Access to Collection

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The materials in this collection are subject to copyright and intellectual property restrictions. It is the responsibility of the researcher to understand and observe copyright law and to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyright. Researchers must obtain written permission from the copyright owner(s) if they wish to publish materials from this collection. Questions concerning copyright and permission to publish should be directed to the Cambridge Room, Cambridge Public Library Archives and Special Collections.

History

The reports authored by Haley & Aldrich cover three Cambridge locations: W.R. Grace in North Cambridge, Harvard University's Oxford Street parking facility, and Harvard University Law School at Everett Street and Massachusetts Avenue.

The W.R. Grace site, locaed 62 Whittmore Avenue in Cambridge near Rindge Avenue along Alewife Brook Parkway and next to Russell Field, was polluted with 650,000 to 1.2 million pounds of asbestos due to a history of manufacturing processes that contaminated soils and underground water[1, 2]. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, volitile organic substances, and heavy metals have also been found on the site and adjacent Russell Field. Before the 20th Century, the site was a marshy field, mined for clay by several companies.[3] From 1919 to 1940, Dewey and Almy manufactured rubber and rubber based products and later developed dispersants, such as DAXAD, before being bought by W.R. Grace in 1954[4]. After three decades of transportation planning, including the extension of Route 2, the proposed Inner Belt plan, and the construction of the MBTA's Red Line, Cambridge's Community Development issued a master plan for Alewife redevelopment.[5] In 1987, W.R. Grace submitted proposals for an office complex along the 27 acres.[6] After years of testing revealing contaminated soil and groundwater at both the site and the neighboring Russell Field, plans for development were halted. W.R. Grace hired Haley & Aldrich, Inc., an underground engineering and environmental consulting firm, to manage the site, which includes planning for development, participating in community planning, and testing.[7]

In 2002, Harvard University was required to submit a Release Abatement Measure (RAM) plan for its Oxford Street parking facility.

In 2007, Harvard University was cited for a release or possible release of oil and/or hazardous material at Story and Wyeth Halls and Baker House at 23 Everett Street. Story and Wyeth Halls were dormitories for Harvard Law School students. Wyeth Hall was demolished in 2007 for the construction of Harvard's newest law school building at 1585 Massachusetts Avenue.

[1] Alewife Study Group, "Public Meeting at W. R. Grace, 16 December 2004" Flyer, retrieved 27 July 2017 here:http://www.alewife.org/grace/community_feedback/2004_12_16_meetingatgraceflyer.html

[2]Letter to Commissioner of Environmental Protection, David B. Struhs, November 12, 1997, from Alewife Study Group, retrieved 27 July 2017: http://www.alewife.org/grace/community_feedback/1997_11_12_public_officials_struhs_of_dep_asbestos.html

Alewife Study Group, "Brief history of the W. R. Grace site in North Cambridge, Massachusetts and surrounding areas," retrieved 27 July 2017: http://www.alewife.org/grace/chronology_by_decade.html [3], Ibid. [4], Ibid. [5], Ibid. [6], Ibid. [7], Ibid.

Extent

15.6 Linear Feet

13.1 Cubic Feet

14 boxes (12 cartons, 1 Hollinger box, 1 oversize (8 x 13.75 x 5.5))

350 Items

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Organization of Collection

This collection is grouped into 2 series:

Series I: W.R. Grace, 1980- present

Series II:Harvard Projects, 2002-2013

About 350 items grouped chronologically within each series. While only a broad chronological listing within each series is given here, many of the reports were previously cataloged individually in the Library’s online public access catalogue.