Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building Structural Enhancements Project
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
EDWARD J. SCHWARTZ FEDERAL BUILDING STRUCTURAL ENHANCEMENTS PROJECT SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Final Environmental Assessment Prepared by the United States General Services Administration July 2019 FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT EDWARD J. SCHWARTZ FEDERAL BUILDING STRUCTURAL ENHANCEMENTS PROJECT SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA JULY 2019 Lead Agency: U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) 50 United Nations Plaza San Francisco, CA, 94102 Lead Agency Contact: Mr. Osmahn Kadri Regional Environmental Quality Advisor/NEPA Project Manager Portfolio Management Division (9PTC) U.S. General Services Administration 50 United Nations Plaza, Room 3345, Mailbox 9 San Francisco, California, 94102 Telephone: (415) 522-3617 Email: [email protected] Availability of Final EA: This document is available for public review at the San Diego Central Library, located at 330 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101, and on the GSA website (www.gsa.gov/nepalibrary). Abstract: This document is an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building Structural Enhancements Project. The Project is located at 880 Front Street in San Diego, California at the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building and United States Courthouse. The Project is proposed in order to improve structural safety for the public traveling underneath the building and for the tenants occupying the building above the Front Street underpass. This Final EA analyzes an Action Alternative and a No Action Alternative. The Action Alternative would consist of structural enhancements to the portion of the existing Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building over Front Street between E and F streets. Existing columns and beams supporting the building at the Front Street underpass would be reinforced with new steel beams and column support structures and pre-cast concrete paneling. Construction would require full and partial closure of Front Street between Broadway and F Street. Street closure options during construction of the Action Alternative are being considered and a comprehensive Traffic Control Plan will be prepared to address the street closure. Under the No Action Alternative, structural enhancements to the existing Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building would not occur. Public Comments: The Draft EA was made publicly available on November 19, 2018 for a 30-day period. The public review period closed on December 17, 2018. The Notice of Availability for the Draft EA was published in the Federal Register on November 19, 2018. A public meeting took place on November 28, 2018 in the Downtown San Diego community. In preparing this Final EA, GSA considered public comments received regarding the Draft EA during the public review period. This Final EA contains revisions to the draft document based, in part, on the public comments received on the Draft EA. Revisions are indicated in this Final EA by a line in the margin. This page intentionally left blank Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building Structural Enhancements Project Environmental Assessment Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................................. S-1 CHAPTER 1.0 – PURPOSE AND NEED ......................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Proposed Action ............................................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Purpose and Need of the Proposed Action ..................................................................... 1-1 1.3 Purpose and Scope of the EA ........................................................................................... 1-1 1.3.1 Purpose of the EA ............................................................................................... 1-1 1.3.2 Scope of the EA ................................................................................................... 1-2 1.4 Document Organization ................................................................................................... 1-2 1.5 Public Involvement and Agency Coordination ................................................................. 1-3 1.6 Environmental Review Process ........................................................................................ 1-3 CHAPTER 2.0 – PROPOSED ACTION AND ALTERNATIVES .......................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Action Alternative ............................................................................................................ 2-1 2.1.1 Structural Enhancements ................................................................................... 2-1 2.1.2 Street Closure ..................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1.3 Construction Methodology and Schedule .......................................................... 2-2 2.1.4 Best Management Practices ............................................................................... 2-3 2.2 No Action Alternative ...................................................................................................... 2-5 2.3 Permits and Approvals Needed ....................................................................................... 2-5 CHAPTER 3.0 – AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT; ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES; AND AVOIDANCE, MINIMIZATION, AND/OR MITIGATION MEASURES ............................................. 3.1-1 3.1 Land Use and Community Issues .................................................................................. 3.1-1 3.1.1 Existing and Future Land Use ........................................................................... 3.1-1 3.1.2 Consistency with State, Regional, and Local Plans .......................................... 3.1-3 3.1.3 Parks and Recreational Facilities ..................................................................... 3.1-8 3.1.4 Community Cohesion and Community Character ......................................... 3.1-10 3.1.5 Environmental Justice .................................................................................... 3.1-18 3.1.6 Environmental Health and Safety Risks to Children ...................................... 3.1-20 3.2 Traffic and Transportation/Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities ....................................... 3.2-1 3.2.1 Regulatory Setting ........................................................................................... 3.2-1 3.2.2 Affected Environment ...................................................................................... 3.2-1 3.2.3 Environmental Consequences ....................................................................... 3.2-15 3.2.4 Avoidance, Minimization, and/or Mitigation Measures ................................ 3.2-31 i July 2019 Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building Structural Enhancements Project Environmental Assessment Table of Contents 3.3 Noise and Vibration ...................................................................................................... 3.3-1 3.3.1 Regulatory Setting ........................................................................................... 3.3-1 3.3.2 Affected Environment ...................................................................................... 3.3-1 3.3.3 Environmental Consequences ......................................................................... 3.3-2 3.3.4 Avoidance, Minimization, and/or Mitigation Measures .................................. 3.3-4 3.4 Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Emissions .................................................................. 3.4-1 3.4.1 Regulatory Setting ........................................................................................... 3.4-1 3.4.2 Affected Environment ...................................................................................... 3.4-5 3.4.3 Environmental Consequences ......................................................................... 3.4-9 3.4.4 Avoidance, Minimization, and/or Mitigation Measures ................................ 3.4-12 3.5 Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitments of Resources .......................................... 3.5-1 3.5.1 Action Alternative ............................................................................................ 3.5-1 3.5.2 No Action Alternative ...................................................................................... 3.5-1 3.6 Cumulative Impacts ...................................................................................................... 3.6-1 3.6.1 Regulatory Setting ........................................................................................... 3.6-1 3.6.2 Affected Environment ...................................................................................... 3.6-1 3.6.3 Environmental Consequences ......................................................................... 3.6-2 3.6.4 Avoidance, Minimization and/or Mitigation Measures ................................... 3.6-6 CHAPTER 4.0 – PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT AND COORDINATION ................................................................... 4-1 4.1 Public Scoping Process ..................................................................................................... 4-1 4.1.1 Notice of Intent ................................................................................................... 4-1 4.2 Consultation and Coordination with Public Agencies .....................................................