September
12,
2007
By Robin Kaminski/The Daily Item
The Waterfront Master Plan prepared by
Sasaki Associates was unanimously approved by the City
Council Tuesday, paving the way for a 250-acre stretch
of land to be developed into prime real estate and retail
space.
If implemented, the project would create more than 3,000
housing units, 377,000 square feet of office space, more
than $330 million in annual retail sales, 9,000 construction
jobs, roughly 5,000 permanent jobs, and over $18 million
in annual property tax revenues.
Gazing out at the proposed property, City Council President
Timothy Phelan and Executive Director of the Economic Development & Industrial
Corporation (EDIC) James Cowdell, admit it's difficult
to envision what the area could potentially become.
An eroding landscape complete with litter strewn about
and obtrusive power lines, the property does, however,
boast an unprecedented view of Nahant and the skyline of
Boston, which Phelan said people would pay to live near.
The proposed development would create hotels, 10-20 story
luxury residences, and miles of attractions and retail
establishments to attract visitors to the city.
A major contingent of the plan is to redirect power lines
that are currently situated by the General Edwards Bridge
and are impeding waterfront development, to the other side
of the Lynnway.
The city recently received $2.5 million in state funds to
assist in the process.
Strolling along the waterfront property located behind Wal-Mart
on the Lynnway, City Council President Timothy Phelan said
it's an area few people in the city have seen.
"The area has suffered years of neglect, there's a 30-acre
landfill on the property and it needs a lot of help," he
said. "But we've come so far, and now we have a blueprint
for the future."
Cowdell said the project would breathe new life into the
city and alter its appearance to surrounding communities.
"Ten years ago, it was just a thought to remove the
power lines on the waterfront," he said. "Now all
city officials are moving in the same direction. This really
a project for our kids and grandkids to benefit from."
Phelan said a series of public hearings would be held for
residents to take part in the process, along with zoning
meetings to decide which areas will have high rises constructed
on them.
"By having the blue print in place, it really opens
up the door," he said. "However, someone built
a road back here, so they must have had a plan at one point
too!"
Cowdell said the next step in the process is to get zoning
approval and to negotiate the heights of proposed buildings,
set back from the ocean and other issues with the Ordinance
Committee.
"When you come into the city by the General Edwards
Bridge, you know that we can do better than the view that
people see," he said. "This will change the face
of Lynn, and I'm so excited that everyone is working together
on this."
Ward 7 City Councilor Richard Ford said the land is an untapped
asset waiting to be explored and transformed into a higher
use neighborhood as an expression of Lynn.
"The waterfront plan is perhaps the most comprehensive,
inclusive, and thorough study of the waterfront ever conducted," he
said. "The proposed plan will have a positive influence
on the area and will lead to economic revitalization not
only on the waterfront, but in the city as a whole." |
